Blog

When I first tried to learn sword swallowing, I hit nothing but locked doors. I went to shows and tried talking to sword swallowers in person. I tracked down phone numbers for the handful I could find. Almost every attempt was the same: “It’s too dangerous, don’t even try.” Or “It’s too much liability, I don’t teach.” And that was it. No books. No videos. No mentors. Nothing. I didn’t even know for certain if it was real. I remember calling magic shops, asking magicians if it

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY A world-class performance artist with 30 years of elite experience across 85 countries and all 50 U.S. states. A multi-gold medalist and Guinness World Record holder, Bill Berry blends physical mastery with philosophical depth. Now shifting focus toward mentorship, Bill teaches a "Complete Artist Philosophy"—guiding the next generation to achieve technical excellence while building a "Good Life" through financial independence, home ownership, and sustaina

Noah’s dry cleaning bill was $174. Mine was just under $50. Why do we spend that kind of money on dry cleaning? Because one of the most important things you can do as a professional, a creative, or an entertainer is to look fantastic. If you expect people to spend thousands of dollars on your art, your show, or on you, then you need to look like you’re worth that kind of money. One of the easiest ways to elevate your image is to make sure your clothing is always in top condit

If you want to get booked, you need more than talent. You need presence. You need connection. And you need the right promotional photos....

This is (WAS) my truck. Pretty, isn’t it? But here’s the thing—this truck was the only thing standing between me and the next chapter of...

When I met Bill Berry, I had already been street performing for a while, doing small local shows, stilt walking, balloon twisting, mime,...

While going through a mountain of old notes, I recently stumbled upon something that made me smile — a long-forgotten collection of...

Almost everything I write is real life experiences, and this is a good example. On November 20, 2021, I was coming home from performing at an event, and a car accident happened right in front of me. It looked really bad, so I jumped out to lend a hand. The story below will tell about what happened, but as I was leaving the scene I shot this short video. You can hear the officer speaking to me if you listen closely, an occurrence that’s noted in the story. What happened that n

Hey everyone, I’m excited to announce that I’ve been featured in CanvasRebel Magazine ! For those unfamiliar, CanvasRebel is an inspiring online publication dedicated to shining a light on artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Their popular “Meet” series dives deep into real journeys – the wins, the setbacks, the lessons, and the mindset shifts that help people build sustainable, fulfilling careers in the arts without falling into the “starving artist” trap or chasing unreal

Hey everyone, I know it's last-minute, but if you're looking for the perfect way to spend your Monday evening in Tampa, join me tonight at Cathedral Cigars for a special event hosted by Jack Daniel’s . We'll be providing entertainment for the evening starting at 6pm. Follow this link to RSVP as my special guest. (No benefit to me, just acts as your pass to get in.) Expect a curated selection of premium whiskey, hand-rolled cigars, and live shows in the most beautiful venue

A guide for creatives ready to bet on themselves I’ve heard a few different variations of the same creative block recently, and it goes something like this: “I find it really difficult to work on my show if I’m not certain it’s going to pay off in the end.” It’s a feeling worth examining, because the answer reveals something fundamental about the nature of creative work itself. The Résumé Model Doesn’t Apply Here When you submit a résumé, you understand the deal. There’s a ch

Morning ya'll, What an incredible night we had yesterday! We dove deep into the comedy toolbox and comedic theory, sharing insights on our individual acts and shows. We got real about our goals and objectives as artists, and several of you bravely stepped up to the mic to run material—thank you for your vulnerability and courage. We challenged ourselves to brainstorm fresh, innovative ways to take the stage, then broke down how each approach shifts the room's energy. All grea

The Sword Within: If a sword is calling to you — that deep, quiet pull toward something most people will never attempt — then listen closely. This path isn't about the act itself at first. It's about who you become long before the blade ever touches your lips. Sword swallowing demands absolute command over the mind and body: the ability to silence every instinct, every whisper of fear, every automatic flinch. It's Pratyahara in its rawest form — the fifth limb of yoga, where

