About Me
Hi, I'm Kayla Mathieu, an aerial coach, workshop instructor, competition judge, performer, traveler, and the founder of Wandering Past Limits.
My aerial journey began in 2017, and I've been coaching since 2019. What started as a personal challenge quickly grew into a passion for helping others discover confidence, strength, and artistry through aerial arts.
Before stepping into the aerial world full time, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and spent more than 15 years working in healthcare, including as a circulating nurse in the operating room. That experience continues to shape my coaching philosophy. I believe great aerial instruction goes beyond teaching skills. By combining anatomy-informed movement with proper technique and progressive training, I help students build strength, improve mobility, and develop sustainable movement patterns that support long-term growth and injury awareness.
My commitment to continued education has always been a priority. I completed aerial silks instructor training through Circus Arts Institute and continue to expand my knowledge through advanced professional development. I am currently the Lead Aerial Hammock Instructor and Studio Support Coordinator at South Dakota Aerial & Arts, where I coach students while also overseeing marketing, digital communications, and studio operations. I am also currently completing my aerial hammock instructor certification as I continue to grow my expertise and provide the highest quality instruction for my students.
One of the greatest gifts aerial has given me is the opportunity to travel. My family and I spent several years exploring all 50 states, and wherever we traveled, I sought out local aerial studios to continue learning, training, and connecting with the incredible aerial community. Along the way, I've trained with respected organizations and studios, including NECCA, Aerial Athletica, Trapeze Las Vegas, Aeris Aerial Arts, and VB Aerial Arts Collective. Every coach, studio, and aerialist I've learned from has helped shape the instructor I am today and broadened my perspective on teaching and movement.
My passion for education naturally led me into judging. I served as a judge for the Dakota Aerial Championship in 2024 and now serve as the Head Judging Coordinator, helping recruit judges, coordinate judging operations, and support the integrity of the competition. In 2026, I was honored to serve as a judge at the Oregon Aerial Fest in Portland, Oregon, further expanding my experience working with athletes and studios from across the country. My goal as a judge is to provide fair, constructive, and educational feedback that helps every competitor continue to grow.
Whether I'm teaching a workshop, coaching a private lesson, judging a competition, performing, or exploring a new destination, my mission remains the same: to help others grow with confidence, embrace new challenges, and discover what lies beyond their limits.