If we are to move in nature (or anywhere, for that matter) for any reason, we need to know how to be true to our nature: our biomechanics, our function, our human ecology, etc.

To help and offer advice, Damien Norris, fitness trainer, fitness expert, joins us to discuss his journey from broken gymnast -- injuries, dysfunctions, mobility issues -- to student and expert in natural human movement in all its richness and variety. Damien shares what he learned in his movement career so that we can do things better, with more insight and wisdom. He lets us know why we should do MovNat/natural movement, how to do it, what to do, and what we can do mentally and physically to be more safe.

We discuss:
-his background
-his time in gymnastics
-how we was affected negatively by gymnastics
-his time between gymnastics and returning to fitness
-his journey to Parkour and the practice of George Hebert
-what MovNat is
-his accomplishments in MovNat
-how MovNat helps you
-what you can do to slowly, smartly, and wisely become a movement expert in the outdoors

Note: as Damien says in the interview, we should be able to take action in most any circumstance -- but not when we are injured! Neither Damien nor I are advocating exercise or movement training inappropriate to an injury. Damien was segueing off my discussion to make a point, not saying I should have done anything different with my knee injury! Be wise.

In the story I was telling in this episode, I was doing a balance test on some 2x4s: walk forward along the entire length of two 2x4s, walk backward, walk forward, walk backward, turn 4 times (2 left and 2 right), do 2 tripods extensions, then walk off the boards -- all without coming off even once and all with good technique. I did not do my turns on the balls of my feet, but did them with more of my foot (as I had been practicing), so I did not pass the test. I had to submit a video when I had a chance to a week later. It was during this that I was so tired, because I was so out of shape from my knee injury, that I felt like I could not go on and like I had to step off the boards, like i had nothing mentally or physically in the tank. But, because of years of wise practice, I powered through -- not like some "triumph of the will" Nazi thing, but rather in a mindful, alert, experienced way. I had done such things before, and I was constantly monitoring (the whole Level I weekend) my physical abilities to make sure I was staying within my zone/envelope of competence, and not going beyond that into the zone of injury and self-destruction.

About Damien: "Damien is a natural movement specialist who has lead an unconventional life. At 16 he left school to pursue a career in gymnastics, but in his early 20s that dream was cut short through injury.

"With no secondary qualifications, Damien coached gymnastics for a while, travelled and later returned to school as a mature-age student. That choice dramatically changed the course of his life.

"Since completing a range of degrees he has worked as a human rights campaigner and aid worker in East Timor, a philosopher, university lecturer, civil and criminal lawyer and public guardian.

"In 2016 Damien unexpectedly, and reluctantly, found himself involved with gymnastics again. However this time around, with a whole new perspective on life, wellness and movement, he founded his own movement company called The Wilding Project.

"Right now he is travelling the world with his wife and 3 yo son spending time in diverse natural environments and exploring different movement modalities. Right now, he is in Costa Rica learning about waves and learning to surfing in a small beach community."

Contact Damien at The Wilding Project: https://olympicfunfitness.com.au
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildingproject/
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCshFoUee_BCeqXyZDRB5EAg

Contact Michael:
1. ccerppodcast@aol.com
2. http://www.goldams.com
3. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gold-2883921/
4. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1152144714995033/

Join us at CCERP on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1152144714995033/


Show notes:
1. Georges Hebert
a. bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Hébert
b. a link to one of his books: https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Method-Practical-Physical-Education/dp/1512334367/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=george+herbert+natural+movement&qid=1578783702&sr=8-1-fkmr1

2. Erwan LeCorre

3. MovNat Level 1 movement techniques: https://www.movnat.com/level-1-certification/

4. MovNat Level 2 movement techniques: https://www.movnat.com/level-two-certification/

5. MovNat Level 3 movement techniques: https://www.movnat.com/get-certified-level-3/

6. Videos of MovNat movements
a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVdaMhrNhzQ&list=PLC5sbdn5ESCSKU66Fbp6stQFPLaNQ8rib
b. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf0XEBKYNfU&list=PLC5sbdn5ESCRN_VeYcEimsilu7IXiLmP_

7. Erwan LeCorre
a. https://www.movnat.com/erwan-le-corre/
b. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwan_Le_Corre
c. The Workout The World Forgot, the video Dani mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKGF-ErsJiI
d. The Practice of Natural Movement: Reclaim Power, Health, and Freedom by Erwan Le Corre: https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Natural-Movement-Reclaim-Freedom-ebook/dp/B07M75GF7W/

8. MovNat
a. The Website of MovNat: https://www.movnat.com
b. MovNat's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MovNat
c. MovNat training at Wildfitness in Africa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4nmu6mZd4s
d. Some intermediate-level MovNat workouts outdoors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91s9A4XgvuU
e. Erwin LeCorre's article The History of Physics Fitness: https://www.movnat.com/history-of-fitness/
f. The Practice of Natural Movement book by Erwan LeCorre: https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Natural-Movement-Reclaim-Freedom/dp/162860283X/
g. MovNat Movement Library: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf0XEBKYNfU&list=PLC5sbdn5ESCRN_VeYcEimsilu7IXiLmP_
h. MovNat videos showing 100+ movements done with good technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVdaMhrNhzQ&list=PLC5sbdn5ESCSKU66Fbp6stQFPLaNQ8rib
i. Find a MovNat Trainer near you: https://www.movnat.com/find-a-trainer/

Picture and Bio courtesy Damien Norris.