Secrets 15: How to Leap into a Creative Life - starting again
What I learned from Laura-Ann Chong:
Your life path doesn't need to look a particular way. There are opportunities that don’t look like they are opportunities and then they are!
Not all will work out but you will at least try and gain experience and connections and insights and stories.
How to look at creation from inside out: within a job that you may not see as your dream job... Take your access point any way you can!
Make an impression that lasts by giving them value.
Show up with all your tools and know that you can leave anytime you want but you choose to stay because it's interesting work.
Enthusiastic about connecting artists with their audiences and championing athletes’ rights, Laura-Ann’s passions naturally extend from her experience as a professional performer, a former elite gymnast and her ongoing efforts with community involvement.
Laura-Ann worked both under the spotlight as an acrobat and behind-the-scenes in public relations during her seven years with Cirque du Soleil. As chair of the tour's Social Committee, improving tour morale and employee connectivity were both high priorities. During the pandemic, Laura-Ann partnered with former colleagues to co-found the Projet Lumiére Project which focused on keeping the circus and performing arts communities united.
Starting at the age of two, Laura-Ann vaulted into competitive gymnastics with flare. She balanced her physical training and academic pursuits to win an athletic scholarship for her undergraduate studies. Laura-Ann was named a two-time All-American gymnast, an alternate for the 2004 Canadian Olympic team and a NCAA PAC-10 Conference champion. During her stint on Amaluna, Laura-Ann discovered another passion for public relations while working behind the scenes for Cirque.
From Coquitlam, BC, Laura-Ann has worked in London, England, and toured with Cirque through North America, Europe and South America. She completed her bachelor's degree in Exercise & Sport Science with a minor in Psychology at Oregon State University. Laura-Ann is a Public Relations Executive in Canada.
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Laura Ann connects artists with audiences and champions, athletes rights. Laura Ann's passions naturally extend from her experience as a professional performer. And Olympic hopeful to her role as a public relations executive.
I asked to interview Laura, and because I was curious about living a creative life and her elite athletic mindset, what I uncovered was more than what I expected, truly, a creative person who succeeded in a world of high performance with an expectation of results.
She paved her own path. She chose community centered connections as her intention when working with organizations, Laura Ann showed me that when that element was there, it allowed her to make new choices that weren't necessarily self directed options. When you connect, you explore decisions are harder when made internally it's better to connect, to experiment and to see the world how it really.
And not what you think it is. Laura Ann also took on opportunities that weren't ideal. It might be what you want, but not perfect. And she made a spectacular success from those opportunities. Laura Ann shows who she is and who she wants to be, and it's not a label or a title. She is pure creative genius, please welcome Laura Ann or LA for short.
you're based in Vancouver. Are you downtown Vancouver? I
am not I'm in Coquitlam actually so out in the suburbs, and then basically as soon as high school finished, I went off to university in the States and have barely been home since. So this pandemic has been kid's been quite the change.
. Whoa. So you were raise a Coquitlam. And then all of a sudden, like what took you to get like a scholarship in the States?
Well, when I was training in gymnastics, I had two goals. One was to go to the Olympics and the second was to get a scholarship in the, in the U S um, a sports scholarship. So, uh, my, yeah, that was just kind of like the two paths I knew gymnastics could lead me to. Um, and it was just like, yeah, that's what happens after, after high school, if you go to the States and you get to compete for four more years or your school.
So there wasn't really another choice. Not that I like there, wasn't another choice that I wanted to entertain, you know? Sure. Yeah.
Well gymnastics, like we, there was a choice in that moment. What brought you to do that? Like, why choose that?
Actually, I began when I was two years old, so I had gone to, I think he was my second cousin or cousin once removed at a I forget what the whole family relation is.
Um, anyways, it was his like second or third birthday and they did it at a gymnastics club. And my parents sell it. Obviously I don't have these memories. Right.
Oh my God. Parents told me that they, uh, that I just loved the.
Gymnastics. I loved flipping around. I loved going into the gym and when I was at home, I was always climbing on the furniture or we have these like banisters in our house and I would literally monkey climb up the banister. It was like my party trick. You think they're like, well, feet tall and you know, whenever we'd have family gatherings or something, that'd be like welcoming the family.
Cause one of the baddest stairs was right by the front door that one's like 20 feet tall. It's like two stories up. And
I'm like, your parents were proud
letting me do this. And now that I'm older, I'm like, I would never let my child climb up there.
Well, and they did. And because they knew how much joy it brought.
You. Wow
actually. Yeah. And so then, um, we went into Gymboree, you know, and then, and it was, I think the instructor there who was like, you know, I think your daughter has some natural talent. You might want to consider enrolling her in actual gymnastics classes. And, um, just from there, it became my life and loved it.
And, uh, here I am today still being kind of. On have them. It's not really what they
need, but yeah. There's well, that's, that's a great that's could be a good theme. Your life is a flip, right? I just want to honor your, your mom and dad for seeing and nurturing the spark, the light that they saw in you. that's seeing the, you know, the light that's leading you in your life.
