But internationally acclaimed performer Tim Goddard has no regrets about not becoming a lawyer or accountant, because no other job could have taken him to the heights he has seen over the past two decades.
He has performed and taught masterclasses at some of the biggest events around the world, including the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, Fire Drums, Kinetic Fire, Kyiv Fire Festival, Minsk Fire Festival, Flame, and WAFEst.
These days, he works at the School of Fire Art, in Adelaide, where he teaches others how to juggle, spin poi and play with fire as a performance art.
He was one of about 150 people at Camp Waiora over the long weekend for three days of workshops and displays at the Aotearoa New Zealand Juggling and Circus Festival.
Despite being invited to the New Zealand festival to share some of his expertise, he said he was also there to pick up some new skills from other performers at the event.
"I’m still learning — always learning."
The event brought together some of the country’s top jugglers and circus performers, as well as performers from as far away as Australia, the United States and France.
