How I became a contortionist and unlocked my potential | Aryn Shelander | TEDxManhattanBeach

A riveting performance and talk by contortionist and foot-archer, Aryn Shelander. Disrupting her own beliefs about the limits of the human body, Aryn shares her journey to becoming a professional artist. Aryn reminds us it's never too late to follow our dreams and unlock our hidden potential. Aryn Shelander is a multi-talented artist, trained in the intricate art of Mongolian Contortion and the visionary behind aerial archery. She has graced the stages of renowned talent shows including America’s Got Talent and France’s Got Talent, and captivated audiences across North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean. Raised in San Francisco, Aryn’s upbringing revolved around gymnastics, dance, art, and chess. Her passion for creative expression led her to forge a unique path at UC Berkeley, where she crafted her own degree known as Cognitive Design. Balancing her days designing mobile apps and her evenings training and performing in the circus, Aryn dedicated seven years to honing her craft. She ventured to Mongolia with her contortion coach and this transformative trip equipped her with profound skills and propelled her towards becoming a full-time circus artist, driven by an insatiable thirst to explore the human experience through the captivating medium of Mongolian Contortion. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx