Alisha Rickman Talks Circus Training, Business Challenges, & The Importance of Presence
Imagine you're on a grand adventure in a magical circus kingdom. This kingdom isn't just about dazzling performances; it's about the journey of growth, balance, and discovery.
Alisha Rickman, our guide, is like a seasoned circus performer—someone who's mastered the art of walking the tightrope of business and personal growth. In this kingdom, the tightrope represents the delicate balance of being present and appreciating the moment while striving for continuous improvement.
As you start your journey, you quickly learn that the tightrope isn't easy to walk. It requires immense focus, strength, and body awareness—traits you see in Alisha’s practice of hand-to-hand in the circus. You'll encounter obstacles, such as technology trying to pull you off balance by making you obsess over tracking and optimization. Alisha suggests countering this with simple yet powerful five-minute exercises to stay grounded—much like a circus performer warming up before a big act.
Next, you'll find Alisha's circus kingdom nestled in a bustling city like Phoenix, where finding the right tent (or rather, the perfect space with the necessary ceiling height) is no small feat. It's like searching for the elusive perfect spot to pitch your tent while ensuring it can accommodate the magnificent aerial acts.
The Kingdom
In this kingdom, feedback and communication are your guiding stars. Alisha emphasizes the importance of clear communication and managing expectations, whether it's settling disputes among performers (or, in your quest, handling conflicts among fellow adventurers) or making crucial business decisions. Honest feedback helps you navigate the twists and turns of your journey, ensuring you stay on your path.
Along the path, you'll encounter financial dragons—a million-dollar debt—that threaten to derail your dreams of expanding your circus. Yet, with discipline, wise budgeting, and a strong support system, you learn to tame these financial beasts. Alisha’s story teaches you that the risk is part of the adventure, and with resilience, you can transform challenges into stepping stones.
The journey is also about healing and recovery, much like Alisha’s recovery from her ACL surgery. Every stumble and fall teaches you more about your strengths and limitations, reminding you to be kind to your body and listen to its needs.
Finally, the kingdom is alive with the spirit of inclusivity. Like the welcoming tent of Alisha’s Arizona Circus Center, your adventure welcomes people of all ages and fitness levels. That inclusiveness fosters a sense of belonging and joy, making the journey more enriching for everyone.
So, as you leave this magical circus kingdom, take with you the lessons of balance, clear communication, resilience through financial challenges, and the importance of being present. Whether you’re a budding tightrope walker or an aspiring aerialist, remember that each step, each stumble, and each triumphant moment is part of your grand circus adventure.
Enjoy the episode!
YouTube: youtu.be/09A8XJZnSUw
Podcast Apps: found.ee/SCS
Show Notes: TheSocialChameleon.Show/Alisha-Rickman
🔑 Key Themes 🔑
Physical and Mental Circus Training Discipline
The Importance of Being Present
Managing a Circus Business
Using and Overcoming Technology
Balancing Fundamental and Advanced Skills
Recovery and Determination Post-ACL Surgery
Real-world Skills vs. Traditional Education
🎓 Lessons Learned 🎓
Discipline and Physical Fundamentals
Building a strong foundation is crucial for safety and longevity in circus arts, preventing unnecessary wear and tear.
Balancing Present and Future
Appreciate the moment and celebrate achievements without constantly looking for the next goal to maintain mental wellness.
Tech vs. Body Awareness
Emphasize listening to your body's needs over relying on technology for tracking and over-optimization, ensuring a holistic approach.
Inclusive and Safe Spaces
Create an environment that welcomes all fitness levels, offering varied levels of circus disciplines for joy and decompression.
Effective Staff Communication
Regular check-ins and clear, honest feedback help manage expectations and resolve conflicts among staff and students.
Financial Risks and Rewards
Business ventures, especially construction projects, come with significant financial stress, but are necessary for growth and meeting demand.
Recovery and Patience
ACL surgery recovery varies greatly; a patient's commitment and lifestyle influence the timeline and success of their rehabilitation.
Seeking Work-Life Balance
Managing boundaries and hiring help can prevent burnout and lead to better personal and professional fulfillment.
Feedback and Growth
Providing constructive feedback without pandering is essential; direct communication and addressing issues head-on help align values.
Entrepreneurial Challenges
The fear of asking for help and needing to control every aspect can be mitigated by finding balance and trusting the team.
*** Challenge ***
- Alisha issues an engaging weekly challenge to our listeners: dedicate 5 minutes each day to engage your senses fully and be present in the moment. Sounds simple? Trust us, it’s transformative.
Listen to this week's challenge: youtu.be/09A8XJZnSUw?si=4aSksP0-4T4tdGY-&t=4661
Meet Alisha Rickman
Alisha is not just a storyteller and influencer; she's a catalyst for engagement, inspiration, and unity. Her journey in the world of business and personal development has seen her orchestrating special events, crafting brand identities, and designing strategic marketing plans on both national and international stages.
Her entrepreneurial spirit has been a guiding force throughout her life. A noticeable gap in high-level circus training in Phoenix sparked her transformation from passionate advocate to small business owner. With over a decade of experience in the event and circus industry, Alisha co-founded what is now known as The Arizona Circus Center in September 2022.
The Arizona Circus Center is more than just a training facility; it's a vibrant hub of creativity and growth. Alisha's dedication to excellence is evident in every aspect of the center. In just a few short years, she's introduced a range of initiatives, including youth camps, performance tracks, student showcases, and open stages. The center’s full-scale circus productions highlight its dynamic and energetic atmosphere.
Alisha's connection to the circus arts goes beyond her professional achievements. As a skilled Hand-to-Hand artist, she continues to train, perform, and share her expertise in tumbling, handstands, and hand-to-hand with her students. Her personal involvement in the circus community is a testament to her passion and serves as a powerful source of inspiration for those she coaches.
AZCC
The Arizona Circus Center is a place for circus artists of all levels to come together and develop their skills in various circus disciplines. They offer a wide range of recreational and professional aerial, acrobatic, and ground-based classes in an environment that encourages the growth of both athleticism and artistry. The community-oriented center provides a safe and fun place for people of all ages and skill levels to express themselves and hone their craft.
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Books by Brené Brown
- Alisha mentions finding comfort and support during mental challenges by reading books by Brené Brown. This was particularly true during the challenges she faced in the first two years of owning a business.
What was the most important/impactful and or favorite Brené Brown book for you? "Daring Greatly has been my favorite so far! It has really guided me to being the leader I would like to be one day." Alisha
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
From thought leader Brené Brown, a transformative new vision for the way we lead, love, work, parent, and educate that teaches us the power of vulnerability.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.”—Theodore Roosevelt
Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. Based on twelve years of pioneering research, Brené Brown PhD, MSW, dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and argues that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage.
Brown explains how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity. She writes: “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.”
Daring Greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. In a world where “never enough” dominates and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. It’s even a little dangerous at times. And, without question, putting ourselves out there means there’s a far greater risk of getting criticized or feeling hurt. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena—whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision for letting ourselves be seen.
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