Why I Joined the Circus After Finishing my PhD | Chris Gatti | TEDxUofM

[@arend9358]

I recently graduated maths and am now finally following my circus dream. Your words and achievements are truly inspiring, thank you for sharing your story -- all the best

[@jacobhofer9502]

I'm in a similar boat! Studying math but dreaming of the circus. How'd you make it happen?

[@TheSusansweeney]

I have known the highly intelligent, highly talented Chris since he was 4 years of age. He went to school with my now deceased daughter as well as did gymnastics with her. I have never had more respect as well as admiration for him than right this very second after watching this. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being YOU

[@cjgatti]

Thanks for checking out my talk Susan! And thank you so much for the kind words. I hope you're well.

[@landynmauricio422]

i guess im asking randomly but does someone know a way to log back into an Instagram account?? I stupidly forgot my password. I love any help you can offer me.

[@mamalovesthebeach437]

Courageous ... I'm an extrovert who has no issues with speaking but even thinking about doing a TED talk makes me so anxious I feel light-headed. Great story of a brave man. I used to do handstands, cartwheels and move constantly. Just before my 19th birthday, I was a passenger on a motorcycle that was hit by a car-the impact site was my left ankle. I struggled to walk after surgeries to re-attached my left foot but at 63 I'm an avid hiker. I've practiced yoga and have done inversions on occasion. I used to spend a fair amount of time upside down and it did make me happy. I'll work again on my handstands and who knows, maybe even walk on my hands again : ) Thanks for inspiring me and for telling us your story Chris-you're amazing!

[@Baggiolyful]

I can relate to this. I have a stutter and believe it’s the one obstacle in my life I must overcome to achieve my potential and learn something from. A lot of great intellects have stutters btw. It’s a long road and i have fell off my bike many times but you just get up and keep moving. Maybe there is no reward at the end but I will embrace the journey and see what’s to come. All you can do is your best and follow your intuition. Great talk

[@joeculpepper4174]

An inspired talk! Bravo, Dr. Gatti. I care about your intellectual work and your handstands equally. Thanks for sharing some of the lessons you've learned from both of those endeavors here.

[@tuljagobburu9117]

This is amazing and highly inspiring. Thank you for attesting that life is all about balancing what your heart desires and what you have to do.

[@flaguser4196]

if he stayed he would have realized that academe is also a circus with all sorts of tricks, stunts, animals and clowns

[@akshatrastogi9063]

😅😅

[@teresawanjirumbatia9235]

Lol

[@lockheart619]

"handstands make me happy"

[@nosiphomubaiwa7645]

Wow so refreshing

[@lisymerci8482]

Thank you for sharing your story, it is very inspirarional.

[@kahnjugaming]

Incredibly inspiring 😁❤️

[@Izekat]

Very inspiring!

[@amberurban3501]

I'm currently in a Master's program, about to graduate, and will continue on to a PhD. I tell everyone in my cohort, every single day, that I'm going to drop out and join the circus. I plan on graduating first, but one day, hopefully, I'll make it to the circus.

[@jacobhofer9502]

How's that going? Did you join the circus?

[@grayghost8609]

Oh hey this guy did a handstand workshop for my aerial class :0

[@fabregasst7362]

This relates to me... Wow

[@truthspeaksgroup1569]

This was excellent!

[@otter662]

I always wonder about these extreme athletes whether they have awareness of the degenerative effects of constant extreme repeated back flexion (affecting back disks particularly lumbar) and extensions (affecting the facet joints). For example, like any material the outer shell of a lumbar disc (annulus fibrosus) may wear out (like a tempered piece of plastic) then rupture at some future point causing herniation and all the neurogenic issues that then come with that. No matter how strong you are, fit you are, biomaterial failure probably can be an issue for these athletes, though not an issue in short-term , could be and issue requiring injury management later in life. Of course, there is always a sample pool of athletes to pull from should a performer be side-lined so for the company like Cirque du Soleil it isn't an issue,, but for individual athletes it is. Given Cirque du Soleil has a presence , a base in Canada do the director, therapists of this company ever consult say Dr Stuart McGill from University of Waterloo who specializes in understanding the back injuries of high performance athletes? How common are these injuries with circus performers? Of course to get a full picture one would have to have information on the athletes that had to leave circus because of injuries sustained, ie, not just talk to the athletes left standing, the ones with 'surviver' bias.

[@AlysaBrown]

Interesting story!

[@donarnold8268]

Thank You Sir!

[@drewmichaeldonnell2696]

100% stand-up guy

[@kasnarfburns210]

Considering his fear of talking due to stuttering, it appears to have been QUITE an achievement to have done a TED talk. Bravo!!! I agree that education is an investment that RARELY can be taken away from you.

[@axelashu]

Can I just marry you!! ... So sorted and so simple

[@cjgatti]

Haha! :)

[@elenakusevska6266]

Because Academia is one big circus, so you already had strong credentials :) I'm kidding, I couldn't resist. Watching the video now.

[@schmetterling4477]

See, a PhD gives you employment options.

[@LavishPatchKid]

lol Because that's the only job you can get with a girl world PhD. You owe a small fortune for something that is worthless.

[@servicekid7453]

Really boring & pointless talk. Don’t trouble us again….