Hello, I’m Adam Dunlap with Parkour.com and today we are interviewing Sergey Shorokhov! If you don’t know the name, you’ll definitely recognize the video he published that recently brought him to the front of discussions in the Parkour world and beyond. Sergey recently had a near death experience where he fell on a wire while running on rooftops 25 stories up! He was able to hold onto the wire until a friend could reach him and help him climb back onto the roof. We are pleased to take this opportunity to interview Sergey to find out more about him and his journey, especially as it involved this experience. If you haven’t seen this viral video, here it is:
Adam: Sergey, first of all, thank you so much for joining us! Of course we want to find out all about this near death experience. In my opinion, your video is one of the most chilling videos to ever come out of the Parkour world! It almost made me sick to watch. I was so scared, almost like your friend Zlat was who was there lol. But first I want our readers to learn more about you and what brought you to this moment, so let’s start with some basics. Can you tell us your name, age, where you’re from and a bit about you?
Sergey: Hi everyone🙌 I’m Sergey. I’m 25. And I’m a professional freerun athlete. And actor. And stuntman. And designer. And blogger. And that’s not all there is to me…lol
Adam: Tell us about your journey. How long have you been doing Parkour/Freerunning? Why did you start? What do you call what you do [Parkour or Freerunning or PKFR etc], and why do you continue doing it?
Sergey: I have been training for 13 years, but I’ve loved climbing trees and and garages since childhood. I jumped as a child, but we didn’t call it parkour then. When I was 12 years old (2006) I learned about it, I began to study on videos from the Internet. My web-teachers were Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle, Sebastian Foucan, Yamakasi, Jackie Chan, etc. Then we called it parkour. Later it was called freerun. I didn’t adhere to the main philosophy of parkour so I always practiced freerun. I was more liked of spectacular than discipline. So often I received sprain ankles trying to do difficult elements which was not very ready when I wasn’t disciplined enough. Why do I continue? The answer is simple. I love it)
Adam: I’ve actually never heard anyone express that perspective – to own liking the spectacular, and to continue doing that through injuries for more than a decade. Most people who start that way don’t seem to last, that’s really interesting and cool to hear : ) What are you reaching for in it? Like, what are you trying to accomplish in your life through your movement? Do you think this is someone everyone should try to accomplish?
Sergey: I accomplish harmony of body and mind. First, I want to do it as long as possible. It’s like meditation for me. However, meditation doesn’t injure the body, but parkour/freerun can. Second, you should to be self-disciplined. I also advise others to accomplish self-discipline primarily. Otherwise, your body won’t last long.
Adam: Yah, I agree 100% on the self-discipline and body preservation. Well said. Ok, that’s a good intro. Now let’s talk about this near fall. You seem to explain what happened pretty well in the video you made on it. Can you give us a recap for our readers? How did you almost fall?
Sergey: In short, I accelerated too fast. I should have stopped earlier. But missed the right spot. I had to react the way you saw the video. I didn’t slip, I didn’t stumble. I deliberately caught the wires with my hands to stop myself. It was a conscious decision. However, I didn’t know for sure if they would stand me. I was lucky in the end. But also had bad luck because it was the radio wires and they were shocking me because of the poor insulation/isolation. Therefore, I now have burns and scars on my body.
Adam: If your friend Zlat had not been there, do you think you have been able to pull yourself up? If a friend hadn’t been there to help, what do you think would have happened next?
Sergey: The voltage from the wires was tolerable though, and burned the body. I would be patient and get out on the wires. Just get more scars. You’ll do anything when you want to live.
Adam: Your friend Zlat, who saved you, seemed more shaken up by the incident than you. Why is that? And is he a freerunner too?
Sergey: Yeah, he’s a freerunner too. I just have more experience jumping on roofs. He has less. So I have more experience reacting to fear.
Adam: Did you pay him back by buying him lunch or something? Lol
Sergey: Lol. No, I help him a lot without it. I asked to mention him on reposts of my video on other accounts. I’ve written enough about him in the video description. Because of this, a lot of people followed him and people began to write him words of gratitude the night after I posted this video. He even cried. Because he thought he wasn’t worthy. And he said he did what anyone in his place should have done.
Adam: Sounds like a really humble friend and good person : ) You didn’t actually seem shaken up after the incident. Did it hit you later that day how close you were to dying?
Sergey: What I feel in life is quite difficult to describe. I feel a lot of things. Maybe because I’m an actor. I can open my body and mind to any sensations and feelings. But I can also close myself off from feelings I don’t need. You know, negative from other people, hypocrisy, manipulation. I’m very good at controlling that. Yes, there was one moment when I was editing a video on the computer. When the video was ready and Zlat and I watched it in its entirety, the music and the video, you know, covered me, I allowed myself to feel how other people would feel in my place, in the place of my friend, in the place of my parents, in the place of those people who will be able to feel this story. And then I almost cried. But I allowed myself to be in this feeling of empathy/regret only for a short time. But then right afterwards I was glad that I could feel all this and that I was alive, of course.
Adam: That’s really cool. I am an actor too, so I know exactly what you mean about opening and closing yourself to certain feelings. What a cool perspective and that you were able to use your experience acting in reflecting on this. What do you think happens after we die? Do you ever think about that?
