- METAMORPHOSIS -

​

This will be my 4th, annual aerial performance from the Index bridge. Every show is different, as I am a body of water that is always changing. Life feels challenging when we resist these changes. I've gone through several phases of Metamorphosis, as we all do. They say that, if you try to help a butterfly out of it's cocoon before it's ready, it will die. It's wings build their strength through the struggle, or the flames of transformation as David Ji would call it. Jim Rohn calls it "Character", which means to "Chisel oneself". Much like the Colorado River chisels out the Grand Canyon. Shifting my perspective on adversity has been a game changer, as I was not given an easy start in life. I've grown to appreciate my struggles & those who danced those dances with me.

​

This journey would not have been as successful or as possible without the people who have supported, inspired, & encouraged me along the way. I want to acknowledge each of you (the list is long) - who help keep this dream alive.​ I also want to thank the many musicians, authors, & speakers who face adversity following the calling of their art. Keep doing what you do, because you inspire me to keep doing what I do! 

I've been training over rivers & waterfalls all over Washington to Montana, my home state. I decided to put myself out there for my "Samurai Camp" goal & do my first official performance. All of the fears came to the surface, yet I stayed committed to my goal. I decided that I wanted to be an ambassador for the river, health & the earth through my art. I wanted to inspire others to treat our "bodies of water" with more respect.

 

I often dedicate part of my act to the river, wilderness, & the salmon. My deeper, long-term intention is to reduce plastic pollution & trash that I often find in these sacred places along the rivers. The river provides so much for us, so I choose to dedicate my life & my art to the rivers, water, creativity & drawing out the best in others.

I also dedicate parts of my performance to a cause or special people in my life. My little sister recently was in a car accident & became a quadriplegic overnight. This became a valuable lesson for me, even after working through my own debilitating injuries, to cherish every moment, every person & every breath. I think of her, her 4yr old son, & many others when I'm out over the rivers processing my own grief, hope, & creativity. She has been such a courageous & resilient woman who inspires me in many ways, as well as many others in my family & friend circle.

 

​Drug & alcohol abuse were heavy in my family environment growing up. I find this a coincidence that my van was hit by a drunk driver while I was sleeping in it, so I'm working to rebuild my van so that I can literally take "the show on the road!" This compels me to strive to summon my best Self every day & show up with gratitude so that I can be more present in people's lives. I use my art as a way to keep my habits, attitude, & my thoughts in check. My rivers of energy can feel turbulent at times... movement, music, creativity, community, river plunges & hydration help me to balance out my frequencies. 

I talk a lot about "hydration & nutrition".. more & more I see the immeasurable value of clean, living water, movement, & natural food from the earth. It is the source of all life. It is also what fuels much of my process & performance out there.

Bruce Lee was correct when he said, "Be Water, My Friend."