You know, my parents were and are the most supportive parents ever. Um, or my gymnastics, they were so involved. And honestly, I feel bad for my sister, my brother, because they also got very involved, whether it was their choice or not their light, but, you know, without them, like they became, um, board members that are gymnastics club.
my mom became like team managers and chaperones at nationals for team BC they would, you know, do whatever they could to try and support me and my dreams. And I, a lot of the times I was oblivious to exactly what they were doing. But now that I'm older, I see that. And, um, you know, my brother would have to drive me out to Abbotsford for training.
Or pick me up at night at like eight, 9:00 PM because my parents were coaching or had a board meeting or something like that. Right. And so my brother who's four years older. he would pick up dinner or cook dinner, drive it out to me and Abbotsford so I could eat it in the car on the way home. Because by the time I got home, I still had to do my homework.
Right. I was still going to school, to public school. I wasn't homeschooled So I only went for half a day. I went till like lunchtime and then I had to go train. and my younger sister who's four years younger. She also was in gymnastics, for quite a few years with me as well. And so she got involved that way, but, um, yeah, they were, my whole family was helping out at competitions and running the volunteer judging.
My mom even became a judge. , like gymnastics took over our family. And I think that's probably what gave a little riff between me and my brother when we were, I was in high school, you know, he's like, so over it. but now, now we're good.
He's so caring and compassionate and like, honestly, even now it's like, wow, I don't know if he really understands how thankful I am for him. so Richard, if you ever listen to this, thank you. I would not be here without you. I'd be starving in the Agradome or whatever in Abbotsford is like waiting to be picked up.
Yeah.
Sitting on the curb.
So did you meet your Olympic dream?
I became the alternate, but 2004 Olympics. So almost,
I don't know. Like, How did you look at that situation as an alternate?
Honestly, it was, um, my experience on national team was always kind of a fight.
Um, there was a lot that went on, gymnastics politics, if you want to call it that or just toxic cultures. Um, there was a lot that was happening. when it came to the Olympic trials and the selection committee and all that, that had to go into the whole, um, consideration of who was actually gonna make team or not, I had.
You know, I kind of knew it was a long shot, but at the same time still had this extreme desire and hope that I would still be named. So when the final list came out, I wasn't shocked. I was obviously devastated and disappointed. but with the circumstances I kind of was like, yeah, well, of course, you know, that who's on the team.
And it wasn't me. And so after Olympics, I, I would say I took a few weeks off, which in gymnastics would be take two days off. It's like, wow. and so I'm taking a few weeks off, was like a huge, okay, what, what now? Kind of thing. But as I said, I always had the two dreams of going to the Olympics and getting the scholarship.
then it was like, all right, well, that's over with now. Let's focus on school and what school program I can get into. and there was still the individual competitions that could happen. Pan-American games and world championships and Commonwealth games. Like there was still so much help I could go for.
So it was, kind of a relief to just, okay. Let's take a moment. Let's step back. You know, flush, flush out all that Juju and just kind of finally do this for me and not for a selection committee.
Oh, wow. Feel
that energy shift that light. It seems lighter thinking about it, doing it for me.
Yeah. when I w cause at the time I was 16, you know, so who, I don't really remember if it was completely, like I took ownership of it all, but there was definitely a change. You know, it was definitely more of, okay. Now let's focus on the school program where I want to go from here.
Yeah.
did you focus on your scholarship as well?
Yes, exactly. So, I was 16. So at the time, recruiters from the NCAA schools were not allowed to contact you until you were in your. I believe your grade 11 year though, was still finishing up my grade 10th year.
at the time my coach was very close to a coach at, uh, UC Berkeley. So university of California, Berkeley, and that year. So I think it was in 2004, um, that elite Canada, which is in December, uh, that which came up and he actually was rooming with my coach just because they were friends. You know, so I proxy, I kind of got to have more conversations with him, um, not necessarily about recruiting, but of course I started building that connection just because I was like, Oh, he's my friends or my coaches, friends.
And, uh, lo and behold, three months later, I ended up verbally committing to Cal Berkeley because of him, because I was like, I really like his vibe. I really liked
his coaching.
Like what I could understand from his coaching techniques or. Whatever. And of course my parents were like, Oh my gosh, UC Berkeley, that'd be an amazing school to go to.
You'd be in San Francisco, you know? Um, yeah. And so I verbally committed without even going down to the program to see the campus, or like meeting the head coach because he was only the assistant coach at the time. eventually I think it was actually a year later, he ended up leaving the program.
And so then I was like, okay, well now what I was coming for you, I don't know. I don't even head coach. I've never even, I don't know any of the gym there. And so, um, yeah, and then eventually I, and by then it was already later in the recruiting process. So most of the other schools that I was getting recruiting letters for and interest from had already filled their spots backed away.
They heard I was off, you know, I had already verbally committed, so they're not going to continue reaching out. Um, and so, yeah, I kind of was like, Oh no, I just, I just lost that chance to get to like a D one division one school. Um, but luckily Oregon state really quickly jumped on me. And, um, the coaches, Michael and Tanya Chaplin came up to Vancouver to visit.
