David Stickler

Raised in the western US, as a chubby kid lacking grace, David found that athletics allowed him to glimpse his potential and find a degree of purpose. Football became his passion, gave him confidence, and provided a ticket to college and to see the world. He was an All-Conference player at Fort Lewis College, where he received his BA in Exercise Science and held school powerlifting records. He pursued professional football in the Arena League and in Europe until injuries changed his path. His love and devotion to training the physical body, along with his education, led him to become a strength coach for collegiate teams and athletes. While serving as the trainer for a circus/burlesque troop, he discovered new modalities for physical development, yoga, and the circus arts became his new vehicle for range of motion, flexibility, and strength. David joined the Salt Fire Circus as the troop “Strong-man,” where he performed in aerial acrobatics/dance and acroyoga. He also followed a dream to a Tibetan village where he lived and studied the culture of Buddhism and Bon Shamanism. This was followed by an immersion in yoga while staying for 3 months in Rishikesh India, where he also returned to study in 2020.