One coach. One plan. Every tool your aerial body needs.

One coach. One plan.

Every tool your aerial body needs.

A 13-week, 1-to-1 aerial coaching program that finally gives aerialists what most training leaves out:

✔ Integrated strength, mobility, breathwork, prehab, neuroperformance, & recovery—built into your plan from day one, so you can stop managing the same injuries over and over
✔ Expert coaching to refine your skills & fix your sticking points as you progress
✔ Nervous-system-first training that keeps you progressing without the injury cycle

Most aerialists are stuck in this loop: push hard → get hurt → rehab → repeat

Not because they’re not working hard enough, but because their training isn’t integrated from the start.

This isn’t a group class. It’s not a PDF of random drills you’ll forget to do. It's a high-touch, fully personalized coaching system designed for aerialists who want to keep flying for the long haul.

New this cycle: Two track options. Choose the level of coaching support that fits your needs + budget!

We start with a full assessment, so your plan is grounded in data, not guesswork. Then, over the next 13 weeks, I coach you through the process, making sure every session you do moves you toward your goals without breaking your body or burning you out.

Cycle 9 applications close September 1st at midnight PDT, but... as a member of the waitlist, if you apply by Sunday August 24th at midnight pdt, you get $200 off!

Apply before Sunday (Aug 24) at midnight pdt & save $200 >>

Be honest.

Are you training like you’re trying to collect every skill at once?

Layering goal on top of goal while also juggling work, relationships, recovery, and the chaos of daily life is basically strapping on a backpack full of bricks and heading straight up a mountain.

Sure, you can push through—but you’ll pay for it. In energy. In recovery. In joy. (And these days, we NEEED joy.)

I can’t dump your backpack for you.
But I can help you figure out which bricks are worth carrying, flatten the steepest parts of your path, and make sure your training is actually taking you somewhere you want to go.

Good coaching lightens your load, keeps you moving forward, and reminds you why you started in the first place—so you don’t burn out before you even see the view.

Is The Conclave Right For You?

Are you an aerialist (or aerial coach) who wants to:

Spend your limited training time on the drills that will actually move the needle—instead of random exercises from cookie-cutter programs that eat into your creative time
Approach training strategically and realistically, without trying to cram in every exercise you’ve ever been assigned by a physio “just in case"
Have built-in systems, accountability, and feedback (neurodivergent friends, I see you) instead of trying to manage it all on your own
Finally get consistent with the groundwork that breaks the cycle of chronic injuries—especially if you’re prone to overtraining, hypermobility, or autoimmune flare-ups
Progress as a multi-passionate aerialist without training every discipline at once
Collaborate with a coach to find what works best for your body so you leave with the tools to guide your training for years to come
Keep learning about your body because you want to understand why things work the way they do—and because you care about your longevity in the air

If that’s you, I’d love to see your application.

Why an application?
This is Cycle 9 of The Conclave Aerial Training System, and I’ve seen the difference between people who ghost halfway through and people who knock their goals straight into the stratosphere. The difference? A communicative, collaborative relationship. So let’s see if we’re a fit.

Who it’s not for:
Beginners. I love supporting new aerialists in building strong foundations, but The Conclave System is for seasoned aerialists who’ve been in the air long enough to have experienced the highs and the hard knocks.

Apply NOW >>

Exact Outcomes Conclavers Experience.

Every aerialist comes into The Conclave System with their own wishlist. My job is to turn those goals into a clear, achievable plan—grounded in solid technique and smart progressions.

No matter what’s on your list, some results are universal:

More stable shoulders
More core control & breathing patterns
Improved ranges of motion
Better proprioception

These happen because they’re built into the foundation of aerial longevity, regardless of your specific skill targets.

Past Conclavers have achieved:

First straight-arm inversions
Smooth j-flips
Elephant presses
Back flags
Single coil rolls
Cheststands
Freestanding handstands
Touchdown middle splits
…and more.

The exact results you’ll get depend on your goals—but you can expect measurable gains in strength, mobility, and technical understanding for the skills you’re chasing.

