My goal with pole was to become more toned and healthier. I was trying it earlier in Pennsylvania and I loved it. When I moved back to Delaware I stopped practicing and had a break for almost two years, which made me lose most of the muscles and fitness I had built up. I entered a kind of side track in life and totally forgot about taking care of myself and my health.

Once I started to get a hold of my life again, I felt I had to do something about *me*. My health wasn’t good at the time; my lifestyle consisted of a lot of bad food and no exercise. I signed up for the gym -- I went there twice and never went back. I told myself I was gonna go out for a run, but I never went. The only option for me was to go back to pole dance and get this butt off the couch (which I wanted so much) but I guess I was kind of scared to start again after such a long break.

And I’m so happy I made the decision to start pole dancing again! I’m also so thankful that my accountability partners kept me on track and encouraged me to to start PFN in 2014.

Pole Fitness Newark has become my second home. Fellow instructors and the students inspire me to become better everyday I’m in the studio as well as on social media. Even if I have a bad day, like we all do, when I push myself to go to the studio, I will always leave happier than I was before I got there. For me, pole dancing allows me to love myself and my body more than I ever did in the past. It boosts my confidence in many ways, not just body-wise that I’m becoming stronger and more flexible. I also feel I’ve a clearer mind and more positivity in my life. I actually haven’t felt this good in a long time! I know I’m able to do so many different things with just my body with the right practice, and that’s such a satisfying feeling. It is going to take time, as with everything, but I will get there. I just gotta stay focused!

My biggest trouble when I’m dancing is the sweat. Sweat everywhere. It frustrates me a lot when I can’t grip at all some days, not even grip aids work on me sometimes. I don’t have to be ashamed over this in the studio though, in my case I purchased more fans for the studio that helps me a lot. Things like this… small things… that make everything easier to stay on the path of progress is available to all those involved with PFN and we make it a mission get each other the help we need to improve, including ourselves.

Goals for me within the pole world is to become confident enough and able to attend a pole competition one day with my own routine. I also want to be more flexible, to feel I can do moves without feeling that the body is “locked” in a position. That’s why I find it great to have different options for what classes to attend, spin, tease, flex, etc… to get a little bit of everything and which also makes your work out much more fun and exciting. And obviously, to be able to call yourself a pole dancer and be a part of a society with all these amazing women and men with the same interests makes me feel proud!