We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mike Weakley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mike , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I’ve been earning a full-time living as an entertainer ever since the end of 1988 when I joined the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a circus clown. After spending 7 years touring with the circus, I moved to Las Vegas for a year and performed as a clown at the Circus Circus Hotel. I then moved to Orlando and started stilt walking at the theme parks and local events. In 2002, I was hired at the newly opened Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel in Kissimmee as an in-house stilt walker, & worked there full time for 8 years. Then in 2010, I decided to become my own boss and became a full time freelance stilt walker, and that is what I am still doing today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a stilt walker, I provide strolling/atmosphere entertainment where I continuously roam around & interact with people. I got my start in the entertainment business when I attended the Ringling Bros. Clown College in Venice, Florida back in 1988. At Clown College, I learned things like juggling, unicycle riding, stilt walking, pie throwing, & makeup application. I also learned things like improvisation, mime, arena choreography, & circus history. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Fun Arts degree, I was offered a 1-year contract to join “The Greatest Show on Earth”. That 1 year turned into a 7-year adventure of a life time. When I moved to Orlando in 1997, I soon discovered that there was a demand for stilt walkers at the theme parks, so I started doing that. After performing at the theme parks & local hotels for a few years, I decided to become my own boss as a freelance stilt walker. Since then, I have become a staple at many festivals, fairs, trade shows, & corporate events all throughout the Southeast.

As a stilt walker, I provide strolling/atmosphere entertainment I’m able to continuously roam around & interact with people. I do things like pose for photos, dance, juggle, make giant soap bubbles, twist balloons, and give out the highest high-fives around… all while standing just over 9 feet tall in the air. I really know how to create that “WOW” factor, and provide guests with a memorable experience they’ll always treasure.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a performing artist is the connection I get to make with people. Making them laugh or providing them with a special moment is what fuels my soul. I love being able to get people to forget about all their problems & life issues… even if it’s just momentarily… and just have fun. It’s all I want to do for the rest of my life.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During the covid pandemic, my business came to a complete stand still (like so many other people). As a stilt walker, I only work when groups of people come together in person… and the more, the merrier. Covid put a temporary halt to that, so I suddenly found myself with no work. But with some savings in the bank & pandemic money from the government, I was able to “ride out the storm” until events started happening again.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stiltfun.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/stiltfun