I’m absolutely thrilled to share that my inner circle student, duo partner , and one of the hardest-working variety entertainers I know — Noah Royak — just dropped a fantastic feature in CanvasRebel today. Titled “ Meet Noah Royak ,” the article dives deep into Noah’s incredible journey from dreaming of becoming a firefighter to becoming a full-time, globe-trotting variety superstar who is now booking cruises, colleges, fairs, and corporate gigs like crazy. And the best par

This is a heartfelt tribute to the incredible performers, thinkers, teachers, and trailblazers who have shaped my path as a performer, speaker, coach, and teacher. Over more than three decades—starting from my early days with Rootberry through thousands of shows, Guinness records, world championships in juggling, military tours, corporate stages, and my evolution into the "Sword Swallowing Yogi"—I've been profoundly influenced by these individuals. Their courage, innovation,

This Sunday at the SpookyEasy Lounge in Ybor city, I (Bill Berry) will be taking the stage next to a couple of my oldest friends, Alistair & Lilabelle, in their Graveyard Cabaret. Doors open at 7 PM. If you would like to come, visit PGC Productions for details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C9uBkNjRW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

FAQ for mrbillberry.com Micro Farm Q: What is the St. Pete Micro Farm and what happens there? A: The St. Pete Micro Farm is my creative headquarters in Saint Petersburg, Florida—a compact 1/10-acre urban oasis with over 80 species of fruiting trees, shrubs, and more. It’s where I host fire-handling intensives, one-on-one mentorship, comedy writing sessions, and collaborative creative work. We’re currently in construction mode (new construction expected to be complete late 202

I'm hosting a small, focused writing jam at the St. Pete Micro Farm — and I'd love for you to join if you're into comedy crafting. This is a workshop first and foremost. We'll sit together, dissect jokes, break down structure, tighten punchlines, and figure out exactly why something works (or bombs). Bring whatever you're working on: premises you're developing, jokes you're building, soft transitions, half-finished bits, or full routines that need more laughs. There'll be a s

The People’s Champion: Looking Back at IJA Reno 2003 There is a specific kind of magic that happens when a performance stops being a "routine" and starts being a shared experience. In 2003, at the IJA Summer Festival in Reno, Nevada, we felt that magic firsthand. While the technical competitions at the IJA are legendary for their intensity, there is one honor that stands apart: The People’s Choice Award. Why the People's Choice Matters In a room filled with the world’s most e

Before we get to today’s story, I want to give a massive shout-out and a heartfelt thank you to Alan Plotkin. For decades, Alan was the chief videographer for the International Jugglers' Association (IJA), and he has recently begun a monumental project: uploading his vast archive of historic juggling footage to YouTube. These performances were once locked away on VHS tapes, but thanks to Alan, they are now available for the world to see. I encourage you to head over to Alan P

Before we dive into a chapter from my upcoming book, I want to take a moment to acknowledge a true hero of the juggling community: Alan Plotkin. For years, Alan served as the chief videographer for the International Jugglers' Association (IJA), capturing the magic of the championships on VHS. Recently, Alan has performed a massive "video dump" on his YouTube channel , digitizing and sharing historic footage that was previously nearly impossible to find. It is a treasure trove

Hey future reader, My name is Bill Berry, and I was born on December 15, 1976, in Southern California, smack in the tail end of America's Bicentennial glow. The country was still humming from its 200-year birthday fireworks, but the real buzz that winter was Rocky hitting theaters like a knockout punch and Roots reshaping conversations about family, history, and heritage around dinner tables. Computers were these quirky kits for tinkerers—no one imagined they'd become extensi

A Quick Note Before You Read: This is a true story from a cruise I was on—word-for-word what happened over lunch one day. I wrote it down minutes after Josh (our main character) walked away because the interaction stuck with me.I share it not as dating advice or a "how to get girls" playbook, but as a real example of how basic social skills can trip people up—especially young guys who've had limited chances to practice talking to people (women included). Josh dumped a lot of

Somewhere between the Renaissance and the modern TV remote, we lost something. For centuries, learned men and women had studies. Not offices, not man caves — studies. Rooms built around the quiet, relentless pursuit of understanding. Jefferson had one. Darwin had one. Lincoln taught himself law, rhetoric, and geometry by firelight. These weren't people with extra time on their hands. They were people who understood something the rest of us seem to have forgotten: that if you