Born in Helsingborg, Sweden, Gustafsson competes against some of the world’s elite in the sport. He has also formed, what is being deemed Europe’s top training facility, called Air Wipp. His academy/training center is the only one of its kind. 

I was super excited at the chance to interview, Marcus and get his take on the sport and on life.

Marcus is considered one of the top elite Parkour and Freerunning athletes on the planet. So as you can imagine I was incredibly honored that he took time out of his busy schedule between competing in international events and running his own company to sit down and do this interview.

Welcome Marcus, and thank you, to begin….

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Freerunning and Parkour?

My name is, Marcus Gustafsson, and I was born November 27, 1988. It all started when I was very young, about 6-7 years old. I was put into a gymnastics program and proceeded with that for about 10 years. But when I was around 15 I saw a video online by the founder of Parkour, David Belle. I was determined to make a living as a PRO Parkour/Freerunning athlete.

After a few years of hard work me and my best buddy Filip Ljungberg got invited to the first ever Redbull Art of Motion. That was the start of my carrier, lifestyle and self-expression. We founded a team called Air Wipp. We started to work hard to make this dream a reality.

And after a few years of hard work, injuries, sacrifices we finally have established one of the biggest Parkour/Freerunning companies in the world. As for myself, I’ve been entering all of the international competitions since it first started in 2007. Placing in the Top 3, in almost every event around the world. I am today living my dream and I am planning to do it for the rest of my life.

You have been an inspiration to millions around the world, who inspires you? Who are your mentors?

Well.. I believe that I have had a few different people that inspired me during my life. And I’m not really just devoted to one person. So I would say that the people that inspire me, are those who have succeeded in whatever they have set out to do! It could be is in their everyday life or at work. There is not really any difference! But to name drop, one of my biggest inspirations I would have to say is Jon Olsson the free skier from Sweden.

What’s the most important lesson you have learned?

Adapt to every situation that you comes your way and try to be humble about things that you can not adapt to. I believe that it makes you feel better to be a ’’real’’ person and not a ’’know it all’’ about things, and to think that you are a better person than others simply because of your accomplishments.

What was the most fun you had in Freerunning and Parkour?

Oh! That’s a hard one! but I would say that its the whole ’’traveling’’ and meeting new and old friends around the world that has been the most fun for me!

In one sentence or phrase how would you define success?

Grateful to be able to live a life that gives me new opportunities every day.

Do you consider yourself successful? What’s the most important habit that you feel is vitally important to your success?

Yes I do see myself as successful! The only thing that I can recommend to a person who has a dream or a vision is to just keep on doing it! Maybe there’s not a lot of money in the beginning or maybe never! But the most important thing I would say, Is to be happy.  I’m just saying, that money can buy you stuff, but not a feeling inside. After you have had that car that you always wanted for a year, the happiness slowly goes away. It’s important to be able to not have a boss or someone to tell you exactly what you can or can not do. And to just live by your own rules. That is Success!

What’s the most important personality trait that you feel has greatly helped you?

The will to want More.

What opportunities do you see in Freerunning and Parkour that you don’t have time to take advantage of?

None.. We are trying to do it all!

What is the most important book and or movie you have read and or watched? Why?

Not really a book or a movie fan.. so I’m not really sure..

What was the most difficult decision you had to make?

Don’t know,

What was the best decision you made?

That I kept on going, even though its been a hard ride to establish a successful Freerunning company.

What question should I have asked you that I didn’t? Why is it important and what is the answer?

Not really sure

To learn more about Marcus Zyrken Gustafsson check out his Facebook site.

To learn more about the Air Wipp Academy, check out the link.

Here is a short 2:30 minute video on the training development of Marcus from 2001 until now.

He is a master of doing the impossible.

If you don’t believe me check him out in this video where he does what was once considered impossible. He does a clapping push up on gymnastic rings. This is freaking impressive. You can fast forward the video to the 6:43 second mark in the video. And yes he actually lite his arms and hands on fire while doing push ups on gymnastic rings.

