nik wallenda is american highwire artist and member of the famed flying wallendas circus family. he has been walking the wire since age two and now holds seven world records. in 2008, he set the record for highest and longest bicycle ride across a tightrope. in 2012, he became the first person to successfully tightrope walk directly over niagara falls. the feat aired live on abc who, much to the dismay of wallenda, decided at the last minute that he would have to wear a safety harness for the event.