Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Winslow.
Hi Jacob, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I used to jump off of and climb everything that looked fun as a kid. I did flips on trampolines and tried in the grass a bunch and never got close anywhere close to landing them. When I turned 16, I finally learned what I was doing my whole life actually had a name and structure to it. It was called Parkour. So I went down a rabbit hole, watching every video I could find. Watching tutorials, learning names of tricks, watching the best of the best. Then I decided to try everything I saw, and at the time, I supervised an amusement park. So I practiced every single day, doing flips off of picnic tables, learning new vaults, learned how to land safely, I had taught myself all the basic moves and more while training for 2 years with nobody but my younger brother Tyler.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh not at all. The first 2 years I didn’t know a lot of safety measures when it came to parkour. I broke my ankle within a couple months. It took me out of it for about 6 months, but I started again as soon as I was able! I’ve had quite a few injuries doing what I do. It’s like any extreme sport, there are risks involved in everything we do. We practice our movements hundreds and hundreds of times before ever doing them in a “riskier” scenario. Accidents happen, the goal is to be safe and focused always during your training, and never try anything you’re not ready for. That is why after 4 years of training my team, Phoenix Freerunning and I opened Phoenix Freerunning Academy, and taught kids and adults alike how to safely practice parkour as the Only Parkour gym in all of Michigan for 8 years.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started training with more parkour athletes after I moved back to Michigan from Georgia. We trained at the First Parkour gym in Michigan called Freedom Freerunning Academy. We all became coaches there until it was shut down only a few months after I moved back. We knew we couldn’t let that stop us from teaching and keeping people safe during their training. So we taught classes for 2 years anywhere we possibly could, schools, libraries, parks, gymnastic gyms, downtown areas with cool architecture. We taught everywhere until we raised enough money to open the Second, but the Only Parkour Gym in Michigan, Phoenix Freerunning Academy.
I managed and coached at Phoenix Freerunning Academy for 8 years. We taught thousands of people how to train safe while practicing parkour and to become the athletes they always wanted to be!
As a team we coached our classes, we performed for many different crowds including the Pistons Half Time Shows, we were stuntmen in movies. Anything that could involve Parkour, we were doing it.
After 8 amazing years, our gym, Phoenix Freerunning experienced an electrical fire that burned away everything in the facility. The Phoenix had returned to Ashes.
Until 2 years later! We recently had a soft opening and the Phoenix will rise again soon!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We have an instagram for Phoenix Freerunning Academy, and I also have my own @Sideshow_flok. It’s my goal to travel the world teaching parkour, even teaching parkour online, and certifying other coaches worldwide. I would always be open to people reaching out and collaborating with us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://phoenixfreerunning.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sideshow_flok
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwBoeg1PY/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-winslow-bb417b231
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@phoenixfreerunning
