Daniel Browning Smith, also known as The Rubberboy (born May 8, 1979),
is an American contortionist, actor, television host, comedian, sports
entertainer, and stuntman, who holds the title of the most flexible
person in history, owning a total of seven Guinness World Records.
Smith owes his flexibility to the genetic condition hypermobile
Ehlersâ€"Danlos syndrome.Smith was born and raised in Meridian,
Mississippi, United States. He has one sister and one brother. He was
inspired by contortionists since the age of four, giving him the dream
of becoming the world's best one. At this time, Daniel began to jump
off the top bunk bed and land in a straddle split, much to the
amazement of his family. Later, in his teen years, he began street
performing with this technique to attract people's attention. When
Smith turned 18, he joined the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus before
beginning contortion training under Master Lu Yi at the San Francisco
School of Circus Arts.The remarkable flexibility that Smith possesses
is due to a genetic condition known as hypermobile Ehlersâ€"Danlos
syndrome or hEDS, one of thirteen types of Ehlersâ€"Danlos syndrome.
Those affected by this condition often have extremely mobile joints
which are vulnerable to dislocation and skin which is easily bruised.
While many people with hEDS have severe muscle and bone pain alongside
a range of autonomic nervous system and endocrine problems, Smith
experiences only moderate pain.
is an American contortionist, actor, television host, comedian, sports
entertainer, and stuntman, who holds the title of the most flexible
person in history, owning a total of seven Guinness World Records.
Smith owes his flexibility to the genetic condition hypermobile
Ehlersâ€"Danlos syndrome.Smith was born and raised in Meridian,
Mississippi, United States. He has one sister and one brother. He was
inspired by contortionists since the age of four, giving him the dream
of becoming the world's best one. At this time, Daniel began to jump
off the top bunk bed and land in a straddle split, much to the
amazement of his family. Later, in his teen years, he began street
performing with this technique to attract people's attention. When
Smith turned 18, he joined the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus before
beginning contortion training under Master Lu Yi at the San Francisco
School of Circus Arts.The remarkable flexibility that Smith possesses
is due to a genetic condition known as hypermobile Ehlersâ€"Danlos
syndrome or hEDS, one of thirteen types of Ehlersâ€"Danlos syndrome.
Those affected by this condition often have extremely mobile joints
which are vulnerable to dislocation and skin which is easily bruised.
While many people with hEDS have severe muscle and bone pain alongside
a range of autonomic nervous system and endocrine problems, Smith
experiences only moderate pain.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.