Sergey: I don’t think anything happens. Reality exists as long as you’re alive.
Adam: Ok, so let’s pivot to the community. What type of response did you get from the video? It seemed like everyone was talking about it. Even Pasha Petkuns reposted your video on his own channel. Was the response you received positive or negative? Did people write you messages?
Sergey: They wrote me a lot. Even instagram started lagging because of this. Surprisingly in direct wrote more positive messages. However, out of the corner of my eye I saw a bunch of negativity in the comments below the video. I’m not reading them yet. There are already more than 3,000 comments. I want to make videos on YouTube and IGTV about reading them and answering the most interesting ones. It does not matter whether it will be negative or positive comments.
Adam: Did you show the video to your mom? What did she think?! Lol.
Sergey: I don’t know what she thinks. Fortunately or unfortunately my mom still hasn’t seen the video. Don’t show her this video. Lol
Adam: L. O. L. Ok we won’t show her. But if she does an internet search for your name, she might find this now. Don’t blame us if she sees it lol. It looks like you gained a lot of followers from this. How much would you say your following increased because of this? Do you see that as a good thing or bad thing?
Sergey: Since then, my following has increased more than 40,000. That’s good, because now more people will know what I’m doing.
Adam: You have more than 13 years of training so you know what you’re doing, and you know full well the risks you take. But do you have any fear that your video will be seen by kids as an inspiration to do dangerous things that they aren’t ready for?
Sergey: I think what my video did very well was show what can happen to them if they go to the roof. That you can die or almost die like me. Most often I see a beautiful videos at an insane height where freerunners like @storror or @olegcricket jump easily. And the unprepared viewer gets the impression that it is easy and safe. However, it repeat only crazy children. And this is not the problem of the authors of the video, it is, unfortunately, the problem of parenting. On the topic of children I can talk for a long time, let’s continue.
Adam: That’s a really cool perspective actually. That successful roof-jumping videos may inspire kids to do dangerous things on roofs more than unsuccessful roof-jump videos. Woa, my mind is blown! I never thought of that. In association with the incident, you used the hashtag #ImNotRisking. Perhaps you can explain what that means.
Sergey: Good question. Made me think. I write this hashtag on each of my videos. The fact is that everyone has their own risk. Personally, I’ve never considered what I’m doing on the risk side. For example: “Guys, tomorrow we shoot a video, I will risk my life, but I need it.” No. I just do. Risk I think it’s more about attitude, condition and view from the side. Where one sees a joke the other sees an insult. So same and with the risk I have. Where people see risk, I see opportunity. I think I need to introduce a new hashtags: #RiskIsOpportunity or #OpportunityToRisk….lol
Adam: I like that second hashtag a lot! Start using it for real!! Another question. You talk about this briefly in your 9 minute video on the fall, but I’ll ask anyway. What do you see as your purpose for posting on Instagram and other media outlets? You have more than 70,000 followers on Instagram alone. What are you hoping to inspire in your followers?
Sergey: The main goal is the implementation of original ideas. I have a creative potential that I have to realize while I’m alive. But in secret, everyone has it. Just sometimes my ambitions move me farther away than other people.
Adam: Did you learn anything from this experience, and if so what? Will it change how you train in the future? Will it change how you live in the future?
Sergey: For me it’s just an experience that once again showed me that you need to think ahead even more.
Adam: And what is the future for you? What do you have planned for your life, career and beyond?
Sergey: For now, I will continue to work hard as a stuntman. Then it will allow me to travel more. I also do my YouTube channel and instagram. I will monetize them in the near future. Here are my plans. Self-realisation.
Adam: Is there a message you’d like to share with people reading this interview? Perhaps something relating to the fall or a message about life in general.
Sergey: Falling is not important. What matters is how people felt after watching the video. I’m glad it’s excited the world. People have so many feelings. People looked like watched the new Avengers in the cinema. Lol. But it’s a pity that people don’t learn to feel so much every day. I will not be modest, but I think the reaction of the world to this video was maybe even stronger, more active, and more natural than after the cinema. So much content is published every day by top athletes. They all try to bring something new. I think because of the overabundance of content, people have stopped being inspired and really feel what is happening. Very many became simply viewers. And very few of those who are inspired and do. Open your mind to the senses every day, realize your inner creativity, and discipline your body. That’s enough.
Adam: I love that. There’s so much wisdom in your words. Yes, I think perhaps, even if people don’t realize it, your video was more inspiring and thought provoking than Avengers which is crazy because that film cost like 200 million dollars to make! And your idea, ” I think because of the overabundance of content, people have stopped being inspired…” is so profound. I agree! So then lastly, how can people connect with you, follow you, and learn more about you?
Sergey: They can follow and subscribe me here (and also they can write me on these channels. I answer all):
vk.com/grayrustle
instagram.com/serzhlife
youtube.com/user/pktws
Email: ghost0-7@yandex.ru
Adam: Is there anything else you’d like to say about Parkour, Freerunning, training, and running on rooftops?
Sergey: Do only what your body is ready for.
Adam: Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. It was an extreme pleasure to learn more about you, and hear your thoughts about life and movement. Thank you.
Sergey: Thank you too. Sorry for my English skills. I hope everything is clear written. Lol
[Below is the 9 minute video Sergey made about the fall.