First! We present our scientific review of Amaluna. Then our guest, the vivacious and effervescent, Melanie Sinclair. Before becoming an acrobat in Cirque du Soliel’s goddess powered Amaluna, she was a US National Team member during the Nastia, Sacramone, Memmel years. Always a fan favorite for her sideline antics (see gif and videos below) and emotional filled routines, she finally gained the attention she deserved at the University of Florida. She was a leader on the team, putting Florida on the map. She was fun to watch no matter what she was doing – competing or dancing with herself during warmups. She exemplifies all of the reasons gymnastics fans adore NCAA gymnastics. We discuss:
- The old school uneven bars act she performs in Amaluna
- Growing up at Orlando Metro under the tutelage of Jeff Wood and Christi Barineau
- The true friendship of her teammate, Amanda Castillo.
- How she became so consistent in college when it was so illusive in elite.
- The power of fun and being oneself in gymnastics.
- How she recovered when her gymnastics career was cut short and what advice she’d give to gymnasts in similar situations.
- How Cirque helps her treat her body like a temple and stay healthy even after a lifetime of gymnastics.
- The rhythms and cycles of a predominantly female cast.
Her career wasn’t complete without Amanda Castillo.
Everything about Cirque’s AMALUNA. This show features college gymnastics’ uneven-bar favorites: Amara (Amy) Defilippo (Arkansas), Melissa Fernandez (Illinois), Summar Hubbard (LSU), Linday Bruck-Ayotte (Michigan), Brittany Urbain (Iowa) and Laura-Ann Chong (Oregon).
The man who actually makes juggling SUPER HOT Victor Key
- 59: What it’s like to be a Cirque du Soleil Talent Scout
- Episode 27: Tricia Woo – An Artistic Gymnast Finds Her Home in the Circus
- A Gym Nerd’s Guide to NCAA Bars
- A Gym Nerd’s Guide to NCAA Beam
- A Gym Nerd’s Guide to NCAA Floor
- 65: NCAA Judge Dean Ratliff, Early Recruiting & Saving Temple Men’s Gymnastics
- 69: 2009 World Champion Kayla Williams & Alabama’s Sarah Patterson
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Thanks for this interview – I am going to see cirque this weekend in London and I am now even more excited !
Yay! Be sure to come back and give us your review of the show you are seeing.
I saw Quidam, it was just great. It was a good show for a first experience of cirque and I have now realised cirque comes to London every January so I know what I want for Christmas already! Would totally love to talk about it on the podcast….