Presentation
Necessary risk: Parkour and the development of human potential - Play the Game 2009 (PP Pdf.)
Profile:
After completing his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Cambridge University, Dan spent several years in Japan and South-East Asia continuing his lifelong practice of various fighting arts and movement disciplines and there began his training in parkour.
Since his return to the UK Dan has worked to establish the largest and most successful parkour teaching framework in the world, running the Parkour Generations Academies and teaching regularly at all levels from private tuition to schools, county councils, corporate workshops, and public organisations.
Dan has produced a considerable body of literature on parkour which has been translated into several languages and published across various media, including two books published in 2009 and the entry for parkour in the latest Sports Encyclopaedia, and regularly gives presentations and seminars on parkour around the world.
CAREER SUMMARY
01/2007 - : Managing Director, Parkour Generations Ltd. and Author
The largest collective of experienced practitioners of parkour in the world, teaching displaying and consulting for the discipline of parkour/freerunning. Delivering frequent international seminars, live displays, commercial appearances, etc, and managing the Parkour Academy in London; offering private tuition, corporate tuition, public presentations, and the teaching of Parkour in UK schools and the development of Parkour throughout the country in conjunction with Sport England.
04/2005-01/2007: Editor, Writer, and Parkour Instructor
Freelance journalist: several publications in international sports/martial arts literature
Author of parkour contribution for 2007-8 Extreme Sports Encyclopaedia
Head of Parkour instruction for the City of Westminster, London schools, community centres, and the running of London’s permanent Parkour Academy. Role involved frequent participation in public relations activities, media appearances, interviews and article production for external publications.
03/2003-04/2005: Lecturer in English, History, and International Relations, Baiko University
Lecturing and exam setting, as well as promoting and delivering several academic conferences for students on Advanced Learning Strategies, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Study Skills.Also involved in freelance PR and media work for the promotion and establishment in Japan of the rapidly-growing urban sport of Parkour/Freerunning, including the production of several newspaper and magazine articles.
03/2002-02/2003: Managing Editor, 4C Associates – Strategy Consultancy
Project work involving editing, researching, proofing, and producing quarterly B2B strategy publication ‘Foresight’, gathering and disseminating strategic thinking from the leading businesses in the relevant fields. Worked in small team consisting of 4C Director, editorial staff and design managers. Role also included client management, dealing with such clients as BCG, Marakon, McKinsey & Company, Mercer, Bain & Company, etc.
07/1999-07/2001: Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme
Teaching English and History within Japanese Public Schools, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. - Gave presentations at various Teachers’ Conferences on several topics, including the introduction of Advanced Learning Strategies and Study Skills.
- Frequent liaising with Japanese local government and Board of Education.
- Assistant editorial role on various Board of Education publications; compiled and edited several books on teaching materials for foreign teachers in Japan.
KEY EDUCATION
1998-99 University of Cambridge (Wolfson College)
M.Phil. Historical Studies
1994-98 University of Cambridge (Robinson College)
M.A.Hons. Japanese and History – 2:1
1988-94 Cranleigh School, Surrey
LANGUAGES/SKILLS
High-level spoken / written Japanese, French
Qualified instructor of Karate (3rd Dan)
Qualified instructor of Aikido (3rd Dan)
Qualified instructor of Tameshigiri (test cutting with live blades)
Qualified instructor within the Scientific Fighting Congress
Fully insured instructor of Parkour
Community Sports Leader Award (CSLA)
Basic Expedition Leader Award (BELA)
First Aid Qualified
Computing: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel
ACHEIVEMENTS/INTERESTS
2009 - Two books on parkour published worldwide by Harper Collins and Random House
2007 - Founder of the National Governing Body for parkour in the UK
2000 - One of the few non-Japanese ever to be initiated into the Katori Shinto Ryu, the oldest martial arts school of Japan and an Intangible Treasure of Japan
1997 - Cambridge University Scholar
1992 - Cranleigh School Scholar
1988 - Assisted Place Scholarship to Cranleigh School, Surrey
Extensive experience of various Martial Arts (including Karate (18 yrs), Aikido (12 yrs), Wing Chun (8 yrs), Katori Shinto Ryu swordsmanship (10 yrs) among others) and related philosophies and histories.
Extensive training in security-related fields, comprising Conflict Management and Physical Intervention.
Various outdoor and physical fitness activities including parkour, running, surfing, climbing and hiking.
Reading literature and fiction; philosophy; writing; chess; independent travel.
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