Meet Monica Mancuso | Aerial sling and fitness instructor

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

Hi Monica, what principle do you value most?
I find empowerment to be incredibly important in my career. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the look of pride and excitement on a students face once they have achieved a skill. Cultivating a warm and supportive environment is so crucial to the success of both an instructor and a student. Athletics tend to be surprisingly intimate. Creating a space for people to be themselves and experience a challenge in a positive way is always my goal. We live under so much stress and worry it’s lovely to have a safe space to play. As adults I feel it’s a necessity to have a creative outlet. I’m grateful every day that mine is my work.Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In the aerial world I started out as an amateur and quickly realized I wanted to be an instructor and performer. Being a mother to 3 amazing kids has given me the tools to really connect and communicate with people. Ultimately I’m just a big goofball that wants to share and spark a little joy. I hope to keep pushing towards not only teaching but performing and being able to create a narrative and convey emotions through this art form. The process was definitely not easy. I committed myself and continue to spend hours of practice with mentors and continued education. The hardest part of this process has been the imposter syndrome. Its difficult to not question if your are worthy, good enough, talented enough etc. Today it feels so easy to compare ourselves to others, when in reality we should be focused on being proud of the things we can bring to the table. The only person I’m really competing with is myself. I believe tapping into my passion brings an authentic advantage to my craft. I’ve learned it’s ok to be weird, it’s ok to be imperfect and, it’s ok to own and be yourself. There will be hard days that skills or styles seem out of reach. There are days where you nail everything and feel like a super star. Both are very important for growth. Ultimately I want people to know that aerial arts are accessible for all kinds of people. In the end I would just love to share the joy I have with others.If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Assuming there is no longer a pandemic, Dfw has a lot to offer. I think it would be great to start out with some delicious Indian food from Mumbai grill and head to the skating rink to have some old school fun. Seeing some live music is a must. I’ve always really loved 3 links, the bomb factory, and canton hall. We would definitely have to make time to visit the DMA and the Nasher. It’s always nice to soak up some art and culture. Definitely Vivas Dallas for some circus and burlesque entertainment. I love to dance as well so maybe club dada or wit’s end. Also (shameless plug) Obviously I would bring them to altitude aerial arts, where I work, to learn a little sling or take some of the fun classes we have to offer.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to start with a shout out to my friend and mentor Dawn Mayne. She is the reason I feel in love with aerial arts. Also so much love to my studio Altitude Aerial Arts, my phenomenal coworkers, as well as every wonderful student who makes each day brighter. Last and most importantly my family for supporting me in making my passion a career.

Website: https://www.altitudefitnessfrisco.com, https://www.altitudefitnesshv.com/

Instagram: Dissolvinggirl

Image Credits
Georg Burgess Neal Bailey Studios T5studiodfw Altitude Aerial Arts