Life & Work with Orissa Kelly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Orissa Kelly.

Hi Orissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a professional foot archer! It’s definitely not your average job title… Growing up in England, I was a competitive gymnast and at the age of 17, I decided to stop working for medals and start working for the circus! I fell in love with aerial silks (the long pieces of silk that hang from the ceiling and acrobats twirl down from) and within six months of training, I was performing at small events. It was hard to get work because not many venues could allow for this apparatus and deep down, I wanted to do something even more unique. I had spent so much of my life competing that one day decided – why be the best when you could be the only one? I wanted an act so different that no one else in the world could compare to me. I had seen a silly YouTube video of a girl shooting a kid’s toy bow and arrow with her feet and thought it would be really amazing (and crazy) if I could do it with a real bow and arrow! I went to a local hunting store, picked up a bow and arrow (with no previous archery experience) and I went to a local cricket field in England and started training, every day six hours a day for six months until I had one successful shot. Originally I had hoped for one extra gig per month but as my act progressed and took off, it became my full-time career and took me all over the world. It has been my career and passion ever since!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I began my archery career, I had no knowledge whatsoever – no teacher (because who is going to teach you that!) and no place to train. I ended up training in a cold cricket field over the winter in England. My toes would get so cold they would go numb and I still managed to hold the bow with my feet! I was trying something that had never really been done before so I didn’t even know if it was possible – every day I kept telling myself ‘aim for the impossible and you’ll achieve the incredible’, six months of failing, of pain and frustration I finally hit my target (a bullseye with my feet at 42 feet) and from that moment on I knew it was possible. Now when I work in TV and experience some of my best achievements, I appreciate it more because I went through so much to get there. I always say – appreciate the challenges in the beginning because the struggle always becomes the best part of your success story.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a professional foot archer – and one of very few people in the world with this job title! I created a unique act which involves me shooting a bow and arrow from a variety of acrobatic positions, including from my feet in handstand. I can also shoot with fire arrows and using my teeth, both hands and feet! I usually perform my act at events (from business corporate events to The Queen of England’s tea party!) and I also perform stunts in films and TV, including the Hollywood Blockbuster ‘Wonder Woman’.

I was recently performing alongside Snoop Dogg on ‘The Go Big Show’.

What’s next?
The crazy thing about my career is that I never really have any plans. I certainly never planned to grow up and be a foot archer! I love to be open to whatever life throws my way and as a result, I believe the sky is the limit. I moved to Nashville during the pandemic (I’m actually half English and half American, but very bloody English!) and somehow managed to still perform and make a living doing what I love. It’s been a journey to re-establish myself on an entirely different continent especially during a time when half the world is shut down. But over the years, I’ve learnt that with enough dedication and persistence, you can always hit your target – I will always keep aiming for the impossible. Now, as things are starting to pick up in the USA, you could say I’m living my American dream!

Contact Info:

• Email: info@orissakelly.com
• Website: https://orissakelly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orissakelly/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@orissakelly?lang=en