Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison McIntosh.
Hi Madison, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
STRONGER EVERY TIME
The Origin Story
I started fire dancing while in college at USF St. Petersburg, FL in 2015. It all began when I attended my first rave and saw a girl hula hooping in the back of the crowd and a guy wearing LED gloves along the rail. I didn’t know anything about this but I knew it was for me! I bought my own LED gloves and started to practice so I could give people an epic light show at the next rave. I loved giving light shows – I loved seeing people’s attention totally focused, loved the wonder on their faces, loved blowing their minds, and loved knowing they had a more memorable rave because of the show I gave them.
As I went deeper into the rave scene, I started following @LadyCasa on IG (The OG Rave Queen). She was hosting a “PLUR Warriors meetup” (Peace. Love. Unity. Respect.) in Tampa, so I attended and met other people who did flow arts. They took me under their wing, introduced me to the larger flow arts community, gave me my first hula hoop, invited me to full moon fire jams on the beach, and other fire jams in their own back yards.
While hanging out with this group I quickly realized I was in the minority of those who didn’t dance with fire! I really wanted to gain skills quickly so I could participate in the super cool things they did. With a mix of emotions including hesitation, frustration, and a deep desire, I practiced constantly. Until one brave night during a small back yard fire jam, I lit a staff on fire and officially became a fire dancer!
My adrenaline was pumping and every twirl I thought I was going to hit myself with the fire, but I did not. I danced very slowly with my focus fully on the task at hand. As the fire burned out I felt my sense of safety returning until the air around me was pitch black again. My friends clapped and I sighed a sense of relief for fulfilling this crazy desire of mine.
The Struggle
Practicing fire spinning/fire dancing and flow arts was super fun and I cherished having found a unique talent in this world. I was so enthused by this and eventually found a performance troupe to audition with. I got signed on and started gigging, but the more aspirations I had, the less fun it started to be. Not only did I have no confidence in this new art form of mine, but I started to feel insecure about it too. This showed up in various ways, like cringing when seeing myself on video, seeing my costumes as subpar, not wanting to post my videos online, feeling behind with my skills, and feeling like my interest was not as deep as the boisterous artists I saw online. Comparison is, indeed, the theft of joy. So after about a year and a half, I asked myself if I’m not having fun then what was the point?? I decided to bring myself back to the basics and only play around with flow arts in ways that felt fun and uplifting to me, with no other intent in mind.
A Different Experience
Around this time I moved to Denver, CO and found another creative and physical outlet – aerials! I practiced that for about 2 years, during which I met a group of aerialists and flow artists who occasionally performed at events. The group got hired to perform at a major NYE event and asked me to perform with them. I borrowed one of their LED fans and KILLED IT!!! I still love watching that video of myself to this day!! It was probably the first time I really saw myself dancing, dressed up in costume, and thought “Wow, look at me go!”
I think taking my mental break from flow goals, diversifying my interests, developing new skills, having more time under my belt, and having an encouraging group of people all contributed to my growth and being able to actually appreciate this version of myself.
Career Change
After doing several aerial and flow performances with that group, I decided to step away to focus on expanding my career options. With the support of a life coach, ChatGPT, and SheetResume.com I focused my attention on using my BA in Anthropology and applied to work as an Archaeological Field Technician. I got the job and began working on various projects in the summer including one along the Colorado River and one in Saudi Arabia!
The Need for Dedication
While these projects were epic and unbelievable, I still had the urge to fulfill my creative outlets. While watching the 2024 Summer Olympics, I felt so inspired by what people can accomplish that I decided it was time to take my fire dancing and make something real of it! I decided to dedicate these next 4 years of my life (through 2028 Summer Olympics) to fully pursuing fire dancing. I asked myself, what can I do with 4 years of focus and dedication? What will that look like at the end? I don’t know. But what if I just go all in? Where will it take me? Who knows but I am ready to do it!
The Leap
So one day while it was snowing in Denver, I sat in a coffee shop and reached out to Lady Casa on IG. Yup, the same woman I was inspired and influenced by 10 years ago! She said to give her a call so I did (*insert gasp emoji*)! She gave me a handful of top entertainment companies to reach out to in Miami and the name of a performer who offers 1:1 “how to get started” coaching sessions (IG @Ms.KimKong). I kid you not, 1 week later my husband and I were locking-up our house in Denver for our annual trip to see the family for the winter holidays, looked at each other, and said “we should look for a place to live in Miami.” I had my first call with Kim Kong later that week, told the family on Thanksgiving that we’re moving to FL (they all cried), then started touring apartments!
