Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
World Acro Society Hall of Fame Ceremony- Circuspreneur Podcast Live in Las Vegas Ep.106
0 Plays2 seconds ago
#WorldAcro #Acrobatics #HallofFame #CircusLegends #Gymnastics
The Circuspreneur podcast, hosted by Shenea Stiletto, went live at the prestigious World Acro Society Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held in Las Vegas. This special episode featured exclusive interviews with the 2025 legends being inducted from around the globe, celebrating their remarkable achievements and contributions to the world of acrobatics and related disciplines.
Learn more about the Legends Achievements:
https://worldacro.com/gallery-of-legends-hall-of-fame/
World Acro Youtube Page:
https://www.youtube.com/@worldacro/videos
2025 Hall of Fame Inductees-
Leslie Bush – Diving Legend
Recognized for groundbreaking achievements in diving, Leslie Bush’s career has inspired generations of athletes with her skill, dedication, and sportsmanship.
Ron Galimore – Lifetime Achievement Award
Honored for a lifetime of dedication to the advancement of acrobatics and gymnastics, Ron Galimore’s influence spans decades, shaping the future of the sport.
Tatiana Gutsu – Artistic Gymnastics Legend
A trailblazer in artistic gymnastics, Tatiana Gutsu’s performances and competitive spirit have left an indelible mark on the sport worldwide.
Stacie Hansen – Charlie Pond Service Award
Awarded for exceptional service and commitment to the acrobatic community, Stacie Hansen’s contributions have elevated the standards of support and organization within the field.
Steven Gluckstein – Tumbling/Trampoline Legend
Celebrated for excellence in tumbling and trampoline, Steven Gluckstein’s athleticism and achievements have set new benchmarks in these disciplines.
Michael Rodrigues & Kristin Allen – Acrobatic Gymnastics Legends
This dynamic duo has redefined acrobatic gymnastics through their innovative routines, teamwork, and championship titles, inspiring athletes worldwide.
Gary Hedrick – Action Sports Legend
A pioneer in action sports, Gary Hedrick’s fearless approach and dedication have expanded the boundaries of what is possible in acrobatic action sports.
Dr. Jerry Michael Cline – Golden Achievement Award
Recognized for outstanding contributions and lifelong commitment to the advancement of gymnastics, Dr. Jerry Michael Cline’s impact is felt across the community.
Michel Rios & Medhi Rios (Rios Brothers) – Professional Acrobats
The Rios Brothers have captivated audiences globally with their extraordinary acrobatic performances, showcasing artistry, strength,and innovation.
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Live Podcast at World Acrobatic Society
00:00:12
Speaker
Hi, everyone. I'm your host, Shanae Saleto. We are live with the Circuspreneur podcast today at the World Acrobatic Society
Interview with Diving Legend Leslie Bush
00:00:20
Speaker
Induction Ceremony. And I am here with the phenomenal Leslie Bush, who is an absolute diving legend. Thank you so much, Leslie, for sitting with us during this amazing ceremony. It was so wonderful to hear you speak earlier. thank you. about your phenomenal, phenomenal career. And you brought a little metal, I think, with you today um from your incredible accomplishments that ah was that so great to see earlier. And um could you tell us a little bit about, you know, how you got to be a diving legend?
00:00:55
Speaker
um it was It was unknown and then all of a sudden happened. I was... 16 at the time and my coach said, ah well, it's the Olympic trials. why don't you just give it a try? Just the Olympic trials. It's just a small thing, right? Yeah.
00:01:17
Speaker
And I had no aspirations. I had no goals. I just said, I love diving. Wow. So can I, i want i want to do some of that.
00:01:30
Speaker
And so, you know, you do four dives and they say, you're in the group now. Right. And just op to the like two hours later, i'm thinking, oh, I can't do this. And it's just one, two, three dives. That's all you got to do. Right. Just simple. And they said, oh, yeah, you're meditating.
00:01:53
Speaker
Wow. And it was. It was just, but all I was doing was something I loved. That's all was doing. I love that you were talking about that earlier, that you just kept being there and doing what you loved. And you said once you went to the Olympics and you got there, you were like, this is really all that it's about. This is all that I needed to do is just to arrive
Leslie Bush's Olympic Reflections
00:02:11
Speaker
at the Olympics. That's right. And then you took it further, which again, you dangled that lovely medal in front of us today.
00:02:16
Speaker
so it culminated in even so much more than you just going to the Olympics. Uh-huh. Well, and what was the metal, I... It's fun. That's just plain fun.
00:02:30
Speaker
But to be there, and and I'm not being some Pollyanna or anything, frank but people from all over the world, there is nothing the same about them, except that they had a sport, and they did it as hard as they could. yes People in places that didn't have coaches. Right.
00:02:51
Speaker
You know, they were... walking in the on the sidewalks trying to deal with a marathon. Right. So um I just took it all in and I said, there is no place on earth that at least for two weeks there's peace.
