Early in the spring of 1995, When she was 5 years old, she was taken by her aunt to see a travelling circus which passed through her small town in southwest China.0:24
Chun Mi became immediately fixated on the idea of becoming a travelling performer.0:34
"The sights, smells, and sounds of the big top attracted me," she recalls.0:39
"Everything just seemed so magical.0:45
The atmosphere was like nothing I'd ever experienced."0:47
Of all the acts, Chun Mi was most captivated by the trapeze artists.0:51
I remember thinking to myself how wonderful it must be to fly through the air for a living, she says.0:55
I couldn't take my eyes off the performers as they spun, flipped, and flew above my head.1:01
Chun Mi laughs as she remembers her 5-year-old self.1:07
By the time the routine was halfway through, I'd made up my mind that one day I too would be a circus trapeze artist.1:10
Chun Mi's road to circus stardom began soon afterwards.1:19
She took ballet classes, acting lessons, gymnastics classes, anything to hone her craft.1:22
At 13, she won a scholarship to Canada's National Circus School.1:28
Her talent at the school was such that she was expected to go on to great things.1:32
At 18, she was headhunted by a scout from Collington Brothers Circus.1:37
Today, Chun Mi is one of their star acts.1:42
Flying through the air, defying gravity, living the dream she imagined as a little girl.1:45
Trapeze artistry is not a job for the faint-hearted.1:51
But for Chun Mi, the adrenaline of aerial performance is better than anything a regular job could offer.1:54
It's like a dream, flying.2:00
When you do a great performance on the trapeze, and everything goes well, it's such an incredible feeling.2:02
I do my best to project that feeling to the audience.2:08
To become a trapeze artist requires the right body type.2:11
Only small bodies can bend, twist, turn, and twirl at a moment's notice.2:15
Mental toughness and natural talent are also key.2:21
Chun Mi had these qualities right from the very beginning.2:24
"I've never trained a more determined child," recalls James Ford, her coach at the National Circus School.2:28
"Her form, natural ability, and willpower to cope with the intense training were remarkable."2:34
However, ask Chung Mi what it takes to be a trapeze artist, and she says training—lots of it.2:39
"I'd say, first of all, that trapeze artistry is not magic; it's effort," she states.2:46
"You have to work extremely hard in order to master the stunts and make them look effortless."2:51
So, what of life under the big top?2:57
Is it as carefree and glamorous as it appears from the outside?3:00
'Yes and no,' says Chun Mi.3:04
'Being in a circus is the perfect job when you're young because you get to travel the world.3:07
Already I've experienced more cultures and met more people than I could ever have imagined.'3:12
Chun Mi also speaks of the thrill of performing in front of a live audience.3:18
'Every day I get to hear the sounds of people applauding for me.3:23
I get to see the awe I inspire in people.3:26
It's written all over their faces.'3:29
"It's a huge adrenaline rush," she admits.3:31
As for the downside, Chun Mi identifies the long work hours, constant traveling, and aches and pains that are all part of her profession.3:35
"Audiences see the lights and the glitter, but few realize the hard work and sacrifices we make," she says.3:43
"As entertainers, it is expected that we perform even when sick.3:50
Circus performers live by the motto, 'The show must go on!'"3:54
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