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Justin Siow

@justinsleeps

1.6K

followers

1341

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From Toronto 🇨🇦 | Currently in Bangkok 🇹🇭
🎪Aerial Pole
⛸️Aerial Skater
🏮Artistic Duo @we.are.yuno

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May your heart be your guiding key 🗝️

I reflect on the many chance encounters and small interactions that have drastically changed the course of my life. I am privileged to be where I am today, thanks to those who supported me.

#aerialpole #circus #poledance by @justinsleeps

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a month ago

We're getting down to business... to defeat gender norms.

In our duo, we switch the role of porter and flyer often. We honour each other's unique characteristics by exploring beyond the boundaries of traditional social norms. In this way, we can fully embrace who we truly are.
🌞🤝🌛

Thank you for the lifts @le_nes.k and @_aerial.hoop_anja

#aerialstraps #aerialduo #circuslife #mulan taken in Creat by @justinsleeps

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a year ago

July 2025 - We a Circus Duo?

The answer turned out to be yes. It only took going to Spain to figure that out. (Not really. It took a lot more than that.)

We went to @creat_circ to learn straps at their summer intensive. Big thanks to @le_nes.k and @maisiemo_ for being amazing straps coaches. And another thanks to the many other coaches and friends who contributed to our learning experience at CREAT. We truly felt welcomed, inspired and supported throughout our experience with everyone at the school. We hope our paths cross again in the future!

Unfortunately, Justin's phone got stolen in Barcelona at the end of our trip, so we only have about 50% of the photos. 😭

This was our first experience travelling outside of Canada for circus. Training alongside other artists and seeing the local performances revealed a new perspective to us that has changed how we see circus and art. It has strengthened our resolve as a duo, determined to continue building authentic and meaningful connections with other artists and audiences.

Travelling on our own terms was fantastically chaotic. Roaming the streets of Rome from sunset to sunrise, and onwards to the next sunset, and then back to the sunrise, with just a mere nap in between, was a moment, and a half.

Randomly walking into a toy store, to find the figure skater (Nova) and violinist (Justin) Barbies coincidentally stocked right next to each other was some crazy reflection of life.

Gelato in Europe is 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. Lemon Basil was our unexpected unanimous favourite gelato of all time. Undisputed champion.

Running down a mountain with our luggage in Barcelona to catch our bus just 5 minutes before its departure to Valencia was possibly the scariest and most physically demanding event of the entire trip. And it happened on the first day. The intensive training at CREAT following this just could not compare - our bodies were already massacred.

More than training together, this trip taught us about how to support each other in our duo. We realized we needed to be vulnerable far more than we previously assumed. Our art can only be as strong as the connection between us. taken in Creat by @justinsleeps

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a year ago

Started figure skating 1 year ago! ⛸️

What GOE would you give this?

🎥 @skatienova

#figureskating #inlineskating #doubleaxel #flyingpole #poledance taken in Kara's Vic Aerial Art by @justinsleeps

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11 days ago

“I feel I’ve been here before.”

Improvisation session - videography by @justinsleeps 🎥

#aerialskating #flyingpole #inlineskating #improvisation #circus taken in Kara's Vic Aerial Art by @justinsleeps

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11 days ago

Never let go of your authentic self ❤️❤️❤️

🎥 @skatienova

#flyingpole #poleart #inlineskating by @justinsleeps

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14 days ago

I know I'm not perfect. That is why I keep trying.

To become a better person.

🎥 @skatienova

#flyingpole #poleart #circuslife #artisticskating #figureskating by @justinsleeps

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14 days ago

A lot can change in 10 years

I just turned 25 🎂

That's 4 years since I started pole. 🕺🏻
5 years since I started working out. 💪🏻
10 years since I started experiencing major depression (diagnosed much later). 🧠💔

Healing was never easy. I am deeply thankful for all the love and support this pathway has brought me. I've learned so much from the people I have encountered on my journey. You all make my life so much more fulfilling. ❤️

#poleart #aerialpole by @justinsleeps

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16 days ago

I am very thankful to the women in my life.

I give so much credit to them for guiding, supporting and inspiring me to become the kind of person I am today.

Thank you for trusting me.

#poledance #poleart by @justinsleeps

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18 days ago

We create purpose in the meaninglessness of life.

#flyingpole #aerialpole #poledance #aerialarts #circuslife by @justinsleeps

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19 days ago

These boots have changed the trajectory of my life so much in just one year. That probably sounds a bit hyperbolic right now, but so much work has been happening behind the scenes — there are big things coming my way. I am very privileged to be in this position.

It was @skatienova who wanted to pursue aerial skating, and invited me to be a part of it. They brought me into a world full of support from multiple national level ice coaches and former Olympians at @kwskatingclub . These coaches guided me through my journey as a figure skater, starting from the absolute basics (what a way to start!). Honestly, the amount of support felt overwhelming, but I grew to accept and appreciate how much they were invested in my development. Thank you so much for believing in me and investing in my growth.

A few months in, performing our pilot act at @ottawa_circus_fest was a small success with a lot of challenges. Initially intended as a duo, injuries led to our act becoming a solo. Ultimately, it proved to me that this was much more possible than I would have expected. I am thankful to Nova for continuing to be part of the process despite the setbacks.

Now we are in Thailand continuing this path as an aerial skating duo. The breadcrumb trail that led us to our mentor @unbikim is honestly comical to think about. From turning down a show contract a year ago, a few conversations with former cast members led to me learning about Angela and her incredible career. Then the grant writing cohort program from the @baobrampton inspired me to pursue this connection. Though the grant application failed, we pursued the project anyway! Now we are working hard in an artist residency at @kvaerialarts as the current phase of our aerial skating journey.

So many experiences and pursuits have collectively led up to this point. It's rather strange to me how quickly it all has happened. I see now that you don't have to be perfectly prepared to make things happen. But you damn well need support — that's the part I didn't have in the past. And I am forever grateful that I have that support now.

Photos from stage testing at: @ottawa_circus_fest
Photos by: @timpossible.photography by @justinsleeps

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23 days ago

Send help 🧻

#flyingpole #circus #poledance #aerialpole #liminal by @justinsleeps

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a month ago