00:03:05
Speaker
Yes, world peace. And everybody's there. And you know, and all my friends said, oh, come on, Leslie, are you a dreamer? I said, I saw it. Yeah, I experienced it. saw it. It can happen through sport.
00:03:18
Speaker
Through competition. yeah that's right. Through being united in something that we love. That's right. And in 1964, I won surprisingly. And in 1968, when I trade for four years, i did terribly, bent my knees on the first stive. Wow.
00:03:41
Speaker
And they were both just as good. don't like talking about the last one, but. I'm sure you didn't do that bad, Leslie. Somebody with your phenomenal, phenomenal Olympic career, and you are a legendary diving legend. And I just want to congratulate congratulate you too, Leslie, on being inducted into the World Acrobatic Society thank you Hall of Fame. Thank And thank you so much for sitting with us. Thank you too.
Ron Gallimore's Lifetime Achievement in Gymnastics
00:04:07
Speaker
Pleasure.
00:04:09
Speaker
or actually needs no introduction. We are still here with the Circus Baneurl podcast at the World Acrobatics Society Hall of Fame induction ceremony. And Ron Gallimore is getting the Lifetime Achievement Award, which is phenomenal. You are just someone who I grew up with.
00:04:26
Speaker
I've known you my entire life and I'm still very young, so that wasn't that long ago, ago ago Ron. Don't worry. yeah Well, I enjoyed watching you perform. Thank you. Just wonderful. Thank you. Thank you. but you were so prolific, Ron, in your career, obviously, as as an african African-American gymnast. um You know, you broke barriers. You were the first of many firsts.
00:04:48
Speaker
um And then you also had a really interesting experience. You spoke about that earlier, you know, um going to the 1980 Olympics and then, you know, the boycott that happened that year and then how you had to sustain yourself after that, which I thought was very inspiring.
00:05:01
Speaker
um You know, it's a very challenging thing to hear even of like, you know, hopes and dreams and working out hard and breaking all those barriers and then feeling like, where does where do we go from here? sure So the culmination of all of this for your lifetime achievement award, you've competed um as a gymnast. You've also headed so many different committees and programs within USA Gymnastics and also too within
Diversity and Evolution in Gymnastics with Ron Gallimore
00:05:21
Speaker
FIG. And you've revolutionized a lot of these programs over the last, what, like 20, 30 years, right? Yeah, well you're making me laugh, making you smile.
00:05:29
Speaker
well Well, thank you so much. ah I appreciate all the accolades and comments. ah it It's just, it was a wonderful journey, you know, and and I try to stay focused on the positive things and and the experience for the athletes that were coming behind me, you know, wanting to make sure that they, we set up beautiful stage for them to compete and bring out their best.
00:05:49
Speaker
And I think just the thing that I learned through all of it is that the road to where you're going is not straight. Right. You know, it it curves and you just have to kind of, you know, stay with it and believe and you'll get where you're going. Wow. How do you think that you have, um you know, experienced the different levels of levels of diversity over these years too, Ron, with seeing gymnastics change and evolve now? I mean, it's just prolific. It is everywhere. yeah And you had something to do with that, obviously, from your perspectives and putting in that work and being a part of all these committees.
00:06:20
Speaker
Well, it's interesting. When I so when i started competing and and reached the elite level, gymnastics was just starting to to televised. Wow. So it it wasn't, we didn't have social media and some of the other things. um So i I want to feel that because of the exposure that I got, I played a small role in motivating others um ah you know to to to participate in the sport. And I'll tell you, one of my one of my most exciting stories is when i went to South Africa to compete.
00:06:48
Speaker
and And I went out and I competed. And um of course, there were all whites in the stands. But when I got off the apparatus and walked to the side, there were some Afrikaans. And I was like doing this to them. And I'm like, yeah.
00:07:00
Speaker
They were so excited to see me out competing. you know So no, it's been fun. It's been a great journey and a great road. And you know i'm i'm I'm really happy knowing because I've been around long enough. I've run across people that have told me the impact that I had on their lives or their kids' life. So it makes me feel good. Oh, that must be so special. I'm so happy for you, Ron. I'm so happy also, too, that your family was able to come here, too. you spoke so much um earlier about how important your family was and how instrumental they were in your success. And we know it takes a village. My family did everything they possibly could yeah to make me what I was. And your family did everything they could to get you to the Olympics. And so it was beautiful hearing you reflect on that. Well, thank you. And you know that all but's that's my plan for tonight in terms of my message is to to not talk about the accomplishments, but talk about how I got there and the people that inspired me and were there for me when I needed them the most because
00:07:52
Speaker
you know as we've mentioned it's it you go through all kinds of emotional states and it doesn't always happen the way that you think it's going to happen and you need somebody there to help make sure you're steered in the right direction thank you so much ron and congratulations on your lifetime achievement award again this is ron gallimore needs no introduction no outro thank you for sitting with us with the podcast i really appreciate it thank you congratulations
00:08:18
Speaker
Alright, we are back now with Tatiana
Tatiana Gutsu's Journey and Community Contributions
00:08:21
Speaker
Gutsu. If I said it wrong, Tatiana, please. It's perfect. You know, please correct me. But Tatiana is absolutely a legend. She is so prolific in gymnastics, in artistic gymnastics, and you are being inducted for your phenomenal career. It was amazing listening to your stories today about your journey and how, you know, you came from poverty.
