CARDINAL: the mentorship

Cardinal requires about a 4 hour per week time commitment between the group workshops, the reading materials, and exercises.

However, having a successful experience in the program is not necessarily connected to parking yourself at a desk for 4 hours per week.

For instance, you might have a profound realization in just 10 minutes or listen to a podcast for homework during your daily walk. Big things can happen in little time, especially when you're being open, curious, and brave.

This is a small cohort and getting the full benefit of the experience depends on live participation. That being said, if you believe you can still benefit from the program, but cannot attend the live calls, please explain how you plan to make it work in your application.

All calls will be recorded in case something does come up or you want to revisit the materials.

Cardinal is for aerial and pole instructors with at least a year of aerial coaching experience. To get the most out of this program, you need to have enough coaching experience to inform our discussions and to begin to pinpoint your knowledge gaps. This program is not about your personal technical proficiency, but instead about your understanding of and ability to convey coaching concepts.

Cardinal begins in January and ends in June 2023.

That's me.

I'm Jessica John (she/her), a peak performance coach with a rich movement background as a circus artist, dancer, and competitive athlete. With over 20 years of experience of working in a wide range of environments with circus artists, athletes, and organizations, I'm a premier human performance and leadership training coach. With my extensive experience working with international artists, aspiring professionals, and young dancers and athletes, I offer a unique opportunity to learn what it takes to reach high performance goals.

My peak performance coaching framework is evidence-based and multidisciplinary, addressing technical, strength, mobility, mindset, and creative challenges. I use sport and exercise psychology theoretical frameworks to design performance programs that help my clients achieve their goals through habit-based behavior change interventions. My practice is applied and practical, aimed at helping the driven intermediate enthusiast through the working professional  reach their highest potential.

My previous clients include Cirque du Soleil artists, and many have been accepted into high-level camps, such as Circus Smirkus, professional programs at Ecole Nationale de Cirque, New England Center for Circus Arts, and San Diego Circus Center, and competitions and festivals like Cirque du Demain, Circus Stars USA, and the Aerial Acrobatic Arts Festival.

Before starting to coach, I worked as a leadership analyst with the CIA for more than ten years, where I also developed training programs in applied political psychology. While highly trained and qualified in numerous fields related to human performance, it is my background in assessing world leaders from a distance that inspires my innovation in working with circus artists from afar. In additional to a bachelor’s degree from University of Colorado at Boulder—where I graduated with a degree in political science but immersed myself in physical and cultural anthropology—I also hold a law degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from George Washington University where I concentrated in political psychology.

I use my decade of experience as a circus artist and my numerous certifications and trainings to inform my coaching. I am a GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® trainer, a Girls Gone Strong Women’s Coaching Specialist, and a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist. I am also certified in the Functional Movement Screen Level 1, Progressing Ballet Technique Levels 1 & 2, Integrated Kinetic Neurology Level 1, and Precision Nutrition Level 1. I am currently in the middle of Clinical Somatics Education Level 1 and Dance Movement Analysis certifications.

I am the founder and director of Alter Circus, a contemporary circus, dance, and performance company. I am a Galen Hooks Method and Jacob Jonas the Company Digital Intensive alum.

YES! Cardinal will run once per year. Doors will open again in December to apply for the 2024 program.

If you need a different payment plan or some other form of assistance, please email [email protected] to discuss your situation.

Getting a new teaching gig. Finally raising your prices. Taking your services online.

More self trust. Deeper self awareness. Closer connection to the work that brings you joy.

Developing a studio curriculum. Being able to analyze movement and give students the right drills. Helping your students develop autonomy in the classroom.

These are the types of results you can expect from Cardinal.

Yes. During the 6-month program, you're encouraged to use Telegram whenever you have a question or need extra support. You also get support from fellow participants in the program.

That's me! Cardinal was created by Jessica John.

Yes. Circus Mobility coaches clients from all over the world.

If something difficult is happening in your life, and you're struggling to keep up with the program, I will work with you privately and give you extra support to help you feel successful. However, I do not offer refunds. My commitment to you and prep work begins on the day you enroll. Please check in with your gut, your schedule, and your bank account to be sure you're a "hell yes" before applying.

If you are not sure that the program is right for you, you can email me at [email protected] and we can set up a Zoom call to discuss your situation.

Immediately after enrolling in the program, go into the class portal and read the Welcome section. You'll see a few things that will support our time together.

Yes!

• Create a calm, uncluttered space for doing your work in this program.
• Take full advantage of the workshops and guests. Listen. Jot down realizations. Ask questions. Participate.
• Carve out 2 hours of dedicated time in your week for "homework."

Yes! Studio owners will gain insights to support their leadership role as well as gain insights into their employees.

The tech requirements for this program are:

• Internet access
• Desktop computer, laptop, or tablet
• An email account
• The ability to download Telegram & Zoom
• Ability to open a PDF

This program is for anyone who has experienced patriarchal harm. For this reason, you'll mostly find women in this program.

If you're a white cisgender man and want to complete this program, please join us. During the mentorship, if you were socialized as a man, I invite you to practice listening first and speaking second.

If you believe that you already have the coaching skills of Cardinal, but are interested in just joining the business coaching calls, please email me at [email protected] to discuss your options.