Ep. 5:Mariia Konfektova: Finding Passion, Overcoming Injury, and Flying Again.

Intro

When I first came across Mariia Konfektova, it immediately sparked memories of my own time in Wuqiao. That little corner of China, often called the birthplace of acrobatics, is where so many circus stories intertwine — including hers and mine. It’s also where my Bubble Bum costumes are made today, so Wuqiao will always hold a special place in my heart. Even though Mariia and I didn’t cross paths there at the same time, the connection runs deep: the training, the culture shock, the resilience it takes to adapt and thrive in that environment.

I first heard Mariia’s name through my friend Amanda Wesley (Episode 2), who had also trained in Beijing. And it reminded me that so many of the artists I’ve chosen to feature in this first season are people I’ve crossed paths with — artists who have inspired me, moved me, or changed the way I see circus. From Beijing to Wuqiao, these places seem to pull us all together in different ways. Mariia spent time training in Beijing too, later performing at the Wuqiao Festival, and Emma Phillips (Episode 6, coming next week) also found herself training in Wuqiao. Our journeys are all unique, but the threads overlap in such familiar and beautiful ways.

Mariia’s story stood out to me because it mirrors so much of what I felt in Wuqiao — the intensity of training, the moments of isolation, and the way those experiences end up shaping not just your craft, but your entire outlook on life. From Russia to China, and now touring with Cirque du Soleil, her path is proof of how circus can transform dreams into reality, even through challenges and setbacks.

In this episode, Mariia opens up about her journey — the beginnings, the challenges, how she’s found her way back after her accident, and the future she envisions in circus.

(Maria as a child)

Interview

Early Days & Background 

Jess: Where are you from originally, and where did you grow up?

Mariia: I grew up in a small town Kolpino next to Saint-Petersburg in Russia.

Jess: Did you always know you were going to become a circus artist, or did it come more from your background — like starting in gymnastics or dance — and when did you first really fall in love with it?

Mariia: Growing up I dreamed of studying medicine — I wanted to be a surgeon. I was active in biology and chemistry competitions and did quite well, but my exam scores weren’t high enough for a scholarship, and my family couldn’t afford medical school. So I chose physical education, which felt natural since I’d been a rhythmic gymnast for more than a decade.

After my first year at university I looked for a summer job and found a contract at Europa-Park in Germany. I was 18 and working as a dancer in parades and phototimes — my very first experience in the entertainment industry. Before then, I didn’t even know aerial existed. That summer I saw several aerial performances and felt such excitement. It looked so fun and effortless, and I had an immediate urge to try.

At that time there weren’t many aerial studios, so I put off the idea for a while. Then I came across an Instagram post from another Russian rhythmic gymnast who had become an aerialist. She shared her struggles and her journey, and I was so inspired. Her words stuck with me for months until I finally found an aerial studio. I couldn’t believe my luck. I quickly became friends with the owner, who gave me a key so I could practice at night. From that moment aerial became my number one priority. I felt like I’d found the passion of my life — and I still feel so lucky. (Mariia in rhythmic gymnastics)

Jess: I know for me, training in Beijing was intense but so special. Did you also train in China? If not, where did you do your training, and what was that experience like for you?

Mariia: All of my training was tied to my contracts. In total, I spent four and a half years in China. The first three and a half were in Zhuhai, home of the China International Circus Festival. I was hired to perform my solo aerial hoop act in Chimelong International Circus. Unfortunately, I arrived just before the pandemic and we weren’t allowed to perform for almost two years.

It was a tough time, but also very special in terms of creating myself as an artist. I trained every day on my own, and during those countless hours I created something new on the hoop. That period gave me a breakthrough and made me more visible on Instagram.

In 2023 I moved to Beijing to live with my husband and began working with the China National Acrobatic Troupe, which has its own circus school. I even lived inside the school in one of the student dorms. It was such an interesting experience to see how they teach children all the traditional Chinese genres, their educational methods, and approaches. I loved being able to practice in the theatre whenever students weren’t in class. It became another place very dear to my heart, where I created some of my signature tricks and transitions that I’m still performing today.

Wuqiao Connection

Jess: After my time in Beijing, going to Wuqiao felt like such a different experience — the warmth of the people, how friendly and welcoming everyone was. Did you feel something similar while you were there?

Mariia: I have experience of living in Guangdong Province and Beijing, south and north. Compared to the south, where people were not very friendly and rarely made contact with me — they didn’t try to understand my poor Mandarin because they mostly spoke Cantonese — my experience in Beijing was more pleasant. I felt more support when I tried to communicate with the locals, and at that moment I started speaking Mandarin better thanks to the people around me. Maybe this experience was so different for me because of the people I worked with and doesn’t apply to everyone.

