May 14, 2026

Martial Arts, Chess, and Movement in Harlem with Sean Salemi

59 minutes

In this episode of Simply Walk The Talk, Joshua Holland sits down with Sean Salemi in Marcus Garvey Park for a conversation about movement, discipline, resilience, and the unexpected paths that shape a person’s life.

Sean shares his story of being born in Paris, moving to New York City as a child, discovering martial arts, studying film and acting, entering the modeling world, becoming a trainer, and developing a deep love for chess.

The conversation moves through Harlem, outdoor fitness culture, Taekwondo, personal reinvention, barefoot movement, running mechanics, Hyperlite Optics, and a live chess breakdown that shows how strategy, patience, and awareness apply far beyond the board.

5 Key Takeaways
1.Movement can become a lifelong language for self-expression, discipline, and personal growth.
2.Martial arts teaches resilience, timing, humility, and the ability to respond under pressure.
3.Chess mirrors real life through strategy, patience, sacrifice, positioning, and long-term thinking.
4.Community spaces like Marcus Garvey Park can become powerful hubs for fitness, connection, and belonging.
5.Learning starts with curiosity, then grows through repetition, failure, and the willingness to keep showing up.

Featured Sponsor: Hyperlite Optics

Hyperlite Optics creates advanced eyewear designed to support healthier light exposure throughout the day. Their lenses use fullerene C60 technology to help transform light into more beneficial light, going beyond traditional blue-blocking glasses.

Joshua and Sean both wear the Hybrid Series during this episode and talk about how the glasses feel clear, focused, calming, and useful both indoors and outdoors.

Learn more: https://hyperlightoptics.com/

Timestamp Outline

00:00 START
01:06 Sean explains the outdoor fitness culture at Marcus Garvey Park
03:50 Joshua describes the park as an adult playground for movement, climbing, running, and balance
05:03 Sean begins sharing his background and early life story
07:46 Sean talks about being born in Paris and moving to New York City
10:20 Sean discusses attending the High School of Art and Design
14:35 How martial arts first entered Sean’s life
17:43 Sean’s path through Brooklyn College, film, acting, and creative work
19:25 A major transition point: work, school, and housing all shifting at once
21:53 How Sean was discovered for modeling in New York City
24:37 Returning to martial arts and becoming a Taekwondo instructor
27:50 Joshua and Sean discuss resilience, adversity, and thick skin
29:41 Sean explains how chess entered his life
32:06 How chess blends competitiveness, creativity, strategy, and focus
36:07 Joshua reflects on Sean’s go-getter mindset and their work together
36:39 Sean talks about learning how to run through Joshua’s movement coaching
37:46 Joshua and Sean discuss Hyperlite Optics
40:01 Sean breaks down how to set up a chess board
42:51 Basic chess piece movement begins
45:10 The power of the knight
46:39 How bishops move and control the board
47:56 The power of the rook
48:24 Why the queen is powerful and vulnerable
49:14 How the king moves and why it must be protected
51:25 Sean explains beginner chess strategy: openings, piece value, and development
56:23 Joshua wraps the episode and teases the outcome of