“We learn to fly not by becoming fearless, but by the daily practice of courage” -Sam Keen

If you had asked me in July of this past year if I was even remotely acrobatic, I would have said, "No." I was a 24 year-old actor/dancer/performer who moonlighted as a server. Like many actors I was looking for something that would give me an edge and came by the Circus Warehouse in Long Island City to take a class. Well, I had so much fun I decided to run away and join the circus - literally

As a professional actor and dancer I was no stranger to hard work. Well, being an aerialist completely redefined, “hard work”.  There were at least 25 hours a week of training: sweat, cramps, pulls, callouses, rips and pure unadulterated exhaustion coupled with an exhilarating sense of happiness, triumph, strength and overwhelming personal accomplishment. Oh yeah, and my day job serving for 20-35 hours a week. 

Believe me, it’s just as fun as it looks and not nearly as easy. Aerialists spend their days accomplishing the seemingly impossible. We prove that limitations such as gravity mean little. The power in that is irreplaceable.

The circus is a daily practice of patience. We practice the same trick for months until we can land it, drop it or catch it flawlessly. Even when we don’t it’s the work, the process and the eventual performance, whatever shape it takes, that counts. I have learned that in the circus as in life, you are always caught in the act and never quite done.

For every trick completed correctly there are countless more we can work on—countless movements that have yet to be discovered. True artistry comes form learning all of the rules and then having a blast breaking them.

It’s about pride, humility and courage; the courage to let go, and to take a brake if you’re injured. It’s about the humility it takes to ask for a spot when you need it to look like a fool discovering something new.  It’s about giving yourself permission to stand be proud and take your bow.

So I’ve decided to practice a little pride, humility and courage of my own. I’m going to start my aerial career performing in the Bahamas and then I’m moving across the country to perform as an aerialist at the Cirque de La Mer Show at SeaWorld in San Diego. 

Join me on my adventure as I practice a little courage every day and discover my world in the circus.