Mark Toorock: Commercialization, representation, and play

What role should competition and commercialization play in shaping the future of Parkour?

Mark Toorock shares his thoughts on the commercialization of parkour, FIG and competitions, as well as the direction parkour is headed. He also opens up about his personal goals for parkour, raising the socially acceptable age of play, and how he sees himself within the community. Mark wraps up by discussing the power of parkour to benefit all people.

"The thing for me about Parkour is, if I can make one person that used to walk with their head down, walk with their head up, that’s the change in the world. We don't change the world, we change a person." ~ Mark Toorock (32:32)

The conversation explores the evolving landscape of Parkour, focusing on commercialization, competition, and the community's shifting mindset. Mark Toorock reflects on the initial resistance within the Parkour community to monetization and contrasts it with the growing acceptance as practitioners age and recognize the need to sustain their passion financially. The discussion highlights the complexity of maintaining Parkour’s spirit while enabling financial opportunities, drawing parallels to artists who monetize their craft without compromising authenticity.

Competition is another critical focus, with Mark advocating for a non-competitive foundation in Parkour while embracing competitions based on Parkour movements. He stresses that competition need not undermine the spirit of Parkour and can coexist with a community-driven, collaborative ethos. The conversation touches on the potential risks of external organizations, like the International Gymnastics Federation, attempting to control Parkour competitions and the broader implications for public perception. Additionally, Mark emphasizes the importance of maintaining play as a socially acceptable activity for adults, advocating for a culture that values lifelong movement and exploration.

Takeaways

Commercialization of Parkour — The community’s initial aversion to making money from Parkour has shifted as practitioners recognize the need to sustain their involvement.

Parkour as a Profession — Many who once resisted monetization now seek ways to make Parkour their career, reflecting personal growth and practical needs.

Competition and Parkour — Parkour can remain non-competitive at its core while allowing competitions to highlight athleticism and skill.

Dual Nature of Competitions — Competitions can coexist with the collaborative, non-competitive practice of Parkour without diminishing the community spirit.

External Influence — There is concern over outside organizations, like FIG, attempting to co-opt Parkour for profit or recognition, which could misrepresent the practice.

Cultural Impact — Parkour’s visibility and public perception could change significantly through organized competitions at national and international levels.

Parkour for All Ages — The practice spans generations, with both young children and seniors benefiting from participation.

Social Norms and Play — Mark’s mission is to normalize play for adults, challenging societal norms that discourage play as people age.

Inclusivity in Parkour — Parkour creates a space where background, age, and social differences dissolve, fostering unity and shared experience.

Resources

American Parkour — The organization founded by Mark Toorock, dedicated to promoting Parkour through training, events, and education.

Urban Freeflow — One of the foundational Parkour organizations co-founded by Mark Toorock, contributing to Parkour’s spread globally.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

--- Hello👋 I'm Craig Constantine.

In the Movers Mindset podcast, I talk with movement enthusiasts to learn who they are, what they do, and why they do it. I'm interested in the nature and philosophy of movement and in exploring themes like independence, self-direction, and human excellence. My interests color each conversation and provide some structure to Movers Mindset. But since I like to take the scenic route, every conversation ends up going somewhere unique.

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