Matthew Lee Willis

Matthew started with theater in college as an actor while doing gymnastics and becoming an instructor. When a fascinating documentary called "Jump London" started circulating the US, Matthew became, simply put, obsessed with the idea, concept, and art of Parkour and Free Running. Much like Karate, the art of Parkour has ancient origins starting back with l'art du déplacement (the art of displacement) originally discovered by French Naval Officer Georges Hebert's during his rescue experience in May of 1902 during a volcanic eruption in Africa. Hebert witnessed Indigenous residents escape destruction with "...flexible, nimble, skillful, enduring, and resistant..." abilities. This led Hebert to create a "natural method" of physical training that became part of the French Military's "parcours" or obstacle course. Many years later, Frenchman David Belle was introduced to the "natural method" by his father, and being a gymnyst and blackbelt in Kung Fu, David created what is now known as "Parkour." Belle joined fellow Parkour practioners in a group they named Yamakasi, and Sebastian Foucan of James Bond fame was part of this group. Foucan founded "Free Running," which adds tricks to the efficient movement of Parkour. Matthew Lee Willis follows the techniques and traditions of both David Belle and Sebastian Foucan, and Matthew founded Texas Parkour or TXPK. Matthews amazing abilities and determination has lead to TXPK organizing an intense workshop in February 2011 with the Yamakasi founders in Austin, Texas. Matthew works as a producer and actor with Friendly State Studios and stars in the "Parkour Brothers" as Colin.