00:08:42
Speaker
to become an absolute champion. And i can't imagine what that journey was like, but then the way that you've decided to give back and um teach and give back to the gymnastics community and your humanitarian work is just really exceptional. So it's been fantastic understanding more about who you are and um what got you here. And so what does it mean to you ah in terms of accepting this award and being inducted as a legend today?
00:09:06
Speaker
um Well, thank you so much for having me on your podcast. i'm I'm honored the same way as I'm honored to receive this incredible award and incredible achievement.
00:09:18
Speaker
Because like I said earlier, without my coaches, I don't think nothing... fantastic would come out from ah their determination and their hard work.
00:09:31
Speaker
So for that, I have to be thankful to my coaches with their dedication and unwavering support. And your biggest accomplishments were um you know during a time where you know the world was so different. you know How do you see the different dynamics in terms of when you were able to accomplish that? You didn't have all of the different resources that exist now, and you had you know incredible difficulty in the sport of gymnastics. And you took gymnastics to places it had never been before, and you talked about that that was really something special about how you like to do gymnastics. You said, i wasn't maybe the most flexible one, but I was really strong and I was really powerful.
00:10:06
Speaker
And what do you think that had to do with, you you know, I think like your inner constitution of how you saw yourself excelling in gymnastics? Again, i think ah with my mentors who raised me, they helped me to discover the power within. i Besides that, I was hungry to win because the ah second and third place was not an option. Yes, of course. In the beginning, my very first competition, i was probably at 100th place, whatever. And I saw those shiny medals and the glow and the victory.
00:10:42
Speaker
that kids are experiencing. and that was my main one and only goal to get to the top um only because Growing up in very poor family did not give me a many options, ah you know even sharing bed with my sister or sharing food when we had food.
00:11:08
Speaker
And so with that, I put tremendous hours and tremendous hard work for me to get better. So when I start traveling to the national center and to the Ukrainian national center, it gave me the opportunity to have my own gave me the opportunity and not to share the towel.
00:11:29
Speaker
It gave me the opportunity to actually have my own plate and to have food. So that's a big deal to i to dods took me thrive and not survive. Yes. Which is it. We're talking about that.
00:11:46
Speaker
Well, thank you so much, Tatiana, for joining us on the Circus Preneur podcast today. We are honored to honor you and in your induction into the Acrobatic World Society um Hall of Fame as a legend. And thank you for sitting with us. And you are just absolutely phenomenal.
00:12:02
Speaker
Thank you so much for having me and good luck. Thank you.
Stacey Hansen's Charlie Pond Service Award
00:12:05
Speaker
thank
00:12:09
Speaker
And we are back. We are sitting at with the Circuspreneur podcast. and your host, Shanae Stiletto. And we are live, everyone, with Stacey Hansen. And you are being inducted, Stacey, into the World Acrobatic Society Hall of Fame. And can you tell listeners a little bit about why you're being inducted? You have done and do so much for Waz. You have been a guest on the podcast previously. And so you helped this ship to continue to run.
00:12:34
Speaker
And you make sure that we're all you know honored in these wonderful ways. So what does this mean to you? And what is this honor for you being bestowed? Well, um I'm receiving the Charlie Pond Service Award. okay And i it's because I am the secretary of the organization. I'm also the chairperson for the Gallery of Legends and Hall of Fame.
00:12:58
Speaker
I run registration and I do all kinds of things for this event to make sure it happens. And it means a lot to me. I'm absolutely honored to be a part of this. And we can tell that it means a lot to you, Stacey. mean, everyone is near and dear to your heart and how serious everyone takes the induction ceremony and how serious you guys take who gets honored and like the level of careers is just really exceptional and making sure that everyone feels special.
00:13:22
Speaker
you know And you know this is like ah ah a labor of love, I think you've told me in the past, too. Yeah. is why you support W.O.S. and why you've been a part of W.O.S. and you continue. What is important to you in terms of the extension of W.O.S., you know, continuing and then the work that you're doing?
00:13:37
Speaker
oh gosh. Well, I know this organization was really forged on friendships. And it was it started because we all understand what it feels like to flip and balance across it, ah across disciplines, you know? Yeah. And so.
00:13:53
Speaker
If we all have that in common, we should all be coming together and celebrating each other and we keep the history alive yeah through this organization. So that's why it's important to me. And, and you know, I've loved gymnastics my whole life. so And everyone loves you and that's why they wanted to honor Thank you, because you do so much. And I feel like you almost probably don't even want the award. You're like, oh, not me. I did say no.
