Let's meet Tom

Meet the R4R Runners #90

Welcome to the 90th edition of the Meet the R4R Runners. This week, we get to meet Tom, who is… another example of someone in our community walking the walk in trying to improve the world around them.

Every time we write those words, we feel like a broken record… but that’s a good thing and a testament to the quality of the people in our community. Tom is a great bloke, and he’s got a surprise for those of us looking to skip the run tonight!

So, without further ado, let’s meet Tom!

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What’s your name?

Tom Emerson.

Where are you from?

I’ve been a Canberra boy since the age of nine.

What's your favourite thing about Canberra?

I love that our city feels like one big park.

How did you hear about R4R and when did you first attend?

I heard about R4R through my work in Senator David Pocock’s office and came along with him and colleagues for the first time in mid July.

What's your favourite thing about R4R?

Nothing beats gathering around something positive that’s good for everyone’s health and is powered by genuine encouragement from people who care.

You obviously practice what you preach with the Praksis Movement Studio. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

Praksis is a gym for people who are sick of regular gyms. We set it up as a place for people who wanted to improve their physical experience, free of all the BS that comes along with most gyms. People who train with us come as they are and leave as a slightly better version of themselves. Everyone is working together to improve by a small amount and there’s no negative judgement or toxic hierarchies in the group. These are all the things I wanted — but couldn’t find — in a community built on physical training, so I started it myself. I had such a positive experience with the ‘movement’ approach, taking me from a place of chronic injuries, pain and insecurities to a freer experience of myself, that I had no choice but to share it with others.

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A while back, someone said they'd like to see R4R do a PT type session while others walked and ran... and now you're delivering that tonight with Praksis! Can you give an insight into what people should expect if they opt-in for tonight's session?

Thanks so much for having me! I’m excited to share what Praksis is all about. Our exercises are focused solely on what’s best for you and how you can become stronger, more mobile and more physically free than you thought possible. We’ll encourage you to try new things — always in a safe, positive, fun environment. And it really is for all levels with no prerequisites. You’ll love it and you’ll leave feeling great, no matter what limitations you're dealing with.

And to pay it forward, What would you like to see R4R do?

I’d love to see R4R institute some compulsory post-run stretching!

Which three people (alive or dead) would you like to run or walk 6km with?

Socrates, Jesus Christ and David Goggins.

That would be some run! What does resilience mean to you?

Knowing that doing something positive is always better than doing nothing or doing the opposite.

When you look back on the hardest moment/s in your life, is there anything you wish you could have told yourself? 

Remember how lucky you are to have love in your life.

Hoo roo! Thanks, Tom.