And I just fell in love with they were husband and wife team. It was really, yeah, it was just really like automatically this family vibe you got from them. and it was an Oregon and my family used to go and camp in Oregon all the time when we were younger. So it was like returning home plus tax-free shopping, which my parents still go every year.
Well, except last year in the border closure, but yeah, so it ended up working out.
I, I'm getting a sense of your family and the support, the way that they add support. It's not like they're throwing all their support toward you. They're looking at life as an adventure through you.
Yeah. that's it actually.
they, they've always been very, uh, supportive of whatever dream we want to do. Um, But with the reality, realistic mindset still, even when I was going fast forward, like even when I was mentioned, I was going to Circe my parents. My dad especially was very like, well, what about physio school?
Cause that's what I was. Going to going to getting my undergrad it, and that was to go and be a physio eventually. So it took a few years for him to like really come around, I think completely. And so he, uh, he eventually, you know, saw how much fun I was having and how successful it was being by doing.
My art and my gymnastics in a different light, in a different way, and being able to touch, communities in all kinds of cultural diversity and, um, all around the world. So, um, so yeah, obviously he's fully on board now and, uh,
so yeah, you were going to finish physio and did that happen?
That did not happen?
So after I had finished my four years competing at Oregon state. I took a fifth year to finish up my studies, because I had one more course out of my, out of my major that wasn't offered until the spring semester, the following year was only offered once a year.
So you have to wait the whole year to take it. That's when I decided, okay, well, let's do a psychology minor, um, to fill up the time and I love psychology as well. Um, so my, my bachelor's is the next size in sports science.
So the plan was to go to physio school. Um, Which is, yeah, you have to get a master's if you want to practice up here in Canada or in the States, you have to get a doctorate degree.
so either way it's grad school, so I'm busy, you know, filling out applications that year, um, submitting it. And then I find out I, I got an interview, um, But I didn't get, I didn't get into most
people. Most people get rejected on the first try. I've heard
in Canada, especially there were at the time only 10 physio programs and they only allowed 30 to maybe 50 students each.
So it is very intensive and. Because I was coming from an American school, it was also having to try and prove that our curriculums were adequate . you know, the courses they're called different things, but you're still covering the same topics and it got very. Convoluted in that sense. So I'm not using that as an excuse, but I totally am.
Well, we're talking about hurdles and I think the whole education system is about that. And I think the fact that again, you're you keep trying and you're going, and you have a sear, you've got proof that you've had a series of rejection or just almost there almost made it. Right with the systems that are also designed to reject on your first attempt, like or whatever, you know, subjective ways
things.
So how do you navigate that? I've never thought of it that way, but totally true. You know, I, um, yeah, from the Olympics, not making it to. How Berkeley, you know, that whole thing happening, although it ended up working out for the better, well, if anything, everything that I've had to overcome, all the, all the almost I think, ended up working out for the better, obviously.
Um, but yeah, and then not getting into grad school. So I didn't get into grad school. And then I'm at home, uh, back in Vancouver at this point. And I was like, well, now what? Um, Oh, it's 2011. Hey, 2012 Olympics are next year. And my body feels great and college taught me how to be in love with gymnastics and how much fun you can have with it.
And I just really missed it. And I was like, okay. So I contacted my coach, David, Ken Wright, and I was like, you think we could do this? Like, I don't know. I'm kind of crazy right now. I haven't even trained for a year and almost a year and a half at that point. so I don't know, I don't know how my body's going to react, but would you be willing to help me?
And he goes, we need bar workers on the national team right now. And that's your strongest event though? Yes.
So he's already like, how
can we make
this happen? I want you now in this thing,
our technician, like uneven bars is his event. Like he, he loves it. So, , we made it through, um, yeah, I think that was in August maybe. And, my first competition was already in probably November, for trials, for, for national team called elite Canada. Yeah. That was really fast. I can't say I was like, Excited to compete then. Cause it's just like, I, I didn't feel ready, but you know, it was all part of the process.
but yeah, it was, it was a big learning curve. I knew if I didn't go for it, I would have that regret of well, what if I, um, but it was definitely also eyeopening in the sense of, okay. Elite gymnastics is not what collegiate gymnastics is about. it's a completely different world. I'm training with girls 10, 12 years younger than me who are also trying to go to the same Olympics.
Uh, so there, there was a lot of different dynamics. I had to kind of wrap my head around and, you know, I, I even remember having a conversation with my coach saying, Hey, I'm not the same as I was when I was 16 at the time I was 21 now. And so I don't think I can do the same amount of numbers as a 16 year old girls.
Can, you know, I'm not going to be able to be doing all four events in one day, because in college we only trained three events a day and we would alternate, you know, one day we would do volt one day we would do floor and alternate. The you're not doing that impact that's much. And so it was a learning curve for both of us to just realize like, okay, our bodies are a little bit older, how can we maintain?