Dominik is a creative master when it comes to pushing the fold and literally going where no man or woman has dared to go.

When you watch a Dominik Sky video, you are pretty certain that you are going to witness something out of the ordinary or just down right un-freaking believable.

When the opportunity presented itself to interview Dominik I was absolutely thrilled and honored.

I wanted to find out what makes this guy tick?

In the interview, I wanted to know his perspective on training and on life in general.

Could you tell us briefly about how you first got started in parkour and street workout?

I started with parkour about 7 years ago. When I was a kid I really liked climbing and jumping so when my brother showed me a parkour video on YouTube I loved it right away. That’s when I decided to start training this amazing sport. I didn’t have a gym or a trainer so I learned everything outside by myself. That’s also the reason I had quite a few injuries but I never gave up and I’m quite happy with the level I’m currently on.

Your videos are absolutely death defying, and the ring push up, where you drop the rings, clap and than catch the rings to finish your push up, was just incredible, where do you get your motivation and inspiration from? What drives you?

I actually started street workout in order to get in a better shape for parkour. I was quite a fat kid so in the beginning I couldn’t even perform a single pull up. But after a few years of training I got hooked and bodyweight training became a huge part of my life.

Actually I don’t know. I just love doing what I do. Once I set my mind to achieve something I don’t stop until I succeed. I know that I’m on the right path so I’m just trying to train as hard as possible and see how far I can go.

Who are your mentors or people you might respect? Why?

My biggest inspirations are Zakaveli and Ido Portal. Zakaveli because of his inhuman endurance and ruthless proper form when performing the exercises. Ido Portal because he is an incredible mover. He inspired me to work with a barbell for my lower body and also to pay more attention to mobility and flexibility. I still watch their videos every day and I hope one day I’ll be lucky enough to train with them.

What’s been the most important lesson you have learned thus far?

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that you have to train no matter how you feel. Even if you are sick, even if you don’t feel like it, even if you are sick, even if your muscles feel sore, even if your elbow hurts, even if it’s cold outside. Once you skip training you can’t get it back. You did not give your best that day and if you don’t give your best you will never be where you want to be. In conclusion NEVER skip your training!

What’s an important habit that has contributed to your success both in sports and life?

Drinking at least 3 cups of coffee a day.

What I truly appreciate about our videos is that you also show the training and as we call them blooper reels or outtakes, what do you feel is vitally important that you would like to share with those newcomers or beginners when it comes to parkour and free-running?

If you are not absolutely sure when doing something then don’t do it! Trust yourself 100% and you can do whatever you set your mind to. Most of the injuries happen when you doubt yourself. I learned that the hard way… Don’t make the same mistake.

In one sentence or phrase how would you define success?

I think success is every day you go to sleep knowing that today you did absolutely everything you could to be one step closer to your dreams.

What is the one defining personality trait that you think has been important for you up to this point in your life?

Definitely stubbornness.

Your stunts are simply amazing, probably some of the best out there thus far, if you were to die tomorrow what is the legacy you want to leave?

If I die tomorrow I have to say I’d be really pissed because I feel like I still have a long road ahead of me. I just started to impact the people around me and I know this is only the beginning. I hope to become the best version of myself and inspire other people to do the same.

What was the most difficult decision you had to make?

Probably leaving college. I wasn’t satisfied with spending most of my time learning stuff I will never need in life. So I decided to leave and spend all of my time just training and learning movement, parkour, calisthenics and so on. It was really hard to bet on myself especially because my parents weren’t too happy about me leaving school. The first couple of years were pretty hard. I didn’t make any money with my free running or calisthenics so I had a few part time jobs and I spend most of the time wondering whether I’m going to make something of myself or not.

What was the best decision you made?

Also leaving college. After a couple of years the hard work finally started paying off and I’m really glad I made the right decision.

What question should I have asked you that I didn’t? Why is it important and what is the answer?

Are you a vegan or vegetarian? NO!