We had the good fortune of connecting with Kasey Bass and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kasey, how do you think about risk?
As a ninja competitor, skydiver, & circus aerialist, what I love most has clear risks. After having cancer in my twenties, my thoughts about risk changed. Risk is unavoidable, but embracing it and thriving in the face of it is an amazing opportunity. It allows you to learn to trust yourself and surround yourself with brilliant people you would have never met otherwise. I make personal and professional goals now not asking what the safest course is, but what doors I need to open and who can help me open them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an English professor who loves poetry and history, a fashion model, a professional ceramics artist (She’s Trouble Ceramics), and an athlete in love with stunts and extreme sports. In two weeks, I’ll play the lead singing and acting role in a sizzle reel to advertise a new feature musical set in Houston. I’m also a single mom of 5. I don’t think you ever have to be just one thing—I think pursuing what you love and finding balance leads to happiness and opens the door for others to try something they need in their lives. A few weeks ago, I took my 5 kids (under age 10) on a cross-country road trip so I could compete in the National Ninja League World Championship. We trained and played at ninja and parkour gyms along the way and even did the flying trapeze at the Trapeze School of New York. I want our life to be like that—exploring what’s around the next bend and enjoying every new opportunity. For me, being on American Ninja Warrior this year is an amazing example of that.


If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: ninja and parkour training! Iron Sports, Rise at the Warehouse, Sam Sann Warriors—All Star Ninjas
Dinner at Trendy Vegan
Sunset at James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

Day 2: skydiving at Skydive Spaceland, then playing in the wind tunnel at IFly
Dinner at Cascabel
Music at Miller Outdoor Theater

Day 3: museum day! MFAH, Contemporary Arts Museum, Menil
Dinner at Hugo’s
Drinks at NotsuoH

Day 4: circus aerial lessons at Cirque la Vie
Dinner at Chef Kenny’s Vegan Asian Cuisine
Music at Alley Kat

Day 5: hike at Memorial Park, yoga on the Western Glades deck
Dinner at Green Seed Vegan
Shred at Lee & Joe Jamail skate park

Day 6: parkour & art
Parkour at various spots
Houston Art Car Museum
Station Museum of Contemporary Art
Lunch at the Breakfast Klub
Sawyer Yards Art Market
Music at the Big Easy

Day 7: make ceramics on my wheel in my ceramics studio (She’s Trouble Ceramics) & practice on my slackline and indoor obstacle course 🙂
Picnic dinner at Hermann Park—I’ll bring my favorite salad
Music at Anderson Fair
Drinks at Marfreless

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout is dedicated to my kids, Rosie, Sydney, Archer, Dean, & Maddie. They rock the wind tunnel & the ninja, circus, & parkour gyms with me—they make my life as a single mom of 5 a 24/7 party. I’m also grateful to my coaches and gyms—Iron Sports (Josh Salinas), Rise at the Warehouse, Cirque la Vie (Kay Gonzalez & Reyie Delgado), Skydive Spaceland, and IFly (Rory Corrigan).

Website: https://linktr.ee/Kasey.bass

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portalfitnesstx/ Www.Instagram.com/kasey_bass2

Other: https://www.instagram.com/kasey_bass2 https://www.etsy.com/shop/ShesTroubleCeramics https://www.backstage.com/u/kasey-bass/about/?editing=1 https://nicolledhimes.com/collections/silk-scarves-and-beachtowels/products/dancers

Image Credits
Of the additional 4-8 images Image 1: with Rory Corrigan at Skydive Spaceland Image 3: taken by Reyie Delgado at Cirque la Vie Image 8: Photo shoot with Nicolle Dhimes, photographer: Lili Jamail https://nicolledhimes.com/collections/silk-scarves-and-beachtowels/products/dancers

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.