Wuqiao is recognized as the birthplace of Chinese acrobatics. Unfortunately, most of the time I spent there I was stressed out. I came to perform at the festival and didn’t have enough time to practice my act with the local winch because there were so many other artists and the stage time was limited. My anxiety was high, and I didn’t feel safe to perform at all. I do remember visiting Wuqiao Acrobatic World though — it’s a theme park with many tiny traditional shows, and it was fascinating to see.(Beijing International Arts/Acrobatic School)

Jess: Another part I loved was the food street. I still really miss mantou — that soft, warm steamed bread they make fresh in the mornings. And jianbing too — that thin pancake cooked on a griddle with egg, scallions, bean sauce, and that crispy crunchy layer inside. Did you get to try the local food while you were in Wuqiao? What was your favourite?

Mariia: Oh, I’m the wrong person to be asked about street food! I’m a very careful and picky eater and almost never try it. My favorite Chinese dish, which they serve almost everywhere, is caixin 菜心 — Chinese cabbage. I’m also a big hot pot lover, especially the HaiDiLao chain. I could eat there every day for the rest of my life. I still visit their branches in every country they have them. Even now, being in Korea, I go there on every day off. They have a special atmosphere, and the staff almost always speak Mandarin, which is such a heartwarming talking practice for me.

(Working in Zhuhai I had 4 different hoops at the same time (sizes, weights) to experiment and create different material)

Jess: I recently downloaded Duolingo to touch up on my own Mandarin because I feel like I’m losing it a bit. Did you learn to speak Chinese or pick up some words along the way? What was that experience like for you?

Mariia: After spending one year and realizing I still didn’t know any words, I started to learn with a teacher. I had classes twice a week. She was tough, very Soviet-style, but she kept me motivated. After two years of consistent classes I finally started to feel confident in my everyday life. Once I started learning Mandarin, I began to understand Chinese culture and their way of thinking better, which made my life there so much more enjoyable. Of course I feel like I’m losing it now, but I know that when I’m in the environment again, most of it will come back.

Jess: You also performed at the Wuqiao International Circus Festival in 2023, which is such a legendary event. How did you first hear about it and get the opportunity to be part of it?

Mariia: My boss at that time was hired to direct the festival. He simply asked me if I wanted to be part of it. I felt so happy, since it was my first circus festival experience. Actually, the 20th Wuqiao Festival is happening right now as we speak! I haven’t seen the list of participants or any videos yet, but I’m excited to check it out.

(from Wuqiao Festival)

The Accident & Recovery

Jess: Last year you went through something unimaginable — falling from such a big height on aerial hoop. Can you take us back to that day, what you remember, and how it changed you?

Mariia: To be honest, right now I’m feeling lost, because of my accident all the plans I had before changed. Health is my priority now. I still have to undergo two surgeries because of the fall, and it’s going to take me a couple of years, maybe even more, because of recovery. After that… who knows? I’m open to everything and will choose when the time comes.

Jess: Did you break anything, or have to get surgery as part of your recovery? How long were you out before you could perform again?

Mariia: I still have to undergo two surgeries because of the fall, so recovery is an ongoing process. It’s going to take time, and for now my focus is fully on healing.

Jess: For you, after an accident like that, was it scary to climb back up on the hoop for the first time?

Mariia: Yes, it was very hard. After something like that, you can’t just jump back into training as if nothing happened. You have to rebuild not only your body, but also your confidence. That’s the most difficult part for me.

Jess: What gives you the strength to keep performing after what happened?

Mariia: It’s hard to even imagine a life without circus, so I’m thinking of connecting my childhood dream with circus — maybe physiotherapy and rehabilitation for circus performers. Over the last year I realized the demand far exceeds supply. Performers get injured all the time, it’s part of the job, but there aren’t enough specialists who understand circus specifics. I’d love to help performers recover with creative, tailored rehabilitation and hopefully help them come back even better than before their injuries.

Performing on the World Stage

Jess: You mentioned that you’re on tour — where are you right now, and what show are you working on?

Mariia: Right now I’m on tour with Cirque du Soleil’s show Kooza. We’re finishing up in Busan and next week moving to Seoul, where we’ll be performing until the end of the year.

Jess: How did you adapt to touring life — the travel, the schedules, and performing night after night?

Mariia: It’s still an ongoing process! I don’t like living out of a suitcase, but there’s no other choice. I’m happy we travel every 2–3 months, not every week like some arena shows, but still it’s quite a challenge. Before Cirque I was always on long-term contracts in stationary theaters, so this lifestyle is a big change.

It has its perks — seeing new places, getting to know other cultures — and its drawbacks, like issues with banks and documents because you never have enough time in one place. I try to focus on the bright side and take the best of it. One thing I really appreciate is that every week we get two days off, which is rare in this industry. It’s great for both mental and physical recovery — you don’t need to choose between exploring a new city or resting in bed, you can do both!

Over the last year I’ve also become a gym addict, and now I’m trying to balance performing with working out. It’s challenging because I need to save energy for the night shows, and after the shows it’s too late. Falling asleep after a long day can be hard too, so I have a strict policy of no social media before bed. It makes a big difference for me — though it’s still an ongoing struggle.

