Anthony

Head Parkour Coach

Hub Parkour Training Center

As a long-time parkour athlete and coach, AJ Baron knows firsthand the rush of overcoming mental barriers. He originally discovered the sport at 14 years old through videos of Daniel Ilabaca and other top athletes. Now 28, AJ has honed an impressive freerunning style all his own—strong on technique, control, and spinning skills.Though mostly self-taught at first, AJ sought out proper coaching to expand his abilities. He's trained with Dylan at New England Sports Academy and several other mentors. This gives AJ a solid grasp of parkour instruction to impart onto his own students. As he likes to say: "Parkour is 80% mental, 20% physical." It becomes about competency and confidence to achieve the seemingly impossible.With 13 years of diverse parkour experience, AJ excels at guiding students through precision challenges, awkward landings, and new spinning techniques. He currently coaches at facilities across the Boston area as part of the Hub/PF and Hub teams. AJ also holds Levels 1-3 certification from the World Freerunning and Parkour Federation (WFPF).His proudest moment came watching a student stick a major finals move at a global parkour competition. Though not his primary coach, AJ had worked intensely on that exact skill in the preceding weeks. When game time came, the student nailed it flawlessly before the world's eyes.Between coaching and furthering his own skills, AJ stays active mountain biking, gaming, and training with fellow Boston athletes. He still looks to top British athletes as the pinnacle of combined power and grace. For those new to the sport, AJ advises: "Practice makes progress." Natural talent helps, but real results come from diligence over time. If the joy is there, the achievements will follow too.