MACON, Ga. — In honor of Black History Month, 13WMAZ is highlighting Black businesses across Central Georgia.
If you saw The Greatest Showman in theatres and thought, "I wish I could try that," then there is one studio in Macon where you can give it a shot.
At Catapult Movement on Riverside Drive, owner Jessica Thompson says it's never too late to learn a new skill.
"I love people finding out things that they thought they couldn't do and it's so rewarding because I still learn things. I'm still teaching myself skills and I love seeing it with other people where they didn't think they could do a split, they didn't think they could hang upside down on a bar, and then all of a sudden they practice and practice and they get it," Thompson said.
She first wanted to learn dance and acrobatics when she was 14 years old but was told she was too old to start. She says it crushed her spirit but she didn't let it discourage her.
When she turned 18, Thompson taught herself some basic moves and eventually got an official certification to teach classes.
Soon, she opened Catapult Movement. Her goal is to encourage everyone to take the leap and try something new.
The studio teaches acrobatic dance, tumbling and ariel arts like silks, ariel hoop or lyra, flexibility, contortion and more. She says lots of kids come in wanting to do tricks they saw in the hit movie "The Greatest Showman."
"I think it's really good to teach kids things that teach them to be determined and to persevere. It's a really good outlet to have to teach them how to push through things and to work for the things that they want to get," Thompson said.
Anyone who comes to the studio can also learn lessons about confidence and encouraging yourself and others to be their best.
"I love the struggle because I love seeing the reward," Thompson said.
She says her favorite thing to see during classes is when students finally understand their strengths and grow in their skills through practice and hard work.
"And that's one of my favorite things, you never really know where your students are going to end up," she said.
She says the classes are beginner-friendly and no one should be discouraged if they aren't perfect on their first try.
"Everyone has to build strength. No one is born with the amount of strength you need to do these skills. Everyone has to start from somewhere and it doesn't matter where you start from, you can get farther than you think you can. There's always another skill, even experts are learning more things. There's only up if you try," she said.
For Thompson, it is incredibly important people know these classes are not just for littles. She says adult classes are her passion because she learned these skills as an adult and wants others to be encouraged to take on something new.
She says there is no age limit on making your dreams come true.
"That's what discouraged me for so long. I would hear 'Oh, you have to start dance when you're 5, when you're 3. That is not true," Thompson said. "As long as you're willing to try something and keep going for it, you can start at any age. So, that is something I would like the adults to know. Don't give up on yourself, don't give up on your childhood dreams, just try it."
If you want to learn more about Catapult Movement and sign up for classes, you can check out the studio's Facebook page or website.