And yet, you know, and, and still progress and for the route that we want to go. but yeah, I think it was around at a competition around March that I started to have a feeling of, Oh, I don't know if I really want to do this whole elite thing again. Um, But I was at a competition in Montreal and that sort of the search of slate headquarters are.
And so of course at that competition circle, circuit banners were everywhere promoting. And I have to say leading up to like all the way through my gymnastics career, up to that point, I never even considered Circe de Soleil display. It was just like, it's there. I know some gymnast go into it, but I want to be a physio.
Yeah. But, yeah. And then I started talking to the physio who was there and mentioning how, yeah, I'm doing this because I didn't get into physio school. Probably the same. Yeah. I was like, how do you become this physio? You know, just kind of asking what his path was like. And he mentioned he was the, he used to be the head physio at Cirque de Solei.
And I was like, Oh, that's really cool. And so I'm gonna start planting the seed like, well, what if I joined Cirque? That'd be. That'd be fun, right? Like then I can still do gymnastics, but in a much lighter way. And it's, it's again, that transition out of elite gymnastics, but, um, like without competition, but having fun doing it.
So I think that planted the seed. And then, um, eventually after nationals, I decided I was like, you know, I'm not. I came third on bars by the way, which is really cool. So I got my medal. Yes. But I remember them announcing me as the oldest competitor. Cause at the time, at the time, um, gymnastics, wasn't what it is today.
Uh, now we're seeing people who are in their twenties, like Simone Biles and Allie Raisman and all these bigger names, um, because it has become more of a power sport. But when I was competing, it was still very much like 16 to 18 year olds. at the Olympics.
I just have to interject because I really love the fact that you are thinking about your body holistically and thinking about your dreams in a broader sense that is there something left on the table.
And then again, going, trying something that lead my lead you to something that you've spent, how many years with Circe, because you had to see yourself. In something in order to cross that, I mean, that metaphor of the bridge. I do. I do think that's what it is. It's if I see myself there and I, and I can see parts of me, and then all of a sudden things take shape, otherwise it's just a traveling circus that's going around and you just go, Oh, that's just an event.
And you don't really plant who you are in there. Like it's, it's not that right.
It's all about relativity. Right. I actually thought that, like I thought I knew about Cirque de Solei. I knew people, other gymnast who had gone to Circe du Soleil, but I had never placed myself into that environment until I started making personal connections with people who had been there and hearing their stories and being like, wow, that's really cool.
I kind of want to do that too. Yeah, I think that's, what's led me to who I am today is like learning about people's stories and just kind of finding out about new experiences that you could have.
you needed
a connection, you needed a connection to Berkeley. You needed a connection to Oregon.
Like you, all your choices were about what's there that I can see myself in and be a part of and contribute.
Definitely. And I. I think that goes back to some of the stuff that happened in gymnastics is because I never felt like I was necessarily welcomed on that team or like, you know, it was, I was there, I was one of the numbers that they were going to have to cut or whatever.
Right. Like it wasn't my place to be there. And so then after the Olympics, And after 2004 and finding out I wasn't on team and it was like, okay, from here on now, I'm going to make sure that I'm wanted where I'm going to go. And I, yeah. As you said, need that connection to believe that I could be there because it had been removed from me for so long prior.
Yeah. That's cool. So . You, you, you got your metal And then. Like, did that bring you back to Vancouver after being in Montreal?
I came back to Vancouver and that's when the real discussion of are we going to go for the whole selection, camps and training camps and trials Olympic trials for 2012.
And that's when I was like, you know what? I know I don't, I was mature enough to realize, I knew exactly what the mental discipline was going to be and the commitment and dedication that it needed, I needed to happen. and I just. I'm just not there anymore.
You know?
It sounds like the fun
that you were, you wanted fun. You went to college. You'd said, uh, right away, like it was about, they made me love gymnastics again. And I think you were starting to
make that shift.
Yes, exactly. So I believe it was after nationals. I was at that competition in Montreal.
I started to, tape my demo to submit, to Circe du Soleil
that's what I've seen
on YouTube because people
probably,
I love it.
Oh, my
gosh, I, if I watch it now, I'm like, Oh my God. Cause now that I've been in Circe, I know what they look for and you know, what they actually want to see. And I'm just like, Oh wow.
Why am I saying that? Or like putting that in, like they don't care about that. I think it was like a 12 minute video and really, they look at it for like three minutes, you know, but whatever
brilliant. You're inspiring young people. And you're showing them what's possible.
No, thank you so much. But yeah. So after nationals I had submitted my demo officially, and then, basically it was just kind of waiting around again Then I actually got invited that summer to the Circe du Soleil headquarters in Montreal to do a training program. It was called general formation, um, or information general in French.
Um, and it was basically my French well, I was about to say no bueno. That's how good my French is.
I've done that.
Yeah. Um, But, yeah. And so it was a program that Circe put together where they would bring in various artists, to basically train them on how to be an artist. You know, they would prep them for when a contract would open. So you didn't have a guarantee that there was a contract, but you would learn, obviously different.