00:14:17
Speaker
I bet you did. I bet you did say no. But you deserve it. And I'm glad that you're accepting it. And thank you for sitting down with us. And I'm looking forward to the rest of the ceremony today. It's absolutely gorgeous. The entire time, the entire day has been absolutely beautiful. So thank you so much, Stacey. Absolutely. And we honor you.
00:14:32
Speaker
Sure. Thank you so much.
00:14:37
Speaker
so Okay, we are back. I'm Sinead Saleto, and this is Circus for Newer Podcast. We are still going live at WAZ, the World Acrobatic Society Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and this is Stephen
Stephen Gluckstein and the Evolution of Trampoline
00:14:49
Speaker
Gluckstein. Did I say it right, Stephen? Close, Gluckstein. Gluckstein. Okay, thank you for reminding me, and you are a trampoline legend um being inducted. You have...
00:14:58
Speaker
Absolutely amazing career. I loved hearing your story your story and your journey um today. It was like, you know, very sweet about how you got into trampoline and, you know, the story and the different experiences that you had with your parents and, you know, putting you into something, you know, and then it just, you know, you became, ah you know, very renowned in trampoline. You broke, you know, some barriers in trampoline. So could you tell listeners a little bit about that?
00:15:22
Speaker
Where do you all of it? All of it. All of it. You know, there was some things in trampoline that had not been done before. And, you know, you were instrumental in achieving those things. Oh, absolutely. And, in you know what?
00:15:33
Speaker
I wouldn't say that they've never been done before because trampoline was invented in the United States of America or by George Nissen, right? And trampoline was, the United States was the the the best in the world, went at and you know,
00:15:46
Speaker
back in the 60s and 70s. And then the the Soviets came up and the Chinese came up. And so um it wasn't until like my generation that we started to really kind of put the United States back on the map and in trampoline. and And in even now past me, they're climbing that ladder, you know, getting even closer to the the Russians and the Belarusians and the Chinese.
00:16:11
Speaker
Yeah, that's amazing. I mean, you know you um you know, you had your Olympics. You also, too, were competing against your brother at one point for a spot, which was you know a great story. I used to compete with my brothers and sisters, and like you know we actually competed together, so we were going along the same lines. Much nicer. va gymnastic Much, much, much nicer. But you know in reflecting on that journey, um you know Stephen, in terms of you know where you took trampoline and you know these generations later, you know what does it mean to you to be um inducted as a trampoline legend, again, with you know the prolificness of trampoline as it is now?
00:16:40
Speaker
You know, what it feels it feels strange, right? Like, I feel like there's so many... i' Right, I'm very young, but there's I look at some of these people that were literal pioneers of trampoline. yeah The very, very first world champion ever is here tonight for a trampoline, you know, ah and tumbling. And so, like, for me, I feel like i'm'm I'm just a nobody, you know? But... i But it's for them now. Exactly right. And it's it's it's such a great honor to to be even in the same conversation as as some of these amazing, amazing athletes. And what do you think is the importance of honoring you know our legends in acrobatic sport, you know, in terms of highlighting, um you know, the different levels of accomplishments with all of our disciplines, you know, intertwined and kind of supporting each other Absolutely. and And I think it's fantastic. It's especially because we have so much in common. Right.
00:17:28
Speaker
And I think it's great also what the society is doing is is keeping history alive, you know. And I ask some of my athletes that are now teenagers, I'm like, oh, I'm going to see this person and this person, this person. are Like who? And I'm like, no. light's Like this, this, you have to know this is where our sport came from. yeah And you can only know where it's going from from where it came from. And the reason why the rules are the rules today are because these people were doing these skills and these routines and and and blazing the the path for you.
00:17:57
Speaker
And so it's just amazing that we can do it not only for trampoline and tumbling, but for diving and for acro and bring all of these together. And it's been a pleasure for me also to learn about the legends in in other sports. you know and And I definitely have some homework to do once I get home to learn even more more, you know.
00:18:17
Speaker
Yeah, this has been a really great education and this is a great education for the world of acro out there. You know, look up Steven and see just, you know, all the amazing things that he's done. There's too many accomplishments for us to go into because our podcast interview is so short with him, but Steven gives back. You know, you're very involved um in the sport and that's a really, you know, wonderful, fantastic thing. And you are, you know, promoting the next generation, which is really fantastic to hear. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Michael and Kristen's World Champion Acrobatic Gymnastics Journey
00:18:44
Speaker
thank So we are back and we are here with Michael Rodriguez and Kristen Allen, my acrobatic besties. I am so excited out of all the things, you know, for me to do the podcast and then for you guys to be inducted. I'm so excited. You guys are such champions and such legends for acrobatic gymnastics, for everybody out there. ah You know, we're a very small community and a small world. So it's very special um to be able to, you know, sit here and be here while you guys are being honored. So can you tell listeners a little bit about what it means to you to be honored, you know, based upon all of your accomplishments as a mixed pair. We love mixed pair. And by the way, we go way back. Obviously, you can tell we've known each other for many, many, many years. So we all knew each other before we were world champions. And so it's great seeing ourselves on the other side. For sure. Yeah.
