Meet Vanesa Martinez | Circus Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanesa Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanesa, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that many times when you make a decision in your career or in your life, the risk is directly proportional to the success you can get. Although we have more to lose, limiting ourselves to the known terrain confines us to a small range of possibilities where there is also risk but in this case to conform to what we have and maybe even to feel incapable of more. I also believe that taking risks for what we believe in, beyond the result, gives meaning to life and generates a motivation that can make you reach things you could never have imagined.
In my life and in my career, taking risks has a double meaning. On the one hand achieving my goals requires a life of travel and distance from my family and friends which is a high price to pay and on the other hand I risk my life in every show with the intention of awakening those emotions and feelings that every spectator is looking for when they choose to enjoy a circus act.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I discovered the circus world as an adult, when I reached the age of 22. I was studying environmental engineering in college when my boyfriend and I started attending a circus school as a way to exercise and have fun. We both fell in love with this discipline and decided to leave everything to dedicate ourselves completely to it. At that time we were complete beginners, nothing indicated that we would be successful but we couldn’t think about doing anything else. That was the first difficult decision in my career and today i feel very thankful that i was able to make it despite all the uncertainties. After 8 years in that school, training and rehearsing up to three shifts a day, we got our first job in a circus and shortly after we separated but decided to continue with this project together. That was the second hard decision.
I think what i am proud of is the perseverance with which i always pursued my dream. It was not easy but that is exactly what attracted me to this lifestyle, that the challenges are constant and there is no limit for your body or your mind and you can transfer this to your personal life. Staying focused on my goals helps me to overcome every challenge that appears in my way.
I know that the important thing is to focus on the process and be constant, being aware of the final result I want to achieve but never getting ahead of the steps to follow so as not to lose energy in frustrations.
If there is something that I would like to remark in my story is that I started from zero, without the ability or the certainty, only with a lot of desire. I focused on doing everything in my power, on putting all my energy into my goals, even with my thoughts. I went to sleep imagining where i wanted to be in the future, and i believe that all this attracted people and situations that helped me to move forward. Constancy and perseverance sooner or later give results, and for me that is the most beautiful thing about doing what you are passionate about.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here in buenos aires there are many things to do, especially eating the best meats in the world and going out at night in the city. For sure if a friend came to visit, i would take him to walk around the capital and eat asado on a sunday at my parents house, which is one of the best things to eat here. I would also take him to eat handmade ice cream and drink beer in some cultural bar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize first the support of my family. The decision to dedicate my life to circus was a complete change and a surprise for them, and yet they were always by my side helping me to pursue my dreams. I would also like to recognize my teacher Mario Ortaney, who dedicated years of his life to teach me and believed in me before I did. And of course my friends and my boyfriend that despite the distance they are always waiting with much love for my return.

Instagram: https://vanesa.mrtnz

Facebook: Vanesa Martinez

Youtube: @duosomacircus

Other: https://www.instagram.com/duosomacircus

Image Credits
@thierry_bissat
@barbabam
@bertrand.guay