Acrobatic skills, but also character building, acting, dance, makeup lessons, everything, and anything that you needed in order to be a successful artist in the, in the program or in the company.
Wow.
That was amazing. we were actually the last cohort for that program. because after that they ended up doing more specific trainings.
So only if there was an opening, they would bring you in. and I think it's a really big loss to be honest, but who knows maybe now with the reformation of Circe we don't know what's going to be happening and maybe that's a priority that they've realized, Oh, they bring that back, but who knows who yeah.
But, yeah. And so I had a great time. It was two and a half months in Montreal where I was working with, people from all around the world. And that's what I loved. I loved that, that connection and we all stayed in the same residence right across from the actual headquarters.
So it was like a dorm of Circe du Soleil artists. We didn't always understand each other there. the Russian troops, they did not speak a word of English, but we would learn Russian by playing pool with them. And they would learn English by playing pool with us. Cool. And, uh, the Chinese troopers there and they would make their Chinese dinners and they would invite me in which was nice.
Cause it was like a little bit of home cooking, you know? so yeah, it was just an amazing experience. And then I had to go home after the end of my program and I waited seven. Month and until, I heard back from third. Oh. So that was also devastating because as I said, when you got into this program, there was no guarantee that you were going to have a contract, but you were, obligated to stay available for up to six months for them because they just invested all this time and money into you.
Right. And so, yeah. So during those first six months, I'm at home still training, as much as I could. But also like, well, what if I never get a contract? You know? And then once that six months market, I was like, I think even my parents were like, so what are you doing?
Your parents are waiting at knock knock at your bedroom door. Oh, six
months. What's going on now?
Like, it's like, Oh, well, it's kind of. Similar to the pandemic times, you know, I'm back in the same bedroom and there's like, so no, I'm kidding.
They wanted like,
this is not a dorm anymore.
Thank goodness. They are again, very supportive and aren't just kicking me out to the curb, but, uh, six months hit and then I even, I was like, okay, what am I doing? Like I, maybe I do. So get back into this physio game. And so I, I got a job at the clinic,
And, yeah, I think it was a month. Literally. I did my training for, for that new job. It was like 15 days or something, you know, like it ended up being like two and a half weeks. Yeah. For two weeks. And then I got an email from Circe being like, Hey, we have a contract for you on Amaluna. And we would love for you to join.
And I was just like, Oh my gosh, like, this is absolutely amazing, but I literally just finished training. Like it was the day after I finished my training program and I was like, Oh gosh, they're going to kill me. Bye. Yeah. See
you later.
um, so yeah, and I had. I think at the time my parents had just left for like a 40 day cruise, I sent my mom an email, I guess, very excitedly all in caps saying, call me as soon as you get this. Oh, but she lands from her flight thinking something horrible has happened because it's all in caps. I don't say like, I'm fine. I don't say, Oh, I have exciting news. It was just call me.
Panic. She's like, are you okay? What's going on? You know, I was like, yeah, I'm fine. Why? And he was like, well, you've kind of sent me this extreme panic message. I'm like, Oh no, I just got an email from Circe and they want me to join a show. So I'm not going to be here when you guys get back, I'm joining the circus.
so she still gives me, um, you know, she still gives me a hard time about that because she's like, you gave us a heart attack. Yeah.
I'm sorry. I could just see the email, like yeah, because
I should actually see if I can find it.
Yeah, absolutely. Oh, I love that line. I ran away. I'm not going to be here. I'm running away and joining the circus,
literally that, yeah. so yeah. And then, it was only a three week contract at the time, so it was
three weeks.
Yes, it was very short. And so at the time I was just like, this is my into the company, you know, I didn't even think twice about it. And, as we're speaking about hurdles jumping over, it became one of those things where I continued to extend this contract, more and more and more. So sometimes it was three weeks.
Sometimes it was two weeks. Sometimes it was a month. So I never really knew where I was and we talked about this whole sense of belonging and like, connection and wanting to see where we were. And so it was really hard for me because I couldn't really see, am I staying here a long time or am I just filling a void until I get into physio school again?
You know? and it became a running joke because I ended up being the artist who was. Permanently temporary. As in, I had signed 16, temporary contracts, four years, and I think I had left the show twice and then came like I had actually, you know, the overlap of the contracts wasn't quite there. So I actually did go home and then get called back like the next city or like a couple of weeks later or something like that.
you brought something special to this
position.
Right.
So what did they see? What did you think they saw to keep. Bringing you back. Well, you could
show somebody else.
Yeah, definitely. I mean, for one thing thing, they invest so much like to bring an artist onto a show. Because they have to consider all the trainings.
They have to consider the way the shows worked. It was like, okay, my show was called Amaluna, but then they have to pay Cirque de Solei. Or the coaching hours for the cast scene hours for the HR, like it's, you know, it's their own entity that they rent out from Cirque de Soleil so it's all of that stuff that goes into it as well.
