What We Are About at Parkour East Texas
Hannah Waddle • May 27, 2025
Helping Youth Grow Through Parkour
At Parkour East Texas, we focus on preparing youth for success in life—mentally, emotionally, and physically. We use parkour not just for fitness, but as a method to build character and life skills.
Most people want to be great at something, but few embrace being bad first in order to become great. We teach kids to value the learning process, celebrate mistakes, and pursue challenges with grit and humility.
Learning Through Failure
Our coaches guide students through challenges by breaking movements into progressive steps. This helps kids:
- Build confidence
- Learn that failure is necessary for growth
- Embrace the struggle as a sign of progress
Success in life requires us to stretch beyond our comfort zones. Parkour gives kids early exposure to this powerful truth.
Receiving Feedback with Humility
We help students develop critical thinking skills and the ability to self-assess. Instructors provide constructive feedback, and students quickly see results by applying it. This mindset carries over to school, relationships, and future workplaces.
Students learn that:
- Feedback is a tool for growth, not criticism
- Improvement comes from curiosity and action
- Self-assessment boosts resilience and confidence
A Place for Every Child
Our inclusive community welcomes children of all abilities. Students, including those with ADHD or other neurodivergent traits, find a safe space to explore, express, and succeed.
Parkour becomes a personal journey of self-discovery and transformation. Everyone improves at their own pace, and our program celebrates individual progress.
“We help students believe that messing up is GOOD because it shows we’re pushing boundaries and growing.”
Other Posts
A New Kind of Support for Teens LAUNCH is a group coaching experience designed to help teens: Process emotions Build confidence Break unhealthy thought patterns Over 8 weekly sessions , students learn practical tools for regulating emotions, setting goals, and developing a growth mindset. The Curriculum Includes: Hope vs. fear decision-making Body awareness and regulation Identity and belief transformation Brain science explained simply Mindset rewiring tools Each student receives a workbook and participates in weekly challenges and discussions. Ideal for Teens Who Are: Anxious or withdrawn Emotionally reactive Lacking motivation or focus Struggling with self-esteem “Teens leave LAUNCH with the tools to handle emotions, take ownership of their future, and create change that lasts.”
1. Call Out Identity Children live up to who they believe they are. Use phrases like: “You’re a hard worker.” “You bounce back quickly.” “You’re a leader.” Reinforcing a positive identity helps kids develop internal strength. 2. Teach the 5 Rs We use the 5 Rs for Nervous System Regulation: Rest Rock Roll Rhythm Repetition These help reset the brain and body when emotions run high. 3. Shift from Fixing to Listening Instead of correcting immediately, try: “Wow, that sounds frustrating. Tell me more.” Validation opens the door for collaboration and growth. "When kids feel seen and safe, their behavior naturally improves.”
Movement Is Medicine At Parkour East Texas, we use parkour not only to build physical strength, but also to foster emotional stability and mental growth . Modern kids face enormous stress and overstimulation. Our programs help rewire the brain for: Confidence Focus Emotional balance How We Use Brain Science Cross-body movements support whole-brain integration Repetitive sequences develop motor memory and regulation Challenge-based learning fosters resilience and problem-solving We also train our staff in **NeuroCoaching techniques** that go far beyond sports instruction. The Result? Kids who: Handle setbacks better Build positive habits Feel empowered from the inside out “When you combine movement with mindset and science, you create a playground for transformation.”
1. Regulates the Nervous System Parkour’s natural movements support the vestibular and proprioceptive systems , helping kids feel more grounded and emotionally balanced. 2. Promotes Cross-Body Movement Movements like crawling, rolling, and climbing support brain integration (corpus callosum development), boosting cognitive function and focus. 3. Builds Confidence Through Success Our progressive structure ensures that every student experiences small wins that build motivation and self-worth. 4. Provides a Healthy Risk Outlet Parkour helps kids understand calculated risk , developing their ability to make decisions, assess safety, and try hard things in a controlled setting. 5. Encourages Emotional Expression Movement is a powerful tool for processing emotions. We teach kids to express frustration, excitement, and joy through healthy physical outlets. “Parkour empowers kids to feel in control of their bodies, minds, and emotions—especially those who experience the world differently.”
