“The biggest challenge is getting people to accept there is value in risk-taking. I think people today are afraid of risk (in its many forms) due to fear of the unknowns, lack of self-trust… but inherent, if not fundamental, to meaningful physical play is risk-taking.
So I argue: It’s actually more dangerous to NOT have spaces where you can take risks (safely) because then you’re never really going to be able to learn how to deftly navigate those complex emotions (fear, doubt, anxiety, etc) that you experience when facing something that really challenges you.”
I was invited to participate in Change Makers, an initiative lead by the director of Lean In NYC, and speak on parkour, play, design, and the importance of risk. I hope it inspires at least a few people to take the leap, try parkour, and find a way to add play into their everyday lives.