And then you have to get your costumes made and the costumes are ridiculously expensive as well. Right. They're all handmade. So, yeah, it's a big investment, so it's not just like, okay, unless I royally screwed up, I was going to be that first person to keep coming back. and so I think also, you know, I, I was talented at what I was doing.
I was able to support the act where they needed support. And I like to say that I'm a good person to have around, you know, I love
bingo,
um, keeping the morale up and, and yeah. So you,
you're a
professional at uncertainty. Yeah. That's really what I'm, I'm seeing the pattern already.
Right?
It's funny that you say that because I, honestly, I don't like change I always.
I grew up being like, things can change, you know, like, cause, cause to me it was from a young age, like, as I said, gymnastics, I have two paths, but they are both going to the same way it's Olympics and then it's and then it's a scholarship. And then once I was in school in the States, it was okay.
Physio. that's when things started getting confusing. But up until that point, it was very like cookie cutter and I still have that mindset. Well, actually, no, maybe I don't, but
that's not true, but, um, but maybe, but because I had that foundation, you know, then it it's, yeah, it's been interesting to hear you say that I'm a master of uncertainty.
Well,
that's what leads me into your next iteration of yourself is the PR Now there's lots of little divergent stories around this.
So what made you choose PR.
Well, okay. So after my four years of being temporary contract, I finally, my 17th contract was a permanent contract.
Yay.
It was the end of our European tour. We were just about to head to South America. I finally got that permanent position and I was ecstatic. Everyone on the show for me was ecstatic as well.
Cause I had actually been there for longer than the majority of the people who had been there at that time, even though it was only temporary. yeah, so that's how much turnover we were starting to have. I think once I finally got that permanent position, I was like, okay, I have a home, I have a sense of belonging.
Now I can start to really make an impact, not just on stage, but like in the tour life and the whole community that we have. Cause we have about 120 people on tour and, it can get really lonely sometimes, you know, We're not allowed to go home for special occasions, holidays, weddings a lot are even hard to get time off because if you're gone, then someone else has to fill in.
Can someone fill in for you? I don't know. So I'm there. Yeah. I had to miss like my best friend's wedding. I was in Amsterdam and. Watching the thing on, on my screen, you know, crying because I wasn't there. But, um, but yeah, there was a lot of times that you miss out and that obviously can make you feel pretty isolated at times.
So I think it was around then when I started to really, I got elected to be the chair of our social committee on tour. And so one of the jobs was to. Just kind of find activities and the cities that we're visiting in.
So whether that was, going to children and youth hospitals, bringing artists in costume and makeup to the kids who were too sick to come see the shows or in poverty, where there was no way that they'd be able to come see the show. Those were always one of my favorite things that we would do, you know?
yeah, you really build that connection with the community and you get to see like what the reality is for a lot of these people. Oh, or we'd throw tour parties, you know, if it was our show's birthday or like the 2000 show or, or whatnot, we always did get celebrations for that. yeah.
And we'd find a lot of different ways to distract from what might be stressful times, through the direct work that we were doing. And so everyone was like LA or such. You're such a good leader, you know, like you always get people involved and. Uh, he always had like some classmates come up to me and she's like, yeah, even though I didn't want to come to the hospital, like you kinda nagging me to come and just like making me get it.
I'm so thankful because it actually was amazing to do, you know? And I was like, wow, that's so good there. So I started getting really close with our publicist who was on tour with us. I was like, Hey, do you think I could. I could like shadow you and just kind of see what you do. And, and at the time Circe actually implemented this new training program for artists 'cause they realize artists can't be acrobatic for their entire lives.
So what are you going to do after? And this allows you to kind of have like an internship. With someone else who's on tour, who is in a industry or, or trade that you might want to go and do afterwards. And so I, I did that with our publicist and it was awesome. I got to go to different events with her, you know, do some artist management as well.
And some media relations, even when they were on site with us. And it all kind of was like, yeah, this is, this is awesome. This is what I'm going to do. Because at the time I was like, I think that, um, I had looked into physio going back to school and I had saw, I saw that they were like, Oh, your prerequisites have to be within seven years of applying.
And at the time, like I had already taken my anatomy course probably 10 years ago. So I was like, well, okay, that's out the door. Like I'm not going to go and redo all my courses. And yeah, I honestly, I think I got more squeamish as the years went by because you get to see some pretty nasty things happen.
And, I was like, Hmm, I love physio. I have so much respect for them, but that's not what I want to do right now. This seems so much more fun, like throwing events and like getting people involved in communities, a community connection and all that. So, yeah, that's kind of what drove me into this whole PR.
Way of thinking.
You are moving toward what lights you up So you automatically were, excited because of the feelings that it generated. Whereas you looked and you had to, I mean, who likes going back to university and going through all the administrative requirements, like that's, that's like, boo
boring. Right?
I mean, I do have to say like, my dad would still send me a, Oh, Hey, there's like this sports medicine program, you know, like, Oh my gosh,
But no, as long as, you know, as long as, um, We're happy and we're motivated.
