I think there is a misconception that artists are selfish because we have to really pay attention to ourselves as instruments of our craft, but this attentiveness builds a type of sensitivity and empathy for humanity that is very powerful.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
As a child, I made a stage in the backyard in the summer and a stage in the living room in the winter. I was always showing off! My mother enrolled me in an after-school drama program. The teacher saw my passion and recommended that I take more serious classes in theater and dance.
I went to a performing arts secondary school (I'm from the US where we call it high school) and I have an undergraduate degree in theater. When I first started aerial performing, I thought I had left my theater degree behind, but now that I have The Artist Athlete Podcast, write a ton of Instagram captions, run a company, and am starting to direct other artists, I see how all of my education supports my projects.
I firmly believe that nothing you do or learn in life is wasted- all your past experiences give you skills to create the life you want to live.
2. How and when did you decide to pursue aerial performing?
After university, I knew I wasn't going to be only a theater actor. I got bored standing around saying my lines. I wanted to do with my body what Shakespeare did with words. Aerial performance has that magic to it. I had no idea how difficult it would be, but I'm glad I didn't know because it might have scared me away!
3. How do you ensure you stay strong and fit enough to perform?
I eat and sleep A LOT. The rate of disordered eating and compulsive exercise in the industry is quite high and I believe many injuries happen when artists are unnourished and not well-rested.
I make sure I get plenty of protein and I don't work out every day anymore. I meditate to keep my mind strong and positive. To be in peak performance mode you have to take care of all aspects of health.
4. What was the most challenging part when you started your career?
I had many challenges when I started. I didn't have a gymnastics background, so there was a baseline of strength and technique that I had to build from scratch. I didn't have any money, so I worked all sorts of weird side jobs and trained for 30 hours a week. All those challenges were far less difficult to overcome than my own self-doubt.
I held myself back from many opportunities- I didn't go to auditions or didn't put my videos online, because I thought I wasn't good enough. It took me a long time to learn that it was not my job to decide whether I was good enough, my job was to do the work of the artist. When I finally stopped doubting myself, I started working more.
5. What is the hardest part when you are performing aerial art?
When I am performing, there is nothing hard! The audience only sees an aerial performance for five minutes, but those five minutes on stage take years of practice. Performing is a privilege I've earned by working on my craft for years.
The hardest part is having the discipline to work in a quiet studio where no one is watching you fail over and over again and keeping the faith that even though you are far away from getting applause, it will come one day. If you can maintain that faith and discipline, you can conquer the world.
6. Who is your role model?
I look up to celebrities that want to have a positive impact on society. I love the American actress Jane Fonda. She created a series of exercise videos that are still the best-selling fitness tapes in all of history, and she used the money to support political endeavors for environmental and social justice.
I also love the rapper Jay-Z, because he built a huge business empire and at the same time uplifts his community. I want to do the same with The Artist Athlete. I think there is a misconception that artists are selfish because we have to really pay attention to ourselves as instruments of our craft, but this attentiveness builds a type of sensitivity and empathy for humanity that is very powerful.
7. What's the most important advice you would give to aspiring aerial performers?
I love this question, and it's the last question I ask every guest on The Artist Athlete Podcast. There is so much noble and deep advice out there, but my advice is: don't get distracted by boys (or romantic relationships)!
Pursuing your dreams is scary, it is way safer to help someone else, but in the end, you will regret it. If someone truly loves you, they will love that you are working towards your goals.
8. Which is your favorite book and why?
My personal favorite book is Still Life with Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins because it's quirky, romantic, and well-written. The book I always recommend to people who want to live a more artistic life is The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It is an incredible guidebook for creativity and changed my life immensely.
Interviewed By - Anshika Maurya
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