Motivation Motivation

Why Movement is My Passion (a love letter)

single-leg-squat-smallIt took a long time for me to call myself a movement artist.To fully accept that title, I felt like I needed to be really committed. All in, you know?It was similar to calling myself a writer or a martial artist. I didn't claim those badges until at least a year into working daily on the craft. Even then I felt butterflies in my stomach.Movement has been different for me though, a more serious love. I feel more drawn to taking my time with the relationship, and not rushing all in. I know this is a lifelong affair, not simply a weekend fling at a random workshop.No. This is a slow kind of burn.Don't misunderstand me, it has feverish uproars -- fits of obsession with reaching a milestone in a handstand or excitement over a new flavor of movement. There are lulls as well: patterns and routine set in, or frustration builds, and I question what the hell I'm doing this for.But beneath these waves is an ocean of depth. The exploration of it will not end before I die.This is why I choose movement as my art.

I love movement because...

  • It brings me closer to other human beings.
  • Nothing compares to the feeling I get when I reach a breakthrough or unlock a new skill.
  • Every day is a new journey with new lessons to teach, and many old ones to relearn again.
  • My relationship to movement and my practice is an incredible vehicle for personal development and constant growth.
  • There is always room for new exploration, new ranges of motion, new patterns and new ways to express yourself.
  • Movement allows you to try on different emotions, textures and qualities -- how does courage move? or radiance? or wildness?
  • Movement is medicine -- the right kind of movement can mobilize trapped energy or heal old wounds. It also gets you out of your head and into your body.
  • It forces me to interact with the world and my environment. The more I move with nature, the more I learn about myself and my history as a human.
  • It just feels fucking good to move.

Movement, I confess: You had me at hello. Thank you for finding me.—JonathanPS: To my beautiful wife, I hope you understand.

Read More
Motivation, Uncategorized Motivation, Uncategorized

Movement Progress Report - January 2015

One of the experiments I'm going to start doing with Move Heroically is sharing with your my progress on key markers each months. Some months will vary in their goals.In January, for instance, one of my main goals was the Dragon Squat (behind the leg pistol squat), which I accomplished. Since I checked that off the list, I won't be measuring that for February.My major goals in January were:

  • Handstand pushup (to yoga block with wall)
  • One arm chinup (w/ assistance)
  • Front Lever (adv tuck)
  • Back Lever (adv tuck)
  • Side splits
  • Front splits
  • Dragon Squat

Initial testing January 5th, 2015:

A1. HSPU to 3.5 inch block – 5 repsA2. One arm chin-up progression– R = 4 reps– L = 4 repsB1. Front lever (adv. tuck) = 13.63sB2. Back lever(adv. Tuck) = 13.89sC1. Middle split = 14.5 inchesC2 Front split– L forward = 80.75 inches– R forward = 81.50 inchesD1. Dragon Squat - supporting leg at 90 degrees

Retesting February 2nd, 2015 (28 days later)

JM Side Split JanuaryA1. HSPU to 3.5 inch block – 11 reps (120% improvement)A2. One arm chin-up progression– R = 7 reps (75% improvement)– L = 6 reps (50% improvement)B1. Front lever (adv. tuck) = 23.51s (72.5% improvement)B2. Back lever(adv. tuck) = 26.96s (94.1% improvement)C1. Middle split = 10.5 inches (38% improvement)C2 Front split– L forward = 82.50 inches– R forward = 83.00 inchesD1. Dragon Squat - full range of motion on left leg, right leg 90% there!Here's a video of some experimentation I did with single leg squatting patterns:

Playing with single leg squatting patterns.

A video posted by Jonathan Mead (@jonathanmead) on

In the future I hope to do more before and after pictures, as well as more videos of movements the new range of motion and strength allowed me to explore.Credit goes to my coach Justin Goodhart for his awesome programming and guidance helping me along my journey.For February I'll be focusing on much of the same strength and mobility goals, but adding more movement flow work into my practice. I'm focusing on these five moves:

  1. Croc (single arm lever)
  2. Lizard crawl
  3. Handstand pushup
  4. Butterfly kick
  5. Rotation into low bridge

What movement goals are you working on? What are you doing to track your progress?Leave a comment below.

Read More