Episode 54- Professional Mermaiding with The Mermaid Phantom

Forget believing in Santa, let’s talk about mermaids. We are pleased to confirm that these fascinating mythical creatures are real. In fact, we just spoke to one this week.

The Mermaid Phantom travels across the state of Michigan and the globe mermaiding. She’s built up quite a following not only of landlubbers and seamen alike but also has a devoted following of cyber-fans through her YouTube channel and blog.

Based at the tip of the Michigan pinkie, Mermaid Phantom travels across the state and the globe entertaining fans with appearances on land and in the water. She recently packed up her tail and headed off to Singapore for an event.

Being a professional mermaid is no joke, her job involves wearing a 30 lb. dragon skin silicone tail both in the water and on dry land. And yes, she actually swims in it. Additionally, she is legally blind and has very limited vision when she’s navigating the waters and various creatures in them, which has made for some fascinating experiences for sure.

She shared with us her tips of the trade for how to maneuver the tail, travelling with it and how to get it on and keep it on. It’s not an easy feat as you can imagine. She even gave us the dirt on how she cleans the tail and how she swims in it. Kids, keep up that butterfly stroke in swim class. You’re gonna need it.

Mermaid Phantom began her career following a difficult time in her life with health issues. Taking this leap or rather plunge of faith was something that many people would never have the confidence to do, yet she dove right in and has consequently not only built a successful career but also uses her online status to inspire other mermaids looking to launch a career.

She shared with us about working with fans and how to handle some of the more unusual requests and notes she gets through her blog. We, of course, also asked her delicate questions involving crabs, dinglehoppers and if it’s really worth it to give your voice up for a guy. She filled us in on if mermaids have a season and how a mermaid stays warm when she’s put on ice as well as other perils of the job including an overly ‘friendly’ red-eyed fish that followed her incessantly.

Her story, like so many of our guests, was inspirational, fun and thought-provoking. We’re sure in listening you too will start to think about your craziest ideas and passions and if you have the hutzpah to navigate a sea of the unknown to live your best life.

If you’re interested in learning more about Mermaid Phantom, want to pursue mermaiding yourself or would like to hire her for an event, we encourage you to check her out on Instagram and Facebook as well as following her YouTube Channel here and her blog here.

She encourages everyone to see the magic in every day and judging from the faces of kids we’ve seen encounter her she’s definitely doing her part to make that happen.