As a former gymnast and dancer, I consider myself relatively flexible. I've always been able to touch my toes, do a backbend, and even do a split.
I even spent a few years working for a circus arts studio, so it's pretty hard to surprise me when it comes to insane flexibility.
That being said, I was blown away when I first came across these photos of Steph Mercury.
Steph is best known for her circus act in which she stuffs her entire body into a two-foot jar. That's right, a two-foot jar.
Steph has become known as the "pickled lady" for her act, which she has been doing for five years.
For the past half decade, Steph has been part of the Circus of Horrors — in addition to her pickled lady act, she also does an aerial act.
But Steph has some news: She is no longer going to be the pickled lady.
[H/T: Mirror]
Steph was always flexible. As a kid she was a dancer and gymnast, but she didn't realize quite how bendy she was until later in life.
When a friend finally pointed out to Steph that her flexibility wasn't normal, she realized she could do something special with her talent.
When Steph was 17, she went to see the Circus of Horrors.
At the end of the show, she went to talk to some of the performers, and she somehow ended up becoming part of the show.
Steph always loved hiding in small places, like cabinets, so when the Circus of Horrors suggested the pickled lady act, Steph was immediately on board.
Once she saw the jar, though, she had some second thoughts.
Despite her hesitations, Steph taught herself how to fit into the two-foot jar.
It takes a lot of bending and folding to fit into the jar, but it's totally second nature to Steph now.
Although she's able to get into the jar without any problem, Steph's decided it's time to quit.
After five years of being the pickled lady, Steph is sick of the bruises and joint pain she gets from squeezing herself into the jar.
Steph isn't quite ready to give up the circus life altogether, though.
She plans to continue working for the Circus of Horrors as an aerialist.
Steph explained that she always has bruises on her legs and sides from where they press into the jar.
She also gets back pain anytime she hasn't fully warmed up.
What do you think of the pickled lady?
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