00:19:34
Speaker
um yeah i mean i feel so honored to be here and included in such a huge group of legends and it's not just like our own discipline and and to be part of something that's stretching into all the disciplines is really really cool it's like and it's like from the world people from all over not just like usa but like everywhere and all the disciplines so it's just really really cool that it's such a big group of people and that we're getting to be included with such a such an amazing group of legends for Yeah, yeah, yeah, it really is. And just to see so many people that we've gotten to know over the years, like Steven Kudstein and Ron Gallimore. Yeah, it just, if you know, it just shows you how deep the community goes and how many people have contributed to our shared success.
00:20:21
Speaker
And um yeah, it's really inspiring for us to be here. Yeah, that's wonderful. You know, Michael, you shared a lot earlier about how you went from partner to partner partner. Like your journey was not an overnight success, right? Like you'd never stopped. You kept going. Kristin, you talked about writing. I'm going be world champion every single day, know, on the road to being there. So can you talk a little bit about, you know, believing in yourself and that level of tenacity? Because you have to speak it into being and both of you absolutely did. And you like made it with one another in a way that you didn't expect really. Right. definitely i mean i just for me it was one of those things like remember something my dad said it wasn't in a mean way at all it was totally in just like a straightforward normal just like there's always going to be somebody out there trying harder than you there's always going be out there some somebody out there better than you it wasn't meant to be like a like a destructive thing but it made me think like you know you're right so if i want to be the best i've got to keep going i can't stop because the moment i stop they're going to keep getting better So I just kept going and going and going, whatever it took. And it was one of those things where didn't care if I had to live in a weird building. I didn't care if I had to wear the same old tennis shoes so I could pay for the next leotard. I didn't care because it was all for that ultimate goal. And that journey was so enjoyable for me, even though it was so hard. Yeah, little bit. I just enjoyed it so much. And I wasn't going to stop until the journey was done.
00:21:45
Speaker
yeah A testament to that. Never give up. Kristen? Yeah, I mean, I think that's the thing is like you go after these big audacious goals. And I think so many people don't realize how many times you have to try to achieve that goal before you actually get it. And, you know, Michael had a ah bronze at the World Championships.
00:22:08
Speaker
Together we got silver at the World Championships and we lost by, i think, a hundredth of a point. I know the feeling. Arasha. yeah and and i Once or twice. And we were disappointed after 2008 World. We were like, this wasn't our, you know, we have a silver medal, but this wasn't our goal. Right. um And I think that's really, you know, it's just about going again, you know, and we won the World Games the next year. And still, we were like,
00:22:37
Speaker
we have more to do, you know? And, uh, when we went for our last world championships, the training was so hard that last year we we said like, this is it.
00:22:48
Speaker
I don't think we have another one in us after this. And so if we don't do it this time, i don't know if we're going to do it. yeah And, uh, and it was just, it's amazing to have, for me, it was, it was 10 years, uh, door to door,
00:23:03
Speaker
But, ah yeah you know, and for you, 15 think. Yeah. Yeah. Wow. And um so to go have 10 years of your life boil down to two and a half minutes. oh my and And for us, like, we knew going into that, it was going to be our last world championships. It was our shot.
00:23:22
Speaker
yeah And we we had the silver, then we had the gold of the world games, and we were we were there, and we were like, this is it. This is... and And to keep your head in the game ah in those for two and a half minutes, ah you know, one, 10 years for one shot. All have. It's, it's, oh, it's not, and it's not about who's the best, right? Like there's, there's probably timing at that, at that time in the world, there were probably 10 other pairs that were as good as us, but it's about who can do it.
00:23:55
Speaker
in the moment on the day and show up the best and I think that just it's where you know we all have the same kind of level of physical ability but it's the that's where the mental piece of it comes in and it's trusting each other where he didn't have to worry about my job that I was going to perform on that day in that moment he could just worry about doing his job and I could worry about doing mine. And I think that's but that was the power of our partnership. Agreed, i I was gonna say that. But we went into that last competition 110% prepared. We did not go in there with any question in our mind that we weren't gonna do our best. yeah Which is rare, like it's hard to get to that level and get to that competition and be like, oh man, we know we're gonna do this. And we believed in each other and we believed in our preparations and we were just ready. There was no doubt that he wasn't gonna
00:24:44
Speaker
do what he needed to do and that I wasn't going to do what I needed. so Well, you guys are so inspiring and thank you so much for sitting down with the Servicepreneur podcast. I'm so excited and I honor you and your amazing career and your amazing
Gary Hedrick's Career in Action Sports
00:24:56
Speaker
journey. I'm so happy to be here. Everyone, this Kristen Allen and Michael Rodriguez, acrobatic gymnastics legend. Thank Thank you. Yeah, legend right here.
