From Circus Owner to Travel Writer!

It’s true, you never really do know where you end up in life. When I was a kid, I wanted to make video games and got a BFA in Computer Animation, got a job in film working on special effects. Life tossed me a curve ball and I ended up running away with Cirque du Soleil. I worked on the “Kooza” show for a little over a year as a photographer (*That is me on the side).

While on the road, I fell in love with Circus and decided to started my own operation in Atlanta GA. And that is what I did. Allays tho, this desire for travel was growing. Its not easy starting a circus… they dont have any books for it. Lol. Years of learning, skill building and more. In September of 2014 I took a month off from my company to travel in South East Asia and it open my eyes very wide.

WOW. This rekindled my deep desire to see more of the world.

South East Asia was amazing!

This is was my big first solo adventure. Landing in Bangkok … stepping off the plane and into the world I knew nothing about, was as much exhilarating as scary.

I think it’s is in those moments that we define who we are going to be. If were going to let fear win out over discovery and adventure, or not. To this day I am glad I did not let fear win as in this adventure, as many great memories were made with some amazing people from around the world.

I did not know at this time that I would also meet someone who would inspire me for greater adventure in a few years!

On Tour with Ringling Brothers (Blue Unit)

In 2017 I did a short tour with Ringling Brothers. I joined them in Washington DC, and stated to live on the train as a backstage hand. What an amazing experience. Living on a train with AMAZING artists from around the world. I met people with colorful backgrounds and stories. Getting to work in the last ever Ringling Brothers show in NY City, this just helped to fuel this ever growing desire to see the world even more.

Granted the work was back braking with 16 hours days, almost nonstop movement, and well.. the pay left a lot to be desired… it was and is an experience I would do again.

Circus is my first love.

The Tipping Point

In the winter of 2018, several travel friends I met while in South East Asia came and stayed with me in Atlanta Ga. They told me stories of their adventures. Over a bottle of wine, I realized they were living a dream that I wanted to live as well. (*I never said it, but Thank you Anika and Diego! Your story’s stirred my heart.)

It was hard to give up the dream of owning a circus, to walk away from so many hours of training, and a successful company to chase a desire. Frankly, I am a little sad and the “what if’s”, do pop in to mind every now and again, but when the road calls you must listen. When you listen its all you hear. Since then I have been gearing up to set out on adventure. Working to shift from the life of circus, to the life of travel.

It seems however that Circus and Travel are closely aligned.

• Few people run away to join a circus, and few want to travel for their lives.
• To travel you must be willing to do it with your full heart, like you perform in a ring.
• You must be willing to meet and accept people of any types both in a Circus and on the road.
• Travel and Circus are the same, one plays out in a round ring, one in a round world!

My mission now is to pass along travel knowledge to others who wish to take the leap. To help with guidance, knowledge and accounts of what its like to be on the road. Lets work together to make you the best traveler you can be!