(Work in Zhuhai, Chimelong)

Training & Lifestyle

Jess: One of my mentors in India, a former Cirque du Soleil artist, taught us to do a visualization before we performed — going through the whole act step by step in our minds, every single trick, so we wouldn’t get up there and forget what came next. Is that something you do too before a show? How important do you think visualization is in circus training?

Mariia: I know this method, but I don’t use it often. For me, nothing works better than repetition. Doing something ‘for real’ hundreds of times is what gives me peace of mind and confidence. But when that’s not possible, visualization can be a great tool.

I mostly use it when creating a new act — especially before I know the music. I’ll listen to the music and imagine possible tricks, combinations, and pathways. I also visualize my complete act before bed if it’s new or if it’s been a while since I performed it. Visualization also helps when learning something new — it’s good to imagine how you’ll do it before you actually try. But for me, nothing replaces physically trying and learning from mistakes.

Jess: And have you ever been on stage, high up in the air, and forgotten a sequence? I know with hula hoop it’s easy to improvise if that happens, and it can still look beautiful. Is that something you can do in the air — improvise if something goes off-plan? And if so, can you share an experience where that happened, and what you did to save it?

Mariia: Yes, it happened to me twice — once during a show, and another time in rehearsal. During the show, I skipped a big part of the sequence because I had been practicing a similar transition backstage for an Instagram video. Muscle memory just took over. Luckily, nothing bad happened — I just ended up on the ground about 40 seconds sooner than planned and awkwardly wandered around the hoop waiting for the next cue.

The second time was more embarrassing. I had a crush on one of the technicians, and he was in the audience. In the middle of my act we made eye contact, and I lost it — I couldn’t think of my routine anymore, only of him. I forgot what came next while I was still in the air. Again, nothing bad happened, but I learned my lesson: the air is not the place for flirting. Now I stay extra focused, no distractions, because the price can be too high.

Improvising in the air is possible if you have a winch operator who knows you very well and can play along when something goes wrong. But in some places, everything is programmed into the system with no room for error — your routine must be exactly the same every show. If something goes wrong there, you give a gesture to the stage manager to stop the act. So yes, improvisation can be a useful skill, as long as it’s safe.

Looking Forward

Jess: What’s next for you in your career — any dreams or goals beyond touring?

Mariia: To be honest, right now I’m feeling lost because of my accident. All the plans I had before changed, and health is my priority. I still have to undergo two surgeries, and recovery might take a couple of years or more. After that… who knows? I’m keeping an open mind and will decide when the time comes.

Jess: If you weren’t doing circus, what do you think you would be doing instead?

Mariia: It’s hard to even imagine a life without circus, but I think something connecting my childhood dream and circus — maybe physiotherapy and rehabilitation for circus performers. Over the last year I’ve realized that demand far exceeds supply. Performers get injured all the time, and there aren’t enough specialists who understand circus specifics. I’d love to help artists recover with creative exercises designed for their cases, and help them come back even stronger than before.

Jess: What advice would you give to young circus artists who dream of a career like yours?

Mariia: Dream big and always believe in yourself. Don’t listen to anyone who says your dreams are unrealistic. That’s what happened to me. When I started aerial, I told my friends I wanted to work for Cirque du Soleil with a solo act — they all laughed. Who’s laughing now, huh?

Another piece of advice: go to the gym! I used to underestimate weightlifting, but now I know a stronger body gives you more freedom and confidence in the air, and it prevents injuries. I could have avoided many of mine if I’d had more muscle back then. So yes — dream big, believe in yourself, and get strong.

Jess: And finally, the Bubble Bum Banter signature question — if you had to choose: velvet or stripes?

Mariia: I don’t want to choose because I like both! But if I have to — velvet.( From Wuqiao festival)

Outro

Sitting here with my oat latte… reading through Mariia’s answers, I’m reminded why I started Bubble Bum Banter in the first place. Every week, another incredible artist shares their story with me, and I get completely immersed. Honestly, I think I created this series for myself — because each time I open a new email, I feel more motivated, more focused, and I make sure to carve out those little snippets of time — whether it’s rolling out my mat for Pilates, stretching through a quick yoga flow, or squeezing in 30 minutes of active leg flexibility. Those small moments bring me closer to my goals.

But I also love that I get to share these stories with you, because they’re not just about performing — they’re about resilience, reinvention, and the endless ways circus can shape a life. Like Mariia says, even if she’s not performing every day in the future, she’ll still be part of this world through physiotherapy and helping other artists.

That’s the beauty of circus. It’s not just a short career under the spotlight. There are infinite opportunities — from performing to teaching, mentoring, creating, innovating. For me, it led to starting a circus-inspired clothing brand and this very interview series. For Mariia, it might mean blending her childhood dream of medicine with circus through rehab and physiotherapy. For someone else, it might be passing on skills to the next generation.

So if you’re 28, 29, or 30 and worried about taking the leap into circus school — do it. Maybe performing won’t be forever, but the path it opens up will take you places you can’t even imagine yet. Circus is not the end — it’s the beginning. And once you take that leap of faith, it’s truly life-changing.

Sending love, velvet & stripes,
Jess 💜