If the Big Top has any cred today, it’s all thanks to Cirque du Soleil.

With its artistic direction and nutty gymnastics, the Montreal-based company has been doing wonder’s for the circus’ image. Since 1984, it’s replaced the top-hatted ringmasters and lion tamers of yesteryear with acrobatics, live music, and nuanced plots.

This behind-the-scenes clip of Cirque acrobat Oli Lemieux practicing on a trampoline wall gives an idea of the caliber of performers in Cirque du Soleil’s crew. Lemieux’s act, for the company’s record-grossing Dralion tour, is just too much.

Make sure to watch to the end: Oli’s flips get progressively sicker as the video goes on.

Community Connection

Get a glimpse of what the final act looks like in the Dralion trailer, on Cirque de Soliel’s website.