I think that's the biggest thing, you know, it's like, you're motivated to keep learning. You're motivated to keep. inspiring others. both my parents are very great mentors. Um, not just to our, the kids, uh, me and my brother and my sister. but like the people that they mentor, you know, um, they were both in the school system as teachers and then eventually principals and then superintendents and.
And so they, they know what it takes to be yeah. To start from the bottom, work your way up, but just building those connections is almost more important than. having letters after your name, although my parents would love that.
It's funny how your parents are and they're thinking about, Oh, it'd be great. If they, our kids had letters after their names, yet their spark and their energy. It was always about finding where you belong and being, and yeah. Being involved and creating the experience. And I think it just osmosis led you to this PR world, which I think is amazing is how we met through that, uh, connections there.
Yeah. So tell me, you just got a new job and you, Oh, first of all, scratch that. You're like a pro on clubhouse. How did that happen?
Honestly clubhouse. If I was a spokesperson for a clubhouse, they would be so excited because I've just been telling absolutely everyone about club house. But, um, then what happened was so in the fall of the pandemic, I decided, you know, Circe already filed for bankruptcy. All of our contracts got pulled.
Um, the project that I was about to. Go do, and B it was supposed to be a resident show, which I was super excited about, but that, that completely got canned so now it was really like, K I have no contract to be pulled back to. And I really enjoyed what I was doing in PR on tour. And I even had taken off, I took a sabbatical while I was on tour, uh, to go do some PR work in London and, in Europe.
So. I was pretty sure that that's the route I wanted to go with after acrobatics, and got to do some amazing experience. So I was like, I don't want to waste all that. You know, like that was so cool. And I had momentum, I'd have to say like once the pandemic hit, there was a few months where I was just like couch potato in not wanting to do anything, not even want to think about PR stuff.
but. I don't know, there was just a day, it was in the right. It was the right moment. And this Facebook ad popped up about Simon Fraser university's public relations certificate program. And I was like, huh. Okay. And I looked through it because I was like, as you just said, like going back to school, I don't want to be doing a two, four, three, four year program.
You know, this program was only nine weeks and six the, those weeks where classes and courses, where you got to learn from. Um, current PR professionals and then three of them are, sorry. Yeah. Three weeks were a practicum where you actually got to work with either an agency or a client. and yeah, got to actually utilize that because when I was on my sabbatical in London, I did take a PR course as well.
And it was not necessarily the most useful, the most practical I should say. So I, I came out of it thinking like, okay, there's still so much for me to learn and I don't feel comfortable doing anything on my own. Whereas after this program, I was like, wow, this is really great. I could get into this, like right away.
so yeah, so then I. He had made this connection. One of our guest speakers, his name was Rich Patterson. He actually is from new West and he was talking about to our class about merchandise and swag and how brands can use that. Um, then I was looking through his Instagram and then I see this video of this gymnast and I was like, huh, that's weird.
But I was like, wow. This girl is really good. So I messaged him and I was like, Hey, I was just looking. I'm like, who's this girl in this video. He goes, Oh, that's my daughter. And I was like, no way. That's so cool. And so his daughter, Sophie, Is hoping to go to the 20, 24 Olympics in Paris. Right. And so I was like, that's so cool.
Let's connect. And anyways, we started talking, I'm S I've started to mentor Sophie, and hopefully that I can be there for her, for her journey. But, Rich asked me, he was like, Hey, I was thinking of there's this new app called clubhouse. And I really want to host a room on How of raise high-performance athlete.
And I would love if you could be on the panel with me and, this kind of talk to us parents and like what works, what doesn't work, you know, where's that line of being overpowering, overbearing versus supportive. And I was like, this sounds so cool. Let's do it. So he's the one that invited me to clubhouse invites, you know, and I'm doing all this research, but I honestly, I fell in love with it.
Like I signed up, I think on a Sunday. And then on Wednesday we had our first panel and we had a couple of their parents and coaches join us into the conversation. and it's just this really great platform where. You can open a room it's audio only. So it's not like you have to get all dressed up or whatnot for zoom or you know.
Um, and you can just have these open conversations with these amazing leaders or people in whatever community want to connect with. I've really noticed people are so generous with their time with their advice as well. You know, like. I, if anyone's reading about clubhouse or whatever, you'll see, like Elon Musk jumped on with someone from Robin hood right after that whole debacle happens.
And so everyone jumped in cause they were like, Oh, it's the transparency that you can get through this app. Right? Like when would you ever be able to be in the same room, whether it be virtual or not as Elon Musk or as, I think like the mean girls like Lindsay Lohan and the cast of mean girls was in one another time or like there's so there's so many different avenues
addictive.
It's very addicted. And I use it a lot to learn a lot more about branding and social media and Influencer marketing, anything PR related really? Um, because I'm still new and there's still so much for me to learn. So yeah. I love, I love clubhouse.
I love clubhouse.
I have no idea. What's what's going to be coming up. Right. but yeah, as long as I have the opportunity in front of me, I'm going to seize it and. And I'm just so thankful.
I
told you you're a pro at the uncertainty.
Wow.
Yeah,
and I'm going to mention project Lumiere, talk, talk about this because This is how you give to the world.