This isn’t just a program to follow.
It’s a deeper understanding of your body and how to train it—knowledge you’ll carry for the rest of your aerial life.

Serious about your aerial goals? They aren't going to crush themselves.

Apply Now >>

Why I Created The Conclave.

Hi, I’m Jessica. I’ve been coaching circus for over a decade, with a background in biomechanics, skill acquisition, and artistic direction. And even with all that experience, I’ve struggled to balance my technical training with my creative work.

I’m not the kind of person who thrives in isolation. I don’t need a babysitter, but I do better when I have someone else invested in my success—someone who will check my blind spots, help me pivot when life gets lifey, and remind me that “something” is often better than “nothing.”

That’s why I work with coaches myself.
And it’s why I created The Conclave Aerial Training System—to give aerialists access to the kind of comprehensive, adaptable coaching that actually keeps you progressing.

When you work with me, you get:

Expert technical coaching grounded in the latest biomechanics and skill acquisition research
The push to take messy action instead of waiting for the perfect time
The questioning that helps you train strategically instead of endlessly “putting in hours”
The permission you don’t need to rest when your body is asking for it
The confidence to swap out exercises for ones that work better for your body that day

The Conclave isn’t about rigid plans or cookie-cutter templates. It’s about giving you an integrated, nervous-system-first training system that keeps you moving toward whatever lights you up about aerial, without burning you out along the way.

What Does The Conclave Cost?

The Conclave is a high-touch, one-to-one aerial coaching system—not a cookie-cutter plan. Your investment reflects:

A fully customized, 13-week program tailored to your body, goals, & capacity
My decades of coaching experience, blending biomechanics, skill acquisition, & artistry
Ongoing feedback, accountability, & adjustments so you keep progressing without injury

Because I run this program personally (and without outside funding), I offer a pay-in-full discount to help cover software, time, and transaction fees.

As a member of this waitlist, you get $200 off of the regular price, which has already been applied below.

Choose Your Track...

The Conclave now offers two ways to work with me, so you can choose the level of support that fits your goals, learning style, and schedule.

Both tracks give you the full Conclave programming—a complete aerial training system that integrates skill technique, strength, mobility, and prehab—plus access to the Conclave community.

The difference? How closely we work together.

Core Track — For experienced, self-motivated aerialists who thrive with structure, written feedback, and clear direction, but prefer to work more independently between check-ins.
Guided Track — For aerialists who want a more hands-on, high-touch coaching experience with extra 1:1 time, real-time feedback, and deeper accountability to fast-track their progress. Ideal if you’re working toward complex skills, managing recurring injuries, or know you do your best work with more direct guidance and personal interaction.

Early Action Pricing (Waitlist Only)

Track	Description	Pay in Full	4-Mo Financing Option
Core Track	For experienced, self-motivated aerialists who thrive with structure, written feedback, and clear direction, but prefer to work more independently between check-ins.	$1,697 $1,497	$447/mo $397/mo
Guided Track	For aerialists who want a more hands-on, high-touch coaching experience with extra 1:1 time, video feedback, and deeper accountability to fast-track their progress. Ideal if you’re working toward complex skills, managing rehab or recurring injuries, or know you do your best work with more direct guidance and personal interaction.	$2,197 $1,997	$577/mo $527/mo

What Does The Conclave Cost?

The Conclave is a high-touch, one-to-one aerial coaching system—not a cookie-cutter plan. Your investment reflects:

A fully customized, 13-week program tailored to your body, goals, & capacity
My decades of coaching experience, blending biomechanics, skill acquisition, & artistry
Ongoing feedback, accountability, & adjustments so you keep progressing without injury

Because I run this program personally (and without outside funding), I offer a pay-in-full discount to help cover software, time, and transaction fees.

Choose Your Track

Both tracks include the full Conclave programming—a complete aerial training system that integrates skill technique, strength, mobility, and prehab—plus access to the Conclave community. The difference? How closely we work together.

