Athlete teaches others how to defy gravity
James Crutcher ignores gravity as he flips 360 degrees through the air. Photos Submitted
By Tom Victoria
James Crutcher defies gravity by flipping through the air more times than the human body should be able to do. The 20-year-old not only does tricking — the freestyle sport that is an acrobatic offshoot of parkour — he teaches kids how to do it, too.
“I’m a tumbler/parkour coach at a gym,” James said. “It’s super fun.”
He said the best part is seeing the youths’ faces as their minds are blown by witnessing what the tricker can do.
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world,” James said. “People know it is possible.”
Although gym users can be as young as 4 and old as 20, most of James’ pupils are between 9 and 13. He said coaching is important to him as he had to learn tricking on his own.
The Salt Lake City tricker is an old hand, having started quite young after being inspired by seeing others tumble high above the ground.
“I was 8 years old doing backflips in the grass,” James said.
He landed flat one day, rattling his grandparents.
“They bought me a trampoline the next weekend,” James said.
He then used the trampoline to hone moves before trying them on the grass.
As a child, James took note of his grandparents’ fascination with gymnasts.
“My grandparents were mesmerized by how good they were,” he said.
James decided he would be better than the athletes he saw on television.
“I wanted to be the one inspiring everyone else,” he said.
At 14, James first saw trickers demonstrate their skills in a gym.
“It looked amazing when I saw people doing it,” he said.
“I want to be remembered as someone who could do very high-level tricks. But more importantly, I want to be remembered for the impact on other people’s lives and the passion that drove me to it.”
James sought the freedom tricking brings that competitive gymnastics doesn't.
“I wanted my own style,” he said.
James was determined to become the best tricker in Idaho.
“I wanted to be better,” he said.
After James met that challenge, a new one arose upon relocating to Utah, where stiffer competition resided.
Now, James is performing stunts unheard of to older generations. One video shows him doing 11 consecutive gainer switches, or one-legged backflips. He’s done more, but that was not captured on film.
James has developed strength and flexibility by tricking.
“Doing consecutive backflips off one foot feels almost like I am walking through air,” James said. “It’s very hard to describe. I would just say it feels almost as if I were floating when I do them right.”
He said trickers develop air awareness, sensing when others are in flight to help avoid collisions.
“You just know what to do,” James said.
Floor vibrations also play a role in deciding when to cease tumbling.
“I’ll come to a stop,” James said.
Some trickers have to work out to avoid injuries. But James’ athleticism and strength come strictly from tricking, which requires the use of more muscles than most other physical endeavors.
“I’ve been blessed with good genetics,” he said about his lack of susceptibility to injuries.
James said trickers’ diets also vary with some not being picky about what they consume.
“I try to eat healthier,” he said. “I love seafood.”
When James is flipping in public, spectators are awed.
“I get a lot of ‘Whoa, that was insane. Can you do that again?’” he said.
James twirls over ice.
James also plays video games and a musical instrument.
“I play a lot of guitar,” he said.
James also has a clothing brand with the motto: think less do more. The line includes shirts, hoodies, hats and phone cases.
The veteran flipper advised those wanting to start tricking to not go too far too fast.
“I would say take everything slow,” he said. “People want to rush doing hard tricks.”
James stressed staying safe is the most important thing. But he said tricking will be rewarding to those who embark on it.
“You can have your own style,” James said. “No one’s going to be docking you for it.”
He said when a tricker is having a bad day, he or she should take a step back.
“Play it safe,” James said. “Work on the clean stuff.”
When the tricker has a bad session or day, he switches gears by watching old videos of himself or others tricking on YouTube if not strumming the guitar.
James continues to have his grandparents’ support.
James flies with the sun providing the backdrop.
“My grandparents have told me they are proud of what I am doing and that they are very impressed with how far I’ve come, even though they can’t tell exactly what it is I’m doing,” he said.
James plans to keep tricking while he is young and healthy.
“I want to keep going as long as I can,” he said.
James plans to still do the more difficult maneuvers for a couple of years before moving onto strictly visually appealing stunts to lessen the impact to his body.
He would like to possibly move into television work someday, performing stunt work or being behind the scenes. James also supports tricking athletes receiving corporate sponsors. And he will continue teaching others.
“I just want to help people out,” James said.
He wants his legacy to not just be about his astounding abilities.
“I want to be remembered as someone who could do very high-level tricks,” James said. “But more importantly, I want to be remembered for the impact on other people’s lives and the passion that drove me to it.”
The link to James' Instagram account is: https://www.instagram.com/jamezboyy/
The link to James' website: https://www.jamezboysplace.com/