"When you have a dream, a powerful dream, and you realize it's never gonna happen, or the doors are closing, it's really hard to let it go."

What is it like to be a featured performer for Cirque du Soleil?  And how do you get there? 

Stephan Choiniere reveals the dedication, imagination and collaboration it takes to become a featured performer for one of the world's most famous artistic experiences on this episode of Awakened Nation. This deep conversation reveals the years of preparation, waiting and belief in your dreams it takes to become one of the world's best performing artists. 

About Stephan Choiniere

Stephan Choiniere  (pronounced Shwan Year), dedicated himself to theatrical arts from training as an elite gymnast, acrobatic dancer, aerial artist, circus act choreographer, stunt man, and model. Among his most distinguished creations is being the designer and performer of two featured acts for Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas production of Zumanity. Stephan holds a degree in fine arts from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia while attending Temple University on a gymnastics scholarship. After his competition years as an NCAA gymnast, Stephan trained in a variety of dance disciplines in order to fuse more sophisticated choreography with acrobatics.

Host: Brad Szollose

First things, first. How do you say Szollose? It’s pronounced zol-us.

Fueled by the passion to ignite  game-changing conversations, serial entrepreneur and award-winning author Brad Szollose created Awakened Nation®—a podcast dedicated to deeper conversations with today's cutting edge entrepreneurs, idea makers and disruptors, bestselling authors, activists, healers, spiritual leaders, professional  athletes, celebrities and rock stars...conversations that take a deep dive into the extraordinary. This show is like Art Bell meets Joe Rogan.