138: A Look Into Extraordinary Bodies with Billy Alwen

Ulrike Storch describes herself as “Europe’s worst foot juggler,” and yet with some business smarts, she has performed all over the world. In this episode, she breaks down her strategy and gives Shannon some free business advice- current and aspiring performers listen immediately! ________________ Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top.   Follow Shannon  IG: @shannon.mckenna.aerial website: http://www.shannonmckennaaerial.com  ________________   Find Ulrike Online: Instagram (please follow her, it makes her feel popular) - @ulrikestorch THE SELLING CIRCUS METHOD - https://www.ulrikestorch.com See her foot juggling work - https://www.footjuggler.com/  

One of the top aerial riggers in the UK gives practical advice and insane stories from his decades long career. A can’t miss episode!   ________________ Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top.   Follow Shannon  IG: @shannon.mckenna.aerial website: http://www.shannonmckennaaerial.com  ________________   WEBSITE: http://www.highperformanceproductions.net/   More Info on Circus Rigging: https://circusrigging.info/  

No matter what stage in your career you’re at, we all feel a little lost sometimes and look for guidance from people ahead of us on the path. For many aerialists, Lindsey Butcher is one of those guides. She was one in the wave of dancers who took to the air in the early 90’s. In this interview, she talks about her journey and how we can all be our own creative guides. ________________ Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top.   Follow Shannon  IG: @shannon.mckenna.aerial website: http://www.shannonmckennaaerial.com  ________________   Website: https://www.gravity-levity.net/

With 25 years of acrobatics, Isis Clegg-Vinell has experience with both the good (contracts with Cirque du Soleil and winning gold at festivals) and the bad (big falls and canceled career opportunities). Shannon met up with her in London to hear her story.   ________________ Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top.   Follow Shannon  IG: @shannon.mckenna.aerial website: http://www.shannonmckennaaerial.com  ________________ IG: @theveganacrobat @triovertex Links: Trio Vertex - https://www.triovertex.com/ Nathan&Isis - https://www.nathanandisis.com/   Other relevant episodes: Nathan Price: episode 34 Nadja Hauser: episode 137

Megan Vaughan Giesbrecht went from being a single mother with a 9-5 job to being a single mother touring the world with the Australian circus company, Gravity and Other Myths. This inspiring interview offers insights into what it means to parent intentionally while living out the life that makes you feel the most like yourself.  ________________ Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top.   Follow Shannon  IG: @shannon.mckenna.aerial website: http://www.shannonmckennaaerial.com      ________________   IG: @acromegan Website: https://www.acromegan.com/  

Jerome Sordillon is an award winning straps artist who is entering a new phase of his career- touring with his family. Hear about how he’s doing it.  Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top. Find her online: www.theartistathlete.com Facebook: theartistathlete IG: @the_artist_athlete Other guests mentioned in this episode: Chloe Farrah- Episode 43 Erika Lemay- Episode 131 Aurelia Cats- Episode 115

How does an artist stay relevant in an industry that’s obsessed with young bodies and the next trend? Shannon talks to Nancy Smith, one of the trailblazers of aerial dance in North America, to discuss the importance of recognizing your teachers, keeping inspiration going, and gaining cockroach status. Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top. Find her online: www.theartistathlete.com Facebook: theartistathlete IG: @the_artist_athlete Learn More about Frequent Flyers: https://frequentflyers.org/

No, you don’t have to be from a family. No, you don’t need to train animals. Yes, some gymnastics helps. But there’s more to it than that, and this week, cyr wheel artist Lea Toran Jenner tells it all! Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top.   Find her online: www.theartistathlete.com Facebook: theartistathlete IG: @the_artist_athlete Follow her on TikTok: @leatoranjenner Insta: @leatoranjenner  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o7pb6nVPVQ

Aleksei Goloborodko shares wisdom on how to gain flexibility without getting injured and talks about his unique approach to the art of contortion. Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top. Find her online: www.theartistathlete.com Facebook: theartistathlete IG: @the_artist_athlete Follow him on Instagram: @galexey94kid

One of the pioneers of aerial silks, Ginger Alvarez talks candidly about her career trajectory and where she sees the art form going next. ------------------------------------------------ Please won’t you be a Patreon?: http://www.patreon.com/theartistathlete This podcast is dedicated to CIRCUS. Aerialist, Shannon McKenna interviews guests from acrobats in Cirque du Soleil to circus therapists and everyone in between. Learn the backstage lives of those who flip, twist, sparkle, and shine under the big top. Find her online: www.theartistathlete.com Facebook: theartistathlete IG: @the_artist_athlete ------------------------------------------------ People mentioned in this interview who have previously been interviewed: Isabelle Chasse - Episode 80  Christine Van Loo - Episode 67