00:25:11
Speaker
and we're back we're still live at the World Acrobatic Society induction ceremony. I'm your host, Shanae Slotto, and this is Circus For Noir podcast live. And I am with the action sports legend of 2025, Gary Hedrick.
00:25:27
Speaker
Gary, oh my gosh, you have such a phenomenal story. It was so amazing listening to you earlier. You were so funny in talking about The various adventures that you went through within your entire you know prolific prolific career and yeah, you went through a lot of different nuances there, didn't you? I sure did. it adult and As I said, it all started with diving off the house on the kitten brothers' arms catching me. Of course, as we do.
00:25:53
Speaker
From that to legend. ah You never could tell we were going to end up after that.
00:26:00
Speaker
So what does it feel for you, Gary, you know the culmination of your entire career, um you know being honored by Waz and being you know amongst other legends and reflecting on your career, reflecting on your life and all the different you know things that kind of had to go right for you to be able to get here in your career in terms of action sports or gymnastics or diving or any of those things. you know We go through so many challenges to be able to do what we want to do. And you you know you really just, ah but ah you know we're to the your own beat, I would say, within your career. I've always been kind of ah funny person and a competitor.
00:26:35
Speaker
Yeah. And I've tried not to go away from being afraid of something. If you go through the progressions, it'll happen. And then after you get to a certain point, you're matured to something else, and this happens, and then the next happens, and it just kind of falls in place. But far as being inducted into the Hall of Fame, it's just a combination of everything, and it just touches me.
00:26:57
Speaker
And what do you think um you know that you would like to leave um those that are you know in the action sports world, um Gary, in the acrobatics world, in terms of but trying to become legendary? you know he Just just you know work hard.
00:27:13
Speaker
Do the right thing when you don't think anybody's looking. That's a good one. um Growing up, our coach was Mr. Dyckman and it's always, be polite.
00:27:24
Speaker
Yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir, thank you ma'am, all that kind of stuff. And it it pays off because people respond to kindness more than they do just, you know, ah that's That's a word in Texas.
00:27:39
Speaker
Well, and that's what makes you a legend. You had everyone just laughing and cracking up earlier during your speech. You know, it was so special. Can you highlight just maybe one of the challenges, you know, that you faced throughout your career, Gary, that you felt like you overcame to get to where you are now throughout your career? with the Bud Light Daredevils. It's a professional acrobatic slam dunk show, combination of gymnastics and slam dunks.
00:28:01
Speaker
Off of many trampolines, we did college pro and European basketball games. And we have a seven-minute choreographed routine. That's long. Yeah, that's long. And I've got size 28 legs. What?
00:28:15
Speaker
And out of out of the blue, the third season I was on it, the owner, Ty Cobb, not the baseball player. Okay. But he says, okay, we're going to have everybody this season run a sub six minute mile.
00:28:27
Speaker
Wow. And Keith's legs were this tall. My legs were this tall. Mine were that tall. and so I went back to Emerald, Texas and started training. I started out at eight minutes.
00:28:39
Speaker
Wow. and My mom and dad lived in the country, so I said, Dad, follow behind me. Every tenth of a mile, honk, and I'll check my time. so This went on for a couple of months, and I think I only got to like six.
00:28:51
Speaker
six minutes, 45 seconds. oh So we get to the training for the the mile and i asked Ty, I said, please don't make me run around the oval track. I'll hit two ah hit three and three quarter laps and I'll hit the wall. Whatever you do. And I did, I just stumbled, lost all oxygen. He goes, okay, I'll find point A and point B and we'll do a straight line.
00:29:13
Speaker
hey And I did it in four minutes, 48 seconds, or five minutes, 48 seconds. No kidding. Yeah. Get out. But all the other guys around the oval, they were throwing up. I didn't throw up, but I ah you know that i still made it. ginger That's probably the hardest thing I had to deal with.
00:29:29
Speaker
wow Wow. Thank you so much, Gary, for sitting with us. We're so happy to honor you with your incredible career, being inducted today as a absolute legend in action sports.
00:29:40
Speaker
and um you know It's just been so wonderful celebrating you today. Thank you. I'm looking forward to hearing your speech later on tonight, too. well i just hope I can bring a smile to somebody. You always do.
00:29:54
Speaker
And is that your mom? Yes. Yeah. Wow, your mom. I know, right? And her name is Judy, right? Yeah. Yeah. She's the legend of all legends. Wow. yeah wow wow wow Wow. Wow. What is um the background front of your mom? we can We can discuss that too. Yeah. So, well, she's a 10-time world champion.
00:30:10
Speaker
10-time world champion. Dr. Jerry Michael Klein's mother, yes Miss Judy, a 10-time world champion. 10-time world champion, yeah. Wow. So I grew up in her shadow. and um World champion in what? She was a trampolinist. I'm She did. I'm sorry I even have to ask. I should know. No, yeah. She's a trampolinist. Won the first world championships. Wow. Yep. In London, I think it was. Wow. And went on the the next four years in a row, five years. the championship. She won and tumbling as well.