Yeah. So project Lumiere started on Facebook. We started this initiative last year during the pandemic. when the entertainment industry and performing arts industry continued to get.
Shut down and it was a time where a lot of us, we lost our jobs. We lost our communities. We lost our lifestyles because we're not on, on tour anymore, but we're told to go home and many people.
Like, I was fortunate, as I said, I have my parents who have allowed me to come home, but because a lot of people have been on tour for so long. They don't have a home to go to. And so there's, you know, there's nomads who were giving so much to the communities that they were in, who all of a sudden don't have anything, or can't return home because of border closures or.
You know, they're having to be on welfare because we can't collect not, or not even welfare, we can't collect unemployment or insurance or anything like that because we weren't like any other country in the country working there or whatnot. so yeah, it was just a really, really hard time. So project Lumiere was there to help build our community, say, Hey, we're all still here.
Yes. We're all going through the same thing. But. Maybe there's some sparks of hope, some stories of people who are pivoting and trying to figure out how they can use their skills and see it in different lights and all that kind of thing. So it's definitely been a project. 📍 but it's been really, I think it's really helped me to be honest.
Um, it's given me a purpose it's given me motivation and inspiration and. As we've already discussed. I love this connecting with people. So yeah, it's been, it's been very, rewarding.
And rewarding to hear their, your journey as well. Thank you,
Laura. Thank you so much, Laura
Laura-Ann I apologize.
LA LA baby LA.
I'm not from LA
though.
No, no, but I loved the Laura-Ann the
abbreviation.
I wanted to share with you about what I learned here in this episode in my life today in 2022. the big deal is for me, my life path doesn't need to look a particular way. There are opportunities where I like to call doorways that don't always look like they are, but then they are, um, not all of them work out, but there are so much to gain in that experience or the connection.
so many insights and stories from them as well. And I think that's what I'm creating in sharing my life. and that's through these connections. particularly when I interview someone, I also learned how to look at creation from the inside out. Well, what do I mean is that,
you, you engage with an opportunity and then something more comes from it. One particular situation. I, I went for an audition for a show, a play, and they asked for readers. And a, the, the play itself is unpaid in this particular area. And helping read takes about three hours of the day.
I said, yes, My reasoning wasn't just to gain an advantage. My reasoning is I get to act for three hours versus go into an audition and do it for if I'm lucky, 10 minutes, I get to be in the room and see others create. And with that, that's the, the whole connection and opportunity. I look at what I do, whatever I do.
A play. this show I look at it as, you know, not a destination, but I'm actually playing I'm in, I'm just here to play. I am here to connect. So in that opportunity, I made a connection and, I was successful in one particular. Occasion, but it's not about imposing myself on someone. It was just an opportunity was there.
And I set the intention to give it wasn't about what's in it for me and from it. I, I got more than I could ever hope for. So I'm really looking forward to. This event. I just wanna say, if you wanna know more about Simon Fraser university public relations program, you can check their website out.
I will provide a link, oh, also through my meeting with Laura-Ann I met Caitlin Maggs and she is a, choreographer and creative, , consultant for the Circe du Soleil. I joined her program that she offered online and , I didn't think I belonged there, but it turned out to be an amazing experience.
For me, it was helping me with my way back to acting. so I highly recommend, Caitlin Maggs' Creative Games and I will provide the link in the show notes. Anything else. Please do have a, look in the show notes because I will plug in anything that anybody that is curious or just wanna have a, a Gander at what's going on in the world.
What's possible. you never know something might spark for. Thank you so much, to Laura Ann today's a good day. All right. Take care.
Yeah. Yeah, no, everyone's always like, Oh, you're LA from LA. I'm like, no, I'm not an American, definitely Canadian, but yeah, even my dad was like, after my first year or first semester at college. he comes down and he's visiting and he goes, you sound American.
But I actually, when I come home, I can hear when people are like very Canadian. Yeah. You know? And, I got, I got made fun of for speaking cute Canadian. My first. Um, so I stayed down in, in the States. And so I guess I inadvertently tried to sound like them more.
You know, it
happens. I lived in the UK for so long, too long, and I came back with this dialect that was weird. And people would be like, who are you kidding? You're like the worst accent I'm going. You don't get it. If you're in a country speaking the same language, the dialect, the tone is everything right.
It means
100%.
Yes. I lived in London for six months as well. And. Sorry to ask you. Okay. All right. And also, yeah.
Sorry,
like you don't ask you all right. And like, want an answer back is like us being like, Hey, how are you? You know, you don't always. You just say it as like a greeting and you don't always want to know how the person is.
I mean, I do,
well, you're going, like, it's, it's a rhetorical, like, uh, you know, just walking by something. Yeah. You all right. And you're like, do you care? Right. And then like,
yeah, in North America, when you say, are you all right? It's like, you're really concerned, you know? Cause. Yeah. It's, it's interesting, but yeah, that's the thing that I love learning about different cultures and the dialects that they do use or the tones and yeah, it's fun.
