The Quest to Reclaim My Blindfolded Juggling World Record
It finally happened. After eight years of holding onto my very first Guinness World Record, it slipped through my fingers like a bean bag tossed too high. I’m talking about the record for the longest duration blindfolded juggling—a record that was as much a part of me as the very hands that kept those balls in the air.
Back in 1993, my uncle handed my brother and me three bean bags in his Seattle warehouse. Those bags were the seeds that grew into a forest of hours—close to 10,000—dedicated to the art of juggling. By 2015, I was ready to prove I could be the best in the world at something. My target: the Guinness World Record for the fastest 800m run while juggling. Despite two years and 2,000 miles under my belt, a knee injury forced me to pivot. That’s when I realized I could almost juggle the basic 3-ball cascade blindfolded.
In October of 2015, I stood before 300 people and surpassed the standing record of 6 minutes 29 seconds with a new time of 6 minutes 34 seconds. The crowd erupted, and in my excitement, I nearly fumbled it all. But I held on, and over the years, I pushed that record up to 32 minutes 7 seconds.
But now, an Australian has toppled my record with an 43 minutes and 30 seconds. I tip my hat, but I’m not one to back down. That record has my name written all over it, and I intend to claim it back.
My recent triumphs have set the stage for this comeback. Breaking the record for the longest duration juggling at 13 hours 10 minutes has primed me for this moment. I’ve juggled on balance boards, Swiss balls, unicycles—you name it, I’ve juggled on it. And let’s not forget the fastest mile run while juggling blindfolded in 7 minutes 54 seconds.
A few more weeks of practice, and I’ll be ready to face the challenge head-on.
1 hour 3 minutes 4 seconds later and I dropped a ball ending the successful attempt.
Fun Facts About Blindfolded Juggling:
The art of blindfolded juggling dates back over 2,300 years, with ancient Chinese warriors juggling seven swords while blindfolded.
It’s not just a skill; it’s a competitive sport with its own niche in juggling festivals and conventions.
Juggling blindfolded isn’t just for show—it enhances brain function, memory, spatial awareness, and mental imagery.
As an art form, it can be both dramatic and comedic, adding layers of entertainment to the performance.
And who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll be juggling torches without seeing them.
🤹♂️🏆