They Do That for a Living?

Viewers held their breath as Nik Wallenda crossed the Grand Canyon on a thin wire. Wearing no harness, he could have fallen to his death if he made a single mistake. Daredevils such as Wallenda make their living performing dangerous stunts. They risk their lives to push the limits of what humans can accomplish while huge audiences watch their every move. Part of the series They Do That for a Living?, Daredevils explores the history of this unusual career, what it takes to join it, and some of the most astounding stunts that daredevils have successfully completed.

Voice-over artists can be heard in commercials, cartoons, and many other forms of advertising and entertainment. These performers use their voices to bring attention to upcoming movies, to tell customers about products, and to bring fictional characters to life. Many of these artists have a natural talent for voice work. Others have undergone extensive training to become skilled at this unique art form. Part of the They Do That for a Living? series, Voice-Over Artists explores this unusual career and some of the most popular voices in the field of voice work today.

Information is one of the biggest businesses in the world today, even among criminals. People called hackers have been around for decades. They break into computer systems to steal private information. They then use it for their own financial gain. Other people also make their living by hacking. But they do it legally. Professional computer hackers use their skills to keep others from becoming the victims of criminal hackers. Part of the series, They Do That for a Living?, Professional Computer Hackers explores the history of this unusual career, what it takes to join it, and where professional hacking is headed in the future.

With about one million new books released each year, writing has become a very popular profession. Novelists, experts in numerous fields, and even celebrities are behind some of the most popular books on the market today. But many of the so-called authors didn't actually write their own books. Ghostwriters step in when a person who wants to write a book lacks the time or the knowledge to get the job done. Part of the They Do That for a Living? series, Ghostwriters explores this unusual career and some of the most popular ghostwritten books that have made their way onto best sellers lists in recent decades.

The word hippotherapy makes many people unfamiliar with it think of hippos. But hippotherapy is done with a horse, not a hippopotamus. Several types of therapists use this unique form of therapy to treat patients from the back of a horse! Learning how to use hippotherapy to treat patients takes a lot of time and hard work. But many caregivers and patients alike see the benefits it can provide. Part of the series They Do That for a Living?, Hippotherapy: Using Horses for Healing explores the history of this unusual career and what it takes to become a therapist who uses hippotherapy.

Spoken word poetry has a long history both in the United States and far beyond its borders. Oral traditions have been part of numerous cultures. Today, some people make a living as slam poets. Competing in poetry slams can be a rewarding experience. It may even lead some poets to full-time careers as poets, authors, or teachers. Part of the series They Do That for a Living?, Slam Poets explores the history of this unusual career, what it takes to join it, and where it can take participants in the future.