00:30:40
Speaker
Wow. In fact, like her, like she had, you know, I don't think she ever lost tumbling competition. Doesn't sound like it. Yeah, she was amazing. Wow. One of a kind. You got from the dynasty because everyone kept talking about how you come from this legendary family. yeah um you know And so now that I understand more, oh my gosh. So when was your mom inducted into WAZ?
00:30:57
Speaker
ah She was in the first class. I'm not sure which year that was, but it's... 1996? Okay, yeah. 1996. Yeah, yeah. I think they're just shy of about almost 30 years now here. Okay, yeah. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. So she was in the first class and she's in the hall of fame for USA Gymnastics and Southern Illinois University where she went to school. And the fact they're having a reunion or actually their whole team is being inducted as a team into the hall of fame because they were, they were that good wow back in the sixties. Yeah. Wow, that's amazing. Well, I'm so excited that your mom is here to see you receive the Golden Achievement Award. and You know, you're the Golden Achievement legend. You're also a doctor now. youre also You also, know, we're in the military. You have a very high status.
00:31:36
Speaker
You're colonel, right? I'm saying that correctly? That's right, yeah. Please correct me if I'm wrong. No, you're good. You had a very, very, very interesting evolution to your career. yeah um and so can you let us know little bit, Jerry, Dr. Jerry, I'm sorry, about you know the evolution that you had through sport yeah um into medicine yeah and then also to in to the military? Yeah, it's a great question. you know I'm a very spiritual person. I believe I was given a passion to to to be a gymnast. And that's all I could see growing up with my mom you know being so successful and wanted to be an Olympian. And so I did the training. I put in the time. I knew that you had to get good grades. And when I was growing up, you know collegiate gymnasts, male gymnasts were the ones who went to the Olympics. So I knew I needed to get into college.
00:32:18
Speaker
And somewhere along the way, I fell in love with health care and medicine. And no one in my family had been in in any field of medicine before. wow um And so as I was, you know, I was in college, you know, was making some choices and wanted to wanted to go into medical school and really pursue that. And Honestly, like, you know, the the lessons you learn as an athlete, character development, discipline, failure, getting up every time you fall, making mistakes and and not letting that, you know, dictate your future. you know, all these things, that injuries that you come back from.
00:32:51
Speaker
Those are all great lessons for me. And and my college experience with with Coach Lou Burkle there was was really formative in terms of You know gymnastics is pretty much an individual sport yeah until you get to like world competitions, Olympics and but in college as well. And so and and he just really developed that that teamwork in me and helped me see that my success can come through the success of other people. And that radically changed the way i live. You sound so grateful. And in your um you know in your talk earlier, when you're speaking about you know like the different journeys of your life and also to what you're doing now in terms of giving back yeah is very, very special. And so you're taking that entire, i think the spirit of that journey with you, yes which I love to see such accomplished people doing that, you know because you have so much to give. You have so much life experience, you know working through all of those incredible journeys to get to where you are now and to get to where you want it to be. that's right It's not easy. it is not.
00:33:46
Speaker
You know, we all talk about it now. That's right. You know, it just happened, but it's not easy. And I think that you put, um you know, phenomenal perspective on that. Yes. It's the same thing with podcasting, right? Like anybody can do podcast. No, you can't. You know, you have to work hard at it and you're going fail a lot. And you're going to, you know, you have to be able to persevere through those things and people telling you yeah this isn't the right topic or is, you a right? Like, no. Right. know right but But because of your athletic experience, none of that is gonna, that's all noise to you, right? You're just gonna push through that. And it's been the same for me after after my military career and retiring, you know I've decided to do some things that are that are hard. and and And most people tell me that,
00:34:25
Speaker
it can't be done. and And so, but for me, it's a calling on my heart and something that that I want to do. And I just, i don't I don't see failure as an option. You know, for me, failure is quitting, right? Or not or not starting, right? right that's what If you're too afraid to start something, that's failure. If you don't get up when you fall, if you quit, that's failing. But yeah but if if you never achieve your goal, but you never stop trying, you're success. yeah that's That's the path I'm on right now. Oh, that's beautiful. Thank you so much, Dr. Jerry. Yeah. We honor you. Thank you. You're so incredible and so amazing. it was so wonderful listening to your story today, and I'm so excited to see you get inducted. Thank you so much for sitting down with the Circus Puneer podcast. This is our last honoree of the night, folks. We are going to sign off on our Instagram live. Thank you so much for joining us. These legends are you know breathtaking, and you'll be able to learn even more about them ah in the show notes, and then I'll be linking their videos from the induction ceremony as well. This is just a snippet of their incredible careers and you'll learn so much more and get so inspired by these acrobatic legends. So thank you everyone.