Core Track

For experienced, self‑motivated aerialists

You thrive with structure, written feedback, and clear direction—and prefer to work more independently between check‑ins.

Includes

✅Full Conclave programming (custom 13‑week plan)
✅Custom check‑ins in TrueCoach
✅Written feedback in the app
✅Community group access
❌Two private 1:1 coaching calls
❌Personalized video feedback
❌Private group chat + mindset support

Pay in full $1,497

4‑month plan $397/mo

Guided Track

For aerialists who want high‑touch coaching

You want extra 1:1 time, real‑time feedback, and deeper accountability to fast‑track progress. Ideal for complex skills, recurring injuries, or if you do your best work with direct guidance.

Includes

✅Full Conclave programming (custom 13‑week plan)
✅Custom check‑ins in TrueCoach
✅Written feedback in the app
✅Community group access
✅Two private 1:1 coaching calls
✅Personalized video feedback
✅Private group chat + mindset support

Pay in full $1,997

4‑month plan $527/mo

Track Comparison: Core vs. Guided

Feature	Core Track	Guided Track
Full Conclave programming	✅	✅
Custom check-ins in TrueCoach	✅	✅
Written feedback in the app	✅	✅
Alumni group access	✅	✅
Two private 1:1 coaching calls	❌	✅
Personalized video feedback	❌	✅
Private group chat + mindset support	❌	✅

Apply NOW >>

Don't Just Ask Me, Ask the Alums...

What would you tell people who are considering The Conclave?

"I've already been recommending it to people. I can tell i've gotten so much stronger and more flexible. It's a very different style of training than I have done before and I love the progress I am seeing with it." -Lexi Grim, Cycle 7
"Jessica is phenomenal and reviewing goals and tailoring programming to meet that goal. She is also exceptional at making adjustments, providing actionable feedback and coaching with consent.Everything is anatomically targeted specifically toward your goals and what you need to achieve them. It's glorious." -Nicole Sirdoreus, Cycles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8
"If you are open to reevaluate your strengths and weaknesses and let Jessica target those areas you will make the desired progress." -Suvi Lappalainen: Cycle 7
"Do it. Spend the money. This program allows you to live with and IN your body vs doing it to your body. You will absolutely crush your goals with Jessica’s guidance and/or get an invaluable amount of 'tools' in your training tool box to further your practice on your own." -Lara Hotz, Cycles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8
"Conclave is hard and humbling in the best possible way. Attaining goals in a measured, safe and productive way is a process. If you’re ready to work hard, be accountable, and challenge yourself, this is the program to do it!" - Christina Llames, Cycle 8
"It makes a huge difference to have someone as knowledgeable and caring as Jessica take a look at your training holistically and help you structure your goals. I feel supported working towards my goals and appreciate having a thoughtfully set schedule to follow that is also flexible if I need it to be." -Jessica DuRousseau, Cycles 2, 4, 6, 7, & 8
"Conclave is brilliant and Jessica's programming methodology and ethos is outstanding. If you want to thrive in your aerial practice, to have someone super knowledgeable tailor your training to identify and work on your weaknesses, find consistency and accountability and to make tangible goals in skills, strength and flexibility then this programme will be one of the best investments you ever made." -Jess Allen, Cycles 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8
"Just do it. Goals/progress take work to achieve and through a well structured, organized, and curated like the Conclave you will see your goals come to life. Your progress may not be overnight but you will find things getting easier, your body getting strong or more flexible at a safe a realistic pace. As aerialist we spend tons of money on stuff (rigs, new apparatuses, Swedish ladders, etc.) Why not invest money in your body and its overall health and well being too?" -Tamara Kenessey, Cycle 4
"If you're looking for personalized quality feedback and cueing then this is totally for you. Little things I wouldn't have thought of like moving my arms up a bit more or closing my ribs even more were so helpful! Be ready to work and learn all about the joys of rolling!" -Sarah Headley, Cycles 3 & 4
"I always tell [people] it's not just exercises to help you reach your goals but it organizes your life." -Mona Almazidi, Cycles 3, 4, & 5
"The Conclave is phenomenal for skill acquisition! The details in the cueing are amazing and all the programming is specific to your body and your needs. I have inadvertently retrained skills I thought I had and am now so much stronger in them and am so much more stable!" -Tabitha Duquette, Cycles 1-4
"This program has helped me reach goals I was starting to doubt I would ever be able to achieve. I knew I had the strength to achieve them, but also knew there were key elements I was unable to piece together on my own. Jessica is so incredibly knowledgeable and was able to put those pieces together so I could understand and train the right aspects to achieve those goals. I love the amount of consideration for each person's goals and schedules that is taken into account when the programs are created. If you are someone looking to reach that next goal, level up, or just want the accountability of a program designed specifically for you, this program is for you." -Kelly Cunningham, Cycles 3 & 4
"Highly recommended, especially for people training alone and needing the extra push to improve or polish their skills!" -Sahar Deinparvar, Cycle 4

What makes The Conclave different from other programs?

"The level of detail!! Incredible! The fast responses when I needed support. The fact that you included the WHY rather than just the HOW!" -Anna Rohnbogner, Cycle 8
"HOLISTIC APPROACH. You are able look at everything from the whole picture. You also focus on smaller movements or more movements that will make an impact in the long run. Your programs bring longevity into the equation vs short term goals. It’s been a game changer having a coach that actually listens to you about what struggles you're having with your goals and tailors it to you rather than the “you're just not *insert excuse here* enough." -Lara Hotz, Cycles 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8
"How in depth and comprehensive the programme is. Small fundamental movements that make a big difference" -Leander Proctor, Cycle 8
"Jess has an amazing ability to see and understand what works and doesn’t work in different bodies. I have made more progress with one particular skill in n 5 weeks than I have made in months." -Christina Llames, Cycle 8
"It is targeted and so personal. In the best way." -Heylie Heck, Cycles 2, 3, & 4
"I really enjoyed the personalized feedback each week if I posted videos. Having the additional cueing that's within the next day and ready for me the next workout was so helpful! Also the changing of exercises so I was always adding something new made things so fun!" -Sarah Headley, Cycles 3 & 4
"I love that it’s so comprehensive and looks at your training schedule as a whole not just flexibility or conditioning and also takes in to account work, family and other commitments. I honestly was feeling overwhelmed before The Conclave trying to fit in all the things!" -Claire Luckman, Cycle 4
"The combination of solo work and feedback. I feel like most programs are written for that person and then they are left to their own devices. I crave direct, non-judgmental and actionable feedback that I can go use as corrections for the next session. Jessica always provides that and I am so grateful."-Nicole Sirdoreus, Cycles 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8
"The mobility and flexibility assessment makes this program different from other standardized programs. The program is written based on your goals and assessment." -Vanessa Sirois, Cycle 4
"I felt supported by my coach and fully equipped to make the progress I was shooting for. I have never been so excited to workout. Skills that I have struggled with in the past are now within reach." -Amy Johnson, Cycle 4
"I don't feel like I'm doing a bunch of one-size-fits-most exercises. Jess has a totally different approach than other coaches I've met. The drills each have very specific purposes that help you meet your aerial goals." -KT McBurnie, Cycles 4 & 5
"The variety of exercises was nice. I've been in the game a long time and done a lot of different progressions, but every workout had things I've never done." -McKell Anderson, Cycle 4
"I find The Conclave to be very whole-person centred and deeply responsive to my shifting needs/energy levels/commitments across the cycle. I love the inclusion of breathing and nervous system regulation exercises as part of workouts and Jessica draws from her huge knowledge base (Gyrotonic, dance, etc.) to program some really inventive drills that have helped me progress in ways where other things have failed!" -Jess Allen, Cycles 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8
"I don’t know of another program that is individually designed with opportunities for almost daily feedback, and weekly adjustments, that targets specific goals. That is the coolest part. I learned a bit how to break a skill into component parts, which will serve me in my training, but I also expect I’ll find myself joining the Conclave again for the unique programming, and the skill [Jessica has] in doing that for people." -Heather Griffin, Cycle 4
"Very comprehensive, lots of options for exercise-specific feedback." -Giselle Garcia, Cycle 4

Questions You Might Be Asking Yourself.

What if I don’t follow through?

Isn’t this kind of expensive?

I don’t have enough time for this.

How long until I see results?

Do I need to be a professional to join?

I'm currently injured. Can I start this program?

Will I receive feedback in this program?

I don't live in the United States. May I enroll and do this program?

What if I’m not advanced enough?

What supplies do I need to do this program?

When does the program start?

Who created and coaches in The Conclave?

That's me.

I'm Jessica John (she/her).

I'm a coach and mentor to performance artists across the globe. With over 30 years of high-level sport experience, I'm a premier skill acquisition specialist for circus artists and pole dancers, from Cirque du Soleil professionals trying to stay healthy on tour to committed enthusiasts trying to fit in training between careers and kids. I draw from my own rich movement background as a circus artist, dancer, and competitive athlete, as well as a former career as an intelligence officer and lawyer, to offer a unique opportunity to learn what it takes to reach high performance goals.

My human-centered coaching philosophy is evidence-based and multidisciplinary, addressing technical, strength, mobility, nutrition, psychological, 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. What that looks like in practice is a relational approach to high performance coaching, aimed at helping driven aerialists reach their highest potential while still retaining their autonomy and creative voice.

In a past life, I worked as a leadership analyst with the CIA for more than a decade, where in addition to living in Africa and the Balkans, I developed training programs in applied political psychology. My background in assessing world leaders from a distance has inspired my innovation in working with and addressing mindset challenges in 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 while immersing 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 am a lifelong learner and my education did not stop at university. My movement education began as a GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® Trainer, and I continue to take specialized courses, such as Therapeutic Applications for the Shoulder Girdle, the Pelvic Girdle, and Scoliosis, that inform my coaching and practice. I am a Girls Gone Strong Women’s Coaching Specialist and a NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, and am 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 have participated in a Dance Movement Analysis course and Katie St. Clair’s Empowered Performance program to up-level my assessment and programming abilities. I am currently in a Clinical Somatics Education Level 1 certification, as well as a Certified Biomechanics Specialist Certfication through Conor Harris.

I view coaching as a relational practice and an opportunity to shape circus and pole culture. I hold a commitment to actively applying a trauma-informed lens, and I completed CULTIVATE {trauma-informed space holding training} with Katie Kurtz, MSW LISW-S. I have participated in James-Olivia Chu Hillman’s 6-month Disobedience School, Fleur Lawson’s Power With Not Power Over: Accountability in Action for White Women, and Kelly Diels' 11-month feminist power-building and culture-building program We Are The Culture Makers. I am currently working to build a racially equitable online business through Annie Gichuru's program Represented.

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

I am not afraid to ask if I don't know the answer, and I use a range of outside advisers and referrals to help clients meet their goals.

I hold a systemic analysis and my feminism is inclusive and about justice. I believe that empowerment is a collective practice and a collective outcome. I believe in using my positional power as a coach to shape circus culture to cherish all bodies. I know that gender is a social construct, and I am in solidarity with my trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming siblings. I enthusiastically support Black Lives Matter and the movement to dismantle white supremacy. I believe that Fatphobia and Diet Culture are social justice issues. (H/T Kelly Diels)

When will you run this program again?

Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?

What kind of "ROI" (return on investment) can I expect from this program? Is it a wise investment of my money, time, & energy?

What if I enroll in this program but then something comes up and I cannot complete the program. Can I get a refund?

Is there any prep work I need to do before the program begins?

Do you have any suggestions on how to get the most out of our time together?

I'm not very tech savvy. Will I survive this program?

How is this different from other programs?

Will I actually get support?

What if I don’t understand something?

What happens after the program ends?

I’ve tried coaching before and it didn’t work.

I think this program is for me, but I am not 100% sure. Any thoughts for me?

Apply NOW >>