Is Aerial Instruction a Viable Career? | W/ Nafeesa Islam

Описание: IN MY ELEMENT - CONVERSATION 4
In this episode of In My Element, we sit down with aerial artist and coach Nafeeesa Islam to talk about her path into aerial, her work as a full-time instructor, and how movement has shaped her career.

Nafeesa shares how she first discovered aerial in 2014, what kept her coming back, and how teaching became a sustainable way to stay deeply engaged in the practice. We discuss training with hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), building joint stability, and why aerial felt like a natural fit.

The conversation also covers performance and act creation, navigating creative decision-making, staying inspired while teaching full-time, and what growth looks like in an industry that sits between a sport and art. Nafeesa offers an honest perspective on finances, networking, and the systems required to make a movement-based career work long-term.

00:00 Welcome + Meet Aerialist & Coach Nafeesa Islam
00:54 How Nafeesa Discovered Aerial
02:01 Hypermobility/EDS, Strength, and Why Aerial Stuck
03:44 From Student to Instructor: Teacher Training & First Classes
06:17 Aerial Physique TV: The “Netflix for Aerial” Resource
07:23 Performing Journey: From Showcases to 6 Acts in a Year
09:39 Act Creation & Choreography: Coaches, Duos, and Decision Fatigue
12:39 Staying Fresh as a Full-Time Coach + Training Inspiration
14:39 Making Aerial a Sustainable Career + What Growth Looks Like
18:54 Finding Gigs: Networking, Social Media, and Opportunities
20:10 Misconceptions and Defining Success
26:25 Virtual Coaching and Final Takeaways
30:39 Where to Find Nafeesa + Closing Thanks