00:35:29
Speaker
I'm your host, Shanae Stiletto, and we are back with the Circus Puneer podcast and with the legendary Michelle Rios of the Rios Brothers, the professional acrobatics legends that are being inducted during the World Acrobatics Hall of Fame ceremony. Today we are live, and it's an honor and a pleasure to be with you, Michelle. You are incredible. He is a carrion for all of our circus folks out there.
00:35:55
Speaker
You know what I'm talking about. He's an original. He's an absolute original. Yeah, yeah. And he also has a book, The Unlikely Life of Acrobat. His memoir. And where can we get your book, Michelle?
00:36:10
Speaker
Where? I think what? Where can we get your book, your memoir? Online. Online? Yeah. Okay, is it on Amazon? On Amazon too. On Amazon too. So, you know, if you're interested, I heard a little bit about Michelle's, you know, incredible, incredible story bouncing all over the world doing a carrying with his brother from his very humble beginnings, growing up to the, you know, stages of the Lido, to the Winter Garden in Berlin, to circuitcus cloning Circus Circus Knie, Monte Carlo.
00:36:43
Speaker
There is nothing that Michelle did not do. And so Michelle, can you provide a little bit of just a taste of what it was like for your incredible journey? It's a legendary taste.
00:36:56
Speaker
phone king bit where You were asking virtually in 10 seconds saying something I did for 40 years. a Like you said, it was a very humble beginning, yes.
00:37:10
Speaker
We were begging, passing the hat on the street just to eat until luckily somebody... We started rehearsing Ikarian.
00:37:21
Speaker
with thats Not so good, not so bad, but there are some agents who came passed by and saw us and he said, the if you do a little bit effort on the costumes of the music fitting, think about ballet.
00:37:35
Speaker
i'm Not just having a background music, it's just having music that fits with tricks. And you change the tricks, you change the music. And anyway, we understood that and right away we were hired at the Moulin Rouge a royal performance for the Queen of England and King of Spain.
00:37:53
Speaker
We were lucky enough to to to refuse jobs. Wow. Yes. That was, yeah, it is lucky. It is lucky because being at the right place at the right time, could have continued being in a small little fleece all our life. And just somebody comes there and gives us a direction to follow.
00:38:14
Speaker
And we did follow and change our life. Totally. What did it mean to you um to put all of that into the unlikely life of an acrobat?
Michelle Rios' Journey in Acrobatics and Global Performances
00:38:25
Speaker
I mean, it's not easy to, you know... Unlikely is the right word.
00:38:29
Speaker
but Unlikely. It was not destined to... To happen. To happen. It automatically evolves into other things and became shop producers because we met people in high places because thanks to the act and hired without even knowing that we are capable We did our first big show with an ice show only because my my brother's wife was an ice skater.
00:38:55
Speaker
So we said, why not an ice, so she can choreograph. buy these costumes. And yeah we had another career. And it's just, you know, I think it's a generation upon generation, know, we all stand on each other's shoulders and we definitely stand on yours. In terms of circus at that time, know, in terms of background, we all come from everywhere, which I think is so special about what we do. That's true.
00:39:20
Speaker
What else can you ask me? I can ask you a million questions all day long, Michelle. You know, you told some really funny story earlier, which to most people wouldn't really sound funny.
00:39:31
Speaker
You talked to about just, again, you know the perseverance of being in the circus where the show must absolutely go on and what it was like having a career or over for that many years. you know You talked about you know your brother one time was doing a show and he broke his collarbell. That's right. button you know his arm is chilling around his arm because he was afraid to leave the stage and my father maybe our father maybe smacking because uh he wasn't careful or anyway he was more afraid of so our father said then the accident he told it it'd be okay then
00:40:05
Speaker
The worst thing is when he came off up the stage, my father took his arm and said, okay, it's just out of joint. We put it back and made worse. Again, that comes back to, I mean, you know, what it takes, you know, to have a career like we have and, you know, inside of the circus, what it means to maintain, I think, that level of audacity inside our career. It's not for everyone. and you you know you were performing all the way up until your fifty s you said, and you even broke your nose at one point, you know, to return to one of your performances and continued on. We grew up in a way, it's like you have to finish your act no matter what, because the the other performers and the wings,
00:40:47
Speaker
might not be ready to come on and then have a hall in the show because ah two, three minutes have passed because I'm fixing my nose or my brother picking up his arms. So you ah for because of the show, the show must go on and all the time. The show must go on.
00:41:02
Speaker
Well, thank you so much, Michelle. you are absolutely amazing. I'm so excited to read your book, The Unlikely Life of an Acrobat. This is just a small segment. I'm listening to Michelle earlier. Advertising me on top of her. Oh, of course. Of course. All day, every day. You are so beautiful listening to your speech. Thank you. um And you know, you'll truly learn so much more about Michelle's incredible circus career. You're being inducted, as you should. You're legendary. and We honor you, Michelle. Thank you very much. It was very nice to call me a little bit. Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you.