1. Safe Community Teens need to feel: Safe to be seen Safe to fail Safe to be themselves At Parkour East Texas, students know that their best effort is enough . They are seen and celebrated without comparison. 2. A Growth Process Many teens feel overwhelmed by expectations. They need a framework that breaks big goals into manageable milestones. We teach students: How to move from “I can’t” to “I can” To value feedback and persistence That real growth takes time and repetition 3. Healthy Mindset Tools When kids lack tools for regulating emotions and mindset, they can spiral quickly. That’s why we teach: Confidence-building habits Resilience through movement Tools for calming the mind and body “When kids have the tools to process emotions and setbacks, they don’t just survive—they thrive.”
What Is Rise-N-Lead? The Rise-N-Lead Internship is a leadership training program for Level 3+ students who are interested in coaching, public speaking, and developing life skills. Interns attend **monthly leadership meetings**, help coach classes, and work toward leading parts of class under supervision. What Interns Learn Public speaking and communication Problem-solving and creativity Time management and professionalism Personal growth and goal setting Interns also begin preparing for an eventual **ADAPT Level 1** coaching certification—should they pursue a career in parkour instruction. More Than a Job—A Launchpad This program helps students: Step into leadership roles with confidence Build a coaching identity Practice service and humility Inspire others through mentorship “One of the best ways to learn is to teach. Rise-N-Lead turns students into role models, preparing them for life and leadership.”
What Is Open Gym? Open Gym is a 1–2 hour session where students get to choose what they work on. It’s an informal training time filled with opportunity, community, and creativity. Why Attend Open Gym? Practice specific skills at your own pace Explore new movements and challenges Interact with coaches for feedback or inspiration Deepen your connection with the parkour community A Creative Outlet Unlike structured classes, Open Gym allows students to: Develop their own “parkour vision” Train freely in a safe space Try new skills in a low-pressure environment Community and Connection These sessions aren’t just about training—they’re about building relationships. Coaches and students often play games or just hang out, reinforcing the sense of belonging that defines Parkour East Texas. “Open Gym is where friendships are built and confidence is unlocked through self-driven exploration.” Access Available to **unlimited members** Upgrades available for 1x/week members
More Than a Gym—A Movement We are a mobile and gym-based parkour program focused on teaching youth how to move safely, grow in character, and find joy in challenges. What to Expect Each week, students meet with a coach at a designated park or at our Kilgore gym. Class structure includes: Warm-up Skill work and review Games and challenges Team activities Classes are built to be fun, inspiring, and challenging—meeting every student where they are. What Your Child Will Learn To embrace the growth process To value effort over perfection To collaborate and lead within a team Safe and efficient movement techniques over, under, and through obstacles Where We Offer Classes We proudly serve youth across East Texas, including: Home base: Kilgore Satellite locations: Nacogdoches, Marshall, Carthage, Lufkin, Tyler, Lindale, and Canton We’re also raising funds to launch a gym in Nacogdoches and expand community events throughout the region. “Our goal is to make quality parkour instruction accessible and empowering for all East Texas youth.”
The Heart of Parkour East Texas Behind every jump, vault, and game is a coach with a purpose. Our team is passionate about more than just teaching movement—they’re here to inspire growth. During one of our weekly professional development meetings, we asked our coaches a simple question: *“Why do you coach?”* Their answers say everything about the culture we’re building. In Their Own Words Coach Anthony: “I coach for the joy of watching people grow in skill and confidence. I coach to build community. Parkour has changed my life, and I want others to experience that too.” Coach Aschton: “I love seeing kids develop. Coaching is my way of motivating others and sharing my love for parkour.” Coach Cotton: “Parkour gave me confidence and purpose. Coaching lets me help others find the same. Seeing students succeed and return each week excited is the best part.” Coach Abbey: “I coach to help young people recognize and use their God-given talents. I want to be a light for my students and foster a space for athletic and personal growth.” Coaching with Purpose Each coach at Parkour East Texas is committed to creating a positive, character-focused atmosphere. We believe in: Mentorship over instruction Growth over perfection Encouragement over competition
Parkour Is More Than Movement It’s a mindset. A way of viewing the world. A method of developing resilience, humility, and strength. Growth Through Grace and Grit We teach students to: Accept imperfection without shame Celebrate individual learning styles Turn challenges into growth opportunities In parkour, everyone progresses at their own pace. There's no scoreboard—just progress. Creativity Without Constraints Unlike gymnastics, parkour has few rules. Students learn safe movement principles and then express themselves freely using their strengths and creativity. Community That Lifts You Up Parkour creates a family. Students build confidence not only in movement but also in relationships, emotional stability, and self-belief. “Parkour is an incredible therapy for kids with ADHD, Autism, or low self-esteem. It helps them feel strong, capable, and connected.”
