KALISPELL – World-famous sword swallower Dan Meyer is performing at the Northwest Montana Fair this week.
It’s a crazy show that has to be seen to be believed. But for Meyer, it’s about more than just swallowing swords.
“Yes, sword swallowing is very real, but that’s not what my show is about. It’s about finding your purpose and calling in life. And for me, my purpose and calling is to change the world by inspiring people to overcome their fear and do the impossible in their lives. It’s not necessarily about swallowing swords, it’s about doing the impossible in their lives. And to me, that’s a much bigger deal,” Meyer told MTN.
Kiana Wilson/MTN News
Sword swallowing began in India over 4,000 years ago. Meyer first saw sword swallowing on a missionary trip to India when he was 20 years old. After four years and 14,000 failed attempts, Meyer swallowed his first sword in 2001.
“So one unsuccessful attempt means that I decorated my shoes very heavily. I had to polish my shoes quite often,” Meyer said.
From then on, his career took off and he has performed in 60 countries, holds 40 world records and appeared on over 100 television shows, including America’s Got Talent.
“But that’s the easy part for me, the swords are actually the easy part. It’s about getting my mouth to work and actually impacting people’s lives and hearts and inspiring them to do the impossible in their lives. That’s the hard part,” Meyer said.
Kiana Wilson/MTN News
As a child, Meyer was bullied and suffered from social anxiety. But when he discovered he could do the impossible and swallow a sword, he knew he could change people’s lives.
“It’s about proving to people that you can do the impossible in life. If that scared, shy, skinny Wimpy Kid can do the impossible, then you can too,” Meyer said.
Meyer is the president of the Sword Swallowing Association. Only a few dozen people in the world perform this stunt. Meyer’s show is funny, death-defying and seemingly impossible. But it’s completely real.
“What people don’t know is that when I swallow the sword, I actually have to push my heart to the side. The esophagus surrounds the heart, so I have to push my heart to the left. So if you look really closely, you can see the blade beating with my heart like that. And you can’t fake that,” Meyer said.
Kiana Wilson/MTN News
Meyer has been hospitalized four times for injuries from swallowing swords, but that doesn’t stop him from continuing his show and spreading his message.
“And my goal in life is to reach as many people as possible, not with a sword-swallowing message, but with the message that you can do the impossible in life.”
If you want to see this impossible performance for yourself, Meyer will be performing at the Northwest Montana Fair through Sunday.
For more information about Dan Meyer, visit https://www.cuttingedgeinnertainment.com/.
