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Lisette Krol is founder and head instructor at Tribal Fitness Dance Studio in Dublin. Lisette was runner up in the Elite category at UKPPC in 2013, and with her partner Terri Fierce is World Pole Sports champions 2013 and World Pole Dance and Fitness champions 2014.

REVVED UP POLE: How did you get started on your pole journey, and what made you decide to start instructing and competing?

LISETTE KROL: I started my journey in Venezuela as part of company that did events, theatre and performances. I learned to stand on peoples shoulders there. When I moved to Dublin, I was choreographing and dancing for Gay Pride, and met Terri there. We swapped skills and I showed her Acro and she showed me Pole – the perfect match for doubles pole. I love everything that makes you exercise, especially if it is upside down.

RUP: You were runner-up in the Elite category of UKPPC 2013, and doubles champion alongside your partner Terri Fierce in the World Pole Dance Championships 2014. How did the training and competing experience differ? Which do you prefer?

LK: They are both so different. I love doubles a lot as you can create so many crazy figures, loads of dancing, acro and we have so much fun. We learned to use our strengths to create new things. And I think we become really powerful when we are together. But I love solos too, as I can put my signature and favourite tricks in a routine that is my own style. I think I try to do both as much as I can. I love competing as it makes me train harder, get stronger and I looooove creating new performances. I love being on stage!

RUP: The music for your routines is so unique. How do you choose the pieces for your performances?

LK: Loads of hours on YouTube – and we have the amazing Mark who mixes our music the way we want it.

RUP: You radiate such an aura of energy and strength during your performances which is incredibly inspiring. Who, either in the pole world or outside of it, inspires you?

LK: Well I started pole following people like Zoraya Judd, Jenyne Butterfly, Felix Cane and Marlo Fisken. But I have so many new pole heroes like Bendy Kate, Alex Shchukin, Evgeny, Carlie Hunter… oh god the list is massive… But