Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Douglass.
Hi Brandon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I started training parkour in 2010, a year before I graduated from CU Boulder. After University, I decided to commit to pursuing a career in parkour and within a few years, I had turned pro and won 5 international titles in competition.
I simultaneously had helped to create the largest network of parkour gyms in the US, an online curriculum for parkour, and a prominent and influential clothing company. In 2014 I also started what was quite possibly the world’s first parkour-themed podcast, “Height Drop.”
As I grew older and wiser, I my interests continued to expand beyond the world of movement, and I’ve likewise grown my podcast guest list and audience base.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have had several terrific injuries that could have put me out of being able to move the way I do. One of the most significant resulted in having my meniscus removed early on in my training. I have also suffered two concussive incidents training parkour, which I consider to be the most impactful and worst injuries of my career.
Parkour also does not offer many avenues to make a living. It was difficult to dedicate myself to becoming the kind of practitioner I wanted to be because I was sacrificing stability and safety by choosing a less beaten path.
My biggest struggle resulted from my biggest achievements. As I accomplished practically everything I had set out to do in the world of parkour, I grew out of the life I had been busily constructing for nearly a decade. Letting go of the past, continuing to grow, creating new dreams for myself, and repurposing my talents and gifts for the world is my current, and biggest challenge yet.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known as a unique mover and voice in the parkour community. I’ve competed in and won parkour competitions several times. Notably, I was the first two-time champion of the Sport Parkour League’s SPEED event.
I’m quite known for being the co-founder of the brand MYRM, which produced films and clothing from 2014-2018, and became one of the most recognized brands in the community. With my teammates and fellow co-founders Dylan Baker and Knox Mannino, we developed the US parkour community’s signature “descent” style of parkour lines.
As the creator and host of the podcast ‘Height Drop’, I specialize in candid discussions with many of the parkour community’s top athletes and contributors and discuss a wide range of topics including philosophy, spirituality, movement, psychology, and self-development.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Like I just mentioned, I’ve had business partners and close friends that helped me learn and develop my parkour skills as well as myself as an individual. My friends Dylan and Knox, are among the most cherished of those relationships.
The large and powerful community of parkour practitioners worldwide, from founding members of the Yamakasi to local networks like the APEX Schools of Movement I helped to build, and many others from all over earth have inspired me and supported me along the way.
The biggest credit has to go to my family, consisting of my brother Kyle, Mom Giannina, and Dad Glenn Douglass. Without their genetics and of course their love, guidance, and support as a child, I would have never been able to achieve or pursue the things I did in parkour.
Lastly, a huge credit goes out to my love Kira Nguyen. She has helped me discover new dimensions I did not know existed and provided me with a dream partnership.
Contact Info:
- Email: heightdrop@gmail.com
- Website: heightdrop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandondouglass
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/heightdrop
