Passion, pride and pain build character

Life-changing pursuits

Before he became interested in parkour, Zhang was introverted and stubborn. He appreciates the way parkour has changed his life, turning him from a shy boy who was addicted to online games into an energetic and outgoing young man.

He said if he had not taken up parkour, he might still be confused about life and lack a clear goal. In addition to parkour, Zhang has started working as a stunt director in movies and taken up acting.

"The sport has brought me honor and reputation in parkour circles and also changed my inner world. I am no longer confused, and it has given me the faith to face and solve all difficulties and break through my limitations. No matter what job I do in the future, the spirit I have learned from the sport will accompany me and help me conquer all obstacles," he said.

Wu's life has also been changed, thanks to the longboard. He has seen highs and lows, but he is grateful for all the experiences.

He took up the sport as a sophomore in 2012, and worked as an urban planner after finishing college in 2014. However, quit his "boring job" after a few months, because it was making him depressed, and moved to Beijing alone to focus on the longboard.

"I like the inner peace and happiness brought by the longboard, which my previous job could not offer. So, I set a goal, giving myself three years to focus on the longboard－if I could not achieve anything, then I would find another job," he said.

For a year he worked as a longboard salesman, living in a basement in Beijing and earning 3,000 yuan a month, which strengthened his desire to realize his dream. In 2015, when his mother and sister visited Beijing, he moved out of the basement and rented a new, smarter apartment. He decided to start his own longboard brand and take part in commercial exhibitions to raise his company's profile.

Extreme sports have had a profound influence on Wu, turning him from an unsociable youngster into an outgoing person. He has also made many friends by attending competitions and other activities.

Wu believes that doing extreme sports can bring one closer to nature. Riding the longboard makes him feel an almost childish wonder and he feels brighter, more positive and younger.

Last year, Wu moved to Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, and focused on his longboard brand, organizing competitions and operating new media platforms related to the sport. His parents have gradually changed their minds and now actively support his career choice. Privately, though, they still worry that his life is unstable and think he would be better off working for a big company.

"If I hadn't chosen this path, I would not have experienced so much. I have felt grief, confusion and hesitation during the past five years, but I have learned to overcome difficulties, constantly asking myself what I want and whether I am good enough. I am so glad I stuck with it, and the years I spent in Beijing provided enough spiritual wealth for a lifetime," he said.