Fitness professional by day. Glitter-covered gremlin by night.

Were you one of those kids who grew up dancing or acting onstage? Yeah, me neither.

I always wanted to dance, so when I discovered hooping in 2011, I was immediately obsessed. This was also the first time I regularly exercised because it was the first time exercise was fun. (I was already a year into my exercise science degree. The irony is not lost on me.) By 2012, I dipped my toes into the performing world.

I had NO idea what I was doing. I had the longest stage name ever (Lil Red Riding Hoop), and I did gigs for gas money (as I came sputtering in with my 250,000 mile Honda). But there was something MAGICAL about making people smile while I was onstage.

In 2017, I began incorporating burlesque into my routines. I found a new avenue to be creative and to feel empowered. I learned how to surprise people. I have given a bowl of cereal a lap dance, acted VERY hungover, escaped from a straitjacket, and worn a full-on beard…and loved every moment.

In 2018, I discovered aerial hoop, or lyra. I had dabbled in aerials before. But I fell for lyra, and I feel HARD (sometimes literally). Of course, I promised myself to keep aerials as a hobby and not let myself turn it into work. I promised I would never teach or perform aerials for money. Well……oops.

So here I am. Just like baby Ellie cruising into gigs in their beat-up Honda, slightly older Ellie is now cruising into the world of sharing their passions with the world. Just now, I own a Prius.

Join me in this messy, clumsy journey as I stumble my way to sharing my passions for creativity and movement with the world…I hope!

xx

Ellie