ACROBATIC 'I GAVE BIRTH IN THE JUNGLE'

This world record-holding circus contortionist knows how to hit the bullseye

- Monique Balvert-O'Connor

Shannen Michaela is usually defined by one of two things. “Some people know of me as the foot archery girl and some know me as the girl who gave birth in the Costa Rica jungle,” smiles the 25-year-old performer.

Shannen - who uses her middle name as her surname - is a contorting foot archer who works with Australian troupe Cirque Bon Bon, a circus act created by former Cirque du Soleil director Ash Jacks.

With her impressive footwork, she holds the world record for shooting an arrow the farthest with her feet while in a handstand position - nailing a bullseye from 18.27m.

Little wonder she has more than a million followers on her social media channels and as well as being a circus star, she also works as a content creator. "I live in a very holistic way," she shares. "I'm really into mobility, self-sufficiency, and the freedom and sovereignty aspects of all of that."

Living life on her own terms is important and why she travelled to Costa Rica to give birth to her son Oasyn, now two. "I moved there to have a very beautiful, natural, unmedicated home birth in the jungle, in a cabin that was wooden and earthy," she explains. "It was a peaceful and amazing way for my son to come into the world."