Breaking Flow! A conversation with Joe Kelly about skill acquisition and coaching in high risk activities.

This episode with Joe Kelly, widely known as the Barefoot Athlete, was a treat to record, and equally fascinating to re-listen to before publishing.

With over 25 years in movement coaching, Jo's journey spans fitness, rehabilitation, and adventure sports, leading to profound insights into skill acquisition and the importance of embodiment in athletic performance.

Jo emphasises "thinking with your feet," highlighting the intelligence present in our bodies, which allows us to make real-time decisions based on tactile feedback from our environments. He advocates for training environments that embrace variability and the possibility of error, asserting that such conditions promote resilience and adaptability, qualities essential for effective coaching and performance.

A key theme in our conversation was the relationship between confidence and competence. Jo argues that confidence stems from navigating challenging situations successfully, so creating safe training conditions where individuals can experiment without fear of catastrophic failure is vital. 

Ultimately, Jo's philosophy encourages athletes to engage dynamically with their surroundings and to appreciate the learning journey. By fostering a culture that celebrates curiosity and resilience, while accepting mistakes as part of growth, coaches can help individuals cultivate a lifelong love for movement. As Jo embarks on a master's in performance psychology, he aims to enhance his understanding of these concepts, inspiring others to explore their movement experiences creatively and fearlessly.

My guest is Joe Kelly and you can find him on X (Twitter) @BarefootAthlete and on Instagram: @barefootathlete

I will be adding more detailed show notes and lots of links to books, film clips and other resources.

Here is the film of the paraglider with the tangled wing that Joe talks about in the podcast https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzITu4ZoJz7/?igsh=MWRwaHFlYzRxNHN2

And some videos of the catch game that Joe mentions from the sessions he runs:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvT8nUQHSav/?igsh=MXhqb2I4dzNmZm40eQ%3D%3D

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQrzKLHQAC/?igsh=MTc5Nmk1cDhsY2RyeA%3D%3D