The Disruptive Warrior
Why I am a Disruptive Warrior
Disclaimer: My domain is athletics and I view athletes as modern day warriors. ‘Warriors’ and ‘Athletes’ are used interchangeably for the purposes of this blog and podcast*
In many ways I’ve been creating/writing The Disruptive Warrior/Athlete for a long time. Something particularly clear to me and constantly on my mind is the systemic exploitation of individuals across professions. Perhaps, this is an inevitable exploitation and still the best system, yet Athletics (remember read: warriors) specifically is reactive relative to say the tech world for example. I’ve constantly been a Disrupter. I’ve systematically and consistently found myself within mechanisms which exploit athletes (final time I promise, read warrior). Perhaps, this is the best system, yet Athletics in general is ready for changes in philosophies of play, payment strategies, culture, and performance.
Athletes are often a head of my time, and I count myself among this group. I’m coining the phrase “Athlepreneurship” and “Athlepreneurs.” I’ll be the progressive of sport. I’m aware of institutions of power, and the built-in mechanisms which destroy, clip the wings of, and manipulate humans from birth. Sinister human beings have devised systems of power which systematically prey upon and exploit those lower in the pyramidal hierarchy. I’ve been drawn to these systems of power passionately throughout my movement in the world. Positions of power have been a guiding principle of my work from the beginning. I chose nothing. These institutions chose me. I’ve reached a point where I feel I’ve studied and sat patiently by in deference to these persons, preoccupations of power, and private entities who have come before me out of respect. A respect which is unreciprocated and now demands action, violence, and change. I’m a Disruptive Warrior because I believe in equality! I believe in fairness, and I believe justice will be the guiding paradigm if we are to survive as a community moving forward. I am a Disruptive Athlete because, I love Athletics too much to sit passively by and watch it be destroyed by the rote diseased decaying dinosaurs currently decimating the beauty, poetry, and child-like innocence of Athletics. Athletics unites, unifies, and untethers the shackles (both invisible and transparent) between dividing groups through a child-like love of PLAY. Where sports are reactive in adopting best practices it is progressive in it’s unity of otherwise divided groups. Athletes despite their exploitation are afforded a platform for social change. A change which paradoxically requires their acceptance and subscription to the dominating institutions of power in order for their upheaval and replacement with superior systems of communal support. Institutionalized, monetized, and professional-level play belongs to the people! The people are taking play back from the powers that be with us as their leaders. The people are angry! Viva la revolucion!
