Performing and speaking in schools is a big part of my life. This is a shortened version of how it happened.
I never thought I’d grow up to be an assembly presenter. I went to college at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. I was a chemistry major. Sure, I learned to juggle when I was 16 and I learned to ride a unicycle around the age of 17. Still, though, I never considered performing as a career choice.
After my first year of college, I took a test for a job in the graphic arts field. This thing called a “mouse” was new. And a company was looking for someone who had coordination using it. I tested well! I took the graphic arts job. I believed that you go to college so you can get a good job. This was a good job. I quit college knowing I could always go back. I entered the work force.
After two years of working, I got laid off. Electronic printing and publishing wasn’t taking off as quickly as they hoped. I liked the graphic arts field. So I went back to school to pursue a degree in printing and publishing. However, getting laid off seemed to be the norm as I was laid off 2 more times.
I really didn’t know what to do with my life. My career plan was not working out. (Yes, a pun.) So I gave it all up to God. And God spoke to me. “Be a juggler.”, he said. Not being one to argue with God, I bartered instead. I would dedicate three years of my life to make it happen. And I had a lot of work to do.
I never realized how hard it was going to be to be a full-time performing professional. Had I known I might have given up. I also knew I had a deal with God. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” LUKE 1:37. I had to give Him my time and effort to really see if it was God that I had heard.
What you don’t know is that I suffer from severe anxiety disorder. Getting up in front of people was not something I could do. Out of my circle of friends, I was terrified of attention. So I had to face my fears to make this happen. I waited tables. I did a guest DJ spot on a popular radio station. I trained in the martial arts. And I took any performing opportunities I could get.
My first show was at a Salvation Army dinner for underprivileged people. My mother and the business she worked for sponsored the event. My mom asked if I would perform. She said that I didn’t have to speak. There would be a down time of about 10 minutes. Would I just get up and do some juggling. I said, “Yes”.
Showtime came. I was a nervous wreck. I had a few things ready to go. And once I got started the anxiety began to fade. I felt great when it was over. People clapped and I thought, “Wow, maybe I can do this.”
My first school assembly program came in. I got a call from a principal who said that they had something lined up that fell through. Would I come and fill in and could I add an educational element. The rest is history.
I began performing full-time on January 1st, 1993. And my daughter was born on January 3rd. Now that’s another story.