Video in collaboration with WeMove Magazine
“When I look back on my life to date there are a handful of meaningful moments that come to mind. All of these moments have been marked by a powerful change.”
Hi, I’m Carl Paoli. I imagine that if you’ve made it here you are at least a little bit familiar with who I am and what I do. If you’re new here, welcome! You can read more about me and my work in the About section of the site. If you’ve been following along for a while, thank you for your support, and welcome to the Freestyle Connection blog.
When I look back on my life to date there are a handful of meaningful moments that come to mind. All of these moments have been marked by a powerful change. I’ve learned that it is through the process of powerful changes that I have been able to raise my level of self-awareness. This first post on the Freestyle blog is exactly that: a moment of change where I intend to make a deliberate effort to begin to share this change in me and my work.
Rewind to 1999 when my career as a national level Spanish gymnast took a big turn. I decided to leave the sport of gymnastics and put to rest my Olympic dreams in exchange for trying to become a meaningful member of society by going to university and studying environmental science. It didn’t take long before I realized I was studying because that’s what I thought I had to do to be somebody. It was during my university years, thankfully however, that I found that one could bend the rules to get the job done. I had snowboarding and wakeboarding, outside of my academics, to reinforce that this was the case across the board for many things in life. In other words, I learned that rules can be arbitrary and it took stepping outside the rigid walls of artistic gymnastics to realized that there is more than one way to do things. I was in search of my way.
Fast forward to 2005 when I left the world of environmental science to become a gymnastics coach full time. I ventured into the fitness coaching space as well and this is where I came into a head on collision with CrossFit- a fitness modality and sport which at the time had its doors wide open for me. I was able to share my unique expertise in gymnastics and my ability to freestyle any move/skill in order to help people express themselves at the highest level. I was in the right place, at the right time, with the right mindset, and I was eager to make an impact.
“I was doing it!”
In 2010 I gained credibility in the CrossFit world because I was affiliated with some of the game changers and big names of the methodology. This allowed me to successfully launch a website dedicated to fitness (GymnasticsWOD.com) with a silent business partner, be part of a world champion (Annie Thorisdottir) athlete’s coaching staff, get “dipped” in sponsorships, and eventually in 2014 write a co-authored New York Times Bestselling book (Free+Style). I was doing it!
It took attaining all of that for me to realize that I was not passionate about gymnastics, fitness, nor CrossFit. What is was best known for teaching, the technical aspects of physical performance, I was strongly disinterested in. I was, however, passionate about taking part in how individuals explored their own style for living life and developing beyond the physical aspects of life and sport. I enjoyed helping people tap into the mental and emotional side of things to allow for a meaningful connection to themselves, their craft, and others while inspiring and producing collective change and growth around them. It was here Freestyle Connection was born.
All that being said, Welcome to Freestyle Connection. An initiative dedicated to:
- Informing individuals on how to move physically, mentally, and emotionally for life.
- Connecting individuals by opening their minds to the Freestyle Way- a philosophy based on practical compassion for oneself and others.
- Encouraging individuals to take ownership of their lives and dreams, and ultimately take decisive action to make change for themselves and their communities.
- Supporting its community in all ways we see possible to ensure the smart movers and strong thinkers are surrounded by healthy and thriving connections.
You can expect a myriad of content here on the blog including information, stories, and ideas in the topics of movement, nutrition, technology, lifestyle, business, and culture. I am excited to share what is to come and get a chance to interact with all.
Much love,
Carl Paoli
Special thanks to WeMove Magazine for producing the awesome video. You can show them some love by pre-ordering the second issue of their magazine by clicking here.