Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle C. Smith. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Since Michelle was five years old, she has been training to create a level of MASTERY around a very unique and highly valuable skill of Staff Spinning/Weapons Manipulation. This training is an ASSET that she uses EVERY. SINGLE. DAY in her LIFE and WORK…with or without a Staff in her hands!
As a World Champion Baton Twirler turned professional stunt woman, martial artist and educator, Michelle have seen the immense benefits that 30 years of training with various tools, weapons and movement has gifted her. Because of the intricate and highly coordinated pathways that are inherent in her formal training, Michelle has first-hand experience with all the gifts these highly specific skills bring. And she is so passionate about sharing these gifts with others!
This passion for sharing these skills lead Michelle to create Freestyle Staff Spinning, a weapons based practice that combines the best technical Baton Twirling material with Martial Arts and Acrobatics. The aim of Freestyle Staff is to create an open and accessible space for all kinds of people to discover and fall in love with all that Staff Spinning, Weapons Spinning or even Baton Twirling can offer them!
You can follow along with Michelle and the rapidly expanding community of Freestyle Staff Spinners in the official online Freestyle Staff Academy as well as Instagram, TikTok and Youtube.
She aspires to create a world where courage, creativity, compassion & authenticity reign by empowering people to embrace their own Inner Bad Ass!
As one of the world’s leading experts in Staff Spinning & Movement Arts, Michelle has used her unique skills, strength and grace on many well know tv shows, movies & stage productions. Whether performing as an actor, stunt woman, speaker or educator, Michelle is known for being one of the top professionals in her industry.
She strives to share her story & work with authenticity, vulnerability, courage & tenacity. Through engaging workshops, keynote speeches, performances & rad online videos, Michelle shares her passion for living life in the most bad ass- ly powerful way.
You can follow along with Michelle and the rapidly expanding community of Freestyle Staff Spinners in her online training platform, Freestyle Staff Academy, as well as Instagram, TikTok and Youtube.
Credit Include:
See
Deadpool
Supergirl
Supernatural
Van Helsing
Red Riding Hood
Percy Jackson
Smallville
Fringe
And Many More!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve always felt like I had a strong sense of purpose, yet I’ve always had to battle for it. When I was a young athlete in baton, I was told I had “no potential.” Even at seven years old, I knew what that meant. From that moment on, I knew that I had to be the one to step up, work harder, prove myself.
That’s never gone away!
I used to get 2nd place a lot when I was competing in baton…I desperately wanted to get 1st place.
I battled through my elite competition career trying so so hard to perform to my full potential, only to be let down by my own performance anxiety.
I choked at many BIG competitions…when it really mattered. And that was devastating for me. It felt like not only was I failing at my sport, I was failing at life.
Professionally, I have had to battle for every ounce of success I’ve had. The film industry is notoriously cutthroat and I gave EVERYTHING of myself to get where I am today.
I gave my whole heart, energy, blood, sweat, money, tears….all that I had…and was still overlooked, ignored.
I was once asked to lose weight for a role…by “doing whatever it takes”…(which I did) only for the role to be given to someone else. They never even bothered to tell me. I starved myself for six months before I found out they just booked someone else.
That all has contributed to my own dark night of the soul. That had lead to a beautiful journey of self-awareness and healing. Everything has brought to exactly where I need to be today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Michelle C. Smith Professional Badass
Educator, Speaker, Actor, Stunt Woman, Fight Coordinator
https://www.michellecsmith.com
https://www.freestylestaffspinning.com
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4346664/
Former World Champion Baton Twirler, turned professional stunt woman, martial artist, and educator, I specialize in weapons and movement arts in film and tv.
My true passion is teaching, which is why I’ve created the Freestyle Staff Academy, a comprehensive online training platform for anyone looking to gain new badass skills, boost confidence and get fit.
Know for being doing fancy lightsaber tricks online!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
That community, even an online community, is everything! We’re all in this together, we are all facing the same reality, fears, uncertainty. Having a community of people around you to help support, uplift, encourage and hold space for each other is so necessary in these times. We have together to heal this planet.
Contact Info:
- Website: michellecsmith.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/michelle.c.smith
- Facebook: tiktok.com/@michelle.c.smith
- Youtube: youtube.com/michellechristasmith
- Other: www.freestylestaffspinning.com
Image Credits
Ror Tio Photography Jenna Burman Photo Yusuf Ahmed
