Speaker Biographies

Aryn Shelander

Master of Foot Archery
Aryn Shelander is a multi-talented artist, trained in the intricate art of Mongolian Contortion and the visionary behind aerial archery. She has graced the stages of renowned talent shows including America’s Got Talent and France’s Got Talent, and captivating audiences across North America, Europe, and the Mediterranean.

Raised in San Francisco, Aryn’s upbringing revolved around a harmonious blend of gymnastics, dance, art, and chess. Her passion for creative expression led her to forge a unique path at UC Berkeley, where she crafted her own degree known as Cognitive Design. At 21, while embarking on a career as a UX designer in the tech industry by day, Aryn also delved into the enchanting world of the circus by night.

Balancing her days designing mobile apps and her evenings training and performing in the circus, Aryn dedicated seven years to honing her craft. However, it was a pivotal moment when she took a break from her role as co-founder of an app design and development agency and ventured to Mongolia with her contortion coach. Aryn immersed herself in the ancient art of foot-archery, forever altering the trajectory of her circus career. This transformative trip equipped her with profound skills and propelled her towards becoming a full-time circus artist, driven by an insatiable thirst to explore the human experience through the captivating medium of Mongolian Contortion.

Connect on Social Media

Watch the Talk

TEDxManhattanBeach

This independent TEDx event is operated under license from TED.
Privacy Policy 
Mira Costa Campus
1401 Artesia Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Join Our Mailing List

Event info, news, previews.