We had the good fortune of connecting with Jefrick Barrios and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jefrick, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Life, and all of the experiences that come with it. When I’m feeling lonely, i venture into the world, music in my ears and seek new places to experience and at the same time i seek nothing in particular other than a nice walk with some good music. When i feel love, i let the feeling take me, let it express itself through me in my movements. Little thought is given to what movements I’ll make, just let my body move true to what it feels in the moment, with the music and the feeling. Fear makes me reflect on myself, makes me what to identify the source of my fear, understand it and devise a method to conquer it, conquer myself. Life, and all of the experience that come with it, inspire me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I love to express and explore the world through music and movement. I enjoy too many forms of movement to dedicate myself to just one! So i mix them all together. I’ll dance while i throw knives, work on bboy freezes while working calisthenics, throw in some kicks and strikes in into my parkour training. With my love of mixing disciples, I’ll also mix the venue of practice! Parkour typically is done, or at least includes elevated platforms and locations, as a fun challenge and mix up, i love to dance on these elevated platforms to really get comfortable with my self control regardless of the location! Currently, i am most excited about being near the end of my ACL surgery recovery!! I had a torn ACL for 4 years following and an accident when i was dancing for the Houston Rockets. From this injury i learned that i we are capable of more than we know if we don’t give up! Where there is a will there really is a way, just have to search for it. I learned to take care of myself, because rarely will anyone else do it. Get everything in writing haha! Just because an entity says they have your back, doesn’t mean they really do, hard lessons, but invaluable lessons that i hope I can impart on others so they don’t have to learn it the hard way as well. But above all, everything is an opportunity, you might have to squint and turn your head sideways to see it sometimes, but it is all an opportunity, if for nothing else, for growth. If you let it be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The day would have to start at Day 6 coffee! Start the day right with some delicious caffeinated drinks! While in downtown, visiting some parkour spots is a must! Like Wortham Theater, or the Green for some dance and art. It would be a crime to exclude the Houston Museum of Natural Science from such a trip! Followed by a walk through the beautiful centennial gardens! After the easy going stuff, more parkour and dance through Hermann Park!! So many spots perfect for both and everything in-between! All my friends enjoy coffee as much i do, so a late night visit to Agora for a chill hang out and coffee will happen! A late night visit to Levi park is always fun as well! Especially when you’re caffeinated haha!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The biggest shout out would have to go to my Mom! She always believed in my skill and abilities even when i didn’t. She taught me to breath and take control of a moment with focus. It is not lost on me either, that she was encouraging her 14 year old child to to flips, something i more often than not see parents discouraging their kids to do, but the fact that she was the one encouraging me, gave me confidence in myself, in my ability. Now my skill set is expansive, and i still count down in her voice in my head when doing a particularly intimidating stunt. The rest of my family and friends deserve much credit too!! For always believing in me, lending their moral support, never letting me doubt myself.

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Image Credits
Alex biserchich Kat’s eye captures

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