Toriaaeuphoria
Victoria (Tory) Gonzalez - Florida
@lilly.flicks.photography
Comparison is the thief of joy. Progress comes from practice, not perfection.
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Hi! I’m Victoria (Tory) Gonzalez, though you probably know me as Toriaaeuphoria.
I’ve been hooping for over 15 years, but movement has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up taking ballet, gymnastics, and piano lessons, so music and movement were always my favorite way to express myself. Finding flow felt like everything I loved finally came together.
As someone with autism, hooping has become so much more than a hobby. It’s where I go to regulate, reset, and quiet my brain. I put on my headphones, grab my hoop, and disappear into the music for a while.
Even though hooping has been a huge part of my life for years, I didn’t start sharing it online until 2024. I honestly thought I was just posting videos for fun. I never imagined they’d reach so many people or introduce me to such an incredible community.
The best part isn’t the numbers. It’s hearing that someone dusted off an old hoop or bought their first one because they stumbled across one of my videos.
q & a
I picked up my first hoop around 15 years ago, and I never really put it back down. What started as something fun slowly became part of who I am. I’ve always loved moving to music, and hooping gave me a creative outlet that just clicked.
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What advice would you give to someone just starting their flow journey?
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Slow down.
Seriously.
The trick you’re frustrated with today might end up being your favorite trick a few years from now. Everyone progresses at a different pace, and comparison steals the fun faster than anything else. Celebrate the little wins. Focus on building the muscle memory first. The speed and stability will come. Progress comes from practice, not perfection.
LED hoops. There’s just something magical about seeing movement come to life with light.
Very musical.
If there’s a tiny sound buried somewhere in a song, I’m probably trying to hit it with my hoop. I love making the movement feel like it’s part of the music instead of just happening alongside it.
Honestly? My backyard.
That’s where almost all of the work happens. Headphones on, music up, and repeating the same trick over and over until it finally clicks. Festivals and beaches are beautiful places to flow, but my backyard is where I grow the most.
I love how welcoming it is. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been flowing for two weeks or twenty years. People are excited to help, encourage, and celebrate each other.
The people.
I’ve met some of the most supportive, talented, and genuine people through flow. Complete strangers become friends the second you hand each other a prop. It’s one of the few communities I’ve been part of where people truly want to see each other succeed, and that’s something really special.
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Any flow-related personal successes you’d like to share?
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Becoming a sponsored MoodHoops artist is definitely one of my proudest moments.
My escalators are another one. They’ve kind of become my signature trick, but what people don’t see is that it took me almost 10 years to get them as smooth as they are now. Every time someone tells me they wish they could do them like I can, I smile because I remember being that person too.
The thing I’m most proud of, though, is knowing I’ve inspired other people to start their own flow journey. Every message from someone saying, “I bought my first hoop because of you,” reminds me why I love sharing this so much.
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Are you part of a troupe or performance group?
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Not currently! Most of what I do is independent, but I love collaborating with other artists whenever I get the chance.
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Do you teach, mentor, or create tutorials?
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Not formally, but I love sharing little tips, tricks, and encouragement online. If I can help make someone’s flow journey a little easier, I’m happy to do it.
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Are you part of any local flow communities or gatherings?
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I love attending festivals, flow jams, and community events whenever I can. One of my favorite parts of flow is catching up with familiar faces and meeting new people who share the same passion.
