Episode
#38. Dan Edwardes. How to let the environment be the teacher.
- Published
- Mar 16, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3716
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Summary
Dan Edwards returns to the podcast to talk what he calls a “quiet crisis” in parkour coaching - a drift from a real-world practice into something more standardised. Andrew and Dan explore why this drift is understandable (insurance, schools, certifications, parent expectations, safety rules, social media), but also what gets lost when coaching becomes too legible: the spirit of parkour as a practice of adaptability and growing up capable. They talk about outdoor training as the main event (not the optional extra), how adversity and uncertainty are central to real learning, why “perfect” technique can become a trap, and what it means to coach as a provocateur rather than a lecturer. They finish on the bigger picture: declining physical literacy, shrinking spaces for children to roam, and why the long-term solution is rebuilding environments where kids can play, struggle, negotiate risk, and become capable. Really recommend taking the time to read Dan's blog: Dan Edwardes Blog More about Parkour Generations can be found here. If you've not listened to the first conversation with Dan, you can find it here - have a look at Episode Number 4 of the Playful Nature Podcast.