Being an escape artist requires a ridiculous amount of physical training, especially when we’re talking about strapping on handcuffs and plunging into a tank full of water. But as Kristin Johnson (aka Lady Houdini) points out in the video above, there’s definitely a psychological aspect to performing the death-defying feats she does on a routine basis. The London Free Press spoke with Johnson at the Western Fair in Canada back in September and just recently posted their interview on YouTube. She talks about the amount of work that goes into performing an escape, and the importance of staying calm under extreme danger. Check out the interview above, and visit Johnson’s website for more information on when and where she’s performing next.

Matt Johnson made a name for himself on Penn & Teller Fool Us with his death-defying water-tank escape, and it’s one of the highlights of his act when he tours the world with his magic. Unfortunately, a theater in Surrey, British Columbia has put the kibosh on that part of his upcoming performance in the Canadian city.

In an interview with the Surrey Now-Leader, Johnson explained why Centre Stage Theatre forced him to remove it from his routine:

“I found out about this about five days ago. The (venue managers) in Surrey have made the call that they can’t have the tank in that theatre, because we’re told the stage is a hollow one, and they’re concerned about the weight of the tank and any water that could leak on the stage.”

Part of the reason for the caution might be due to an earlier performance this year on Britain’s Got Talent, where the tank exploded during his rehearsal, flooding the stage with 200 gallons of water.

Johnson still plans on performing for the full 90 minutes of the show, but how he’s going to stretch time out is up in the air, especially since a lot of his routine is scripted.

“I’m actually thinking of playing the Penn & Teller episode with my water escape during the intermission for anybody who wants to see it,” Johnson told the paper. “I haven’t confirmed that with the theatre yet.”

For tickets to the Surrey show, check out the Surrey Civic Theatres, and visit Matt Johnson’s official website for everything else he’s up to.