We moved into a high rise in Miami at the beginning of 2025 and I immediately started attending auditions. We had been coming down to South FL for the last 3 holiday seasons to visit his family so I already had a small network of people and had some performances under my belt from Art Basel. I didn’t land my initial auditions, but with my 4 years of dedication handy, I felt something new. I felt ready, able, and empowered to keep going to auditions, keep putting myself out there, keep attending classes, keep meeting people!! I had self determined ambition and focus. A novel and welcomed feeling for me!
New Levels
I eventually linked up with a group of fire dancers who were preparing to audition to perform for Burning Man’s Conclave. I practiced with them from April through July. The group got accepted but I felt this was not the year for me to attend the giant gathering in the desert. However, it was a great way to hone my skills and it really showed me that not only am I a solid fire dancer but, at age 30, I’m actually a leader now. I helped teach skills to the pods I was in, helped enhance the team’s communication, and helped the team stay accountable. I was actually very surprised by and impressed with myself.
At the same time, the talent companies I had been auditioning for started hiring me to work as a “greeter” (since I’m 5’10” and have modeling experience). Working as a greeter for various companies really pushed me to obtain a lot of materials I didn’t have. I didn’t know this, but a lot of people working with talent groups have a competitive dance background so I basically had to shore up my costume items to make sure I could match their looks. I had none of this to start with so I had to “pay to play”. I purchased pro-level fish nets, hair pieces I never knew existed (half wig), stage ready makeup, about 6 pairs of high heel shoes, and dancer undergarments in 4 different colors.
But now I feel really prepared for booking work in Miami because my look has elevated from “flowmie” to “professional”. And for that, I am very thankful for being shaped by Miami’s demands. I am also thankful for the auditions I didn’t get that pushed me to be better. I am also thankful for those who gave their advice and guidance and, of course, for the auditions and jobs I did get!
Fire Miami
Since I was working a lot as a greeter, but not really as a fire dancer, my husband decided to take action! My husband, being an unmedicated ADHD entrepreneur recently equipped with AI superpowers, decided to build a website for my fire dancing!! And thus, Fire Miami was born!!
Now, I get booked directly to perform at weddings, birthday parties, and corporate events! I love being a fire dancer and performer – I love that it might spark someone else’s curiosity and passion, I love the wonder and awe on peoples’ faces, I love that it brings excitement to an event, and I love making people’s nights more memorable because of the show I gave them.
And I’m eager to elevate to the next chapter of my professional fire dancing journey!
Future Vision
My next dream for myself is to perform as a fire dancer internationally, grow my website in a way that allows other fire performers to get direct bookings too, and start training aerials again. And with 2 years left in my personal “Olympic season”, I think I’m doing pretty good and will likely achieve these goals and more! It scares me!! But with experience and time under my belt, I now know that I can do it.
Last Message
If I have one message to share, I’d say that it is OK to take breaks and step away from things. But if you find they still tug at your heartstrings… do not give up. Go back in and do it again! You will be better and stronger. Do whatever you need to do to make it manageable, but don’t give up on your passions because things do get better with time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in fire dancing shows in the South Florida area. My shows are elegant, engaging, and energizing to the audience! I am known for my captivating movements and proud of the ways I engage with each crowd. Each crowd is different so it is a new experience every time. I set myself apart from others with my punctuality, professionalism, and poise.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Learning to trust myself with the choices I make, trusting what I know I want for myself, and trusting my gut reading on other people has been the best resource over the last few years. People I have paid to receive guidance from have told me not to do something that I knew was right for me. Ignoring the well meant advice of others and follow my own inner knowing has gotten me where I am today. Learning to keep certain aspects of my life to myself until I am solid in them (unshakable in my choice) has also been a big help for keeping my anxiety lower. Some people, as well meant as they are, will always nay-say, and, for me, that is just not helpful for sticking with something. So yeah, trusting myself and letting myself do what I need to do have been big factors for me.
Also, not being afraid to do something alone has been a big one. My last year in Denver I felt really alone in my creative endeavors and was tired of trying to find the “right” group of people. So I said forget that, my vibe will attract my tribe TO ME. I’m going to do what I want to do and those who like it and stick around will be my tribe. I don’t have to find my tribe, they can come to me.
Pricing:
- $600 is my standard rate for fire dancing!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://FireMiami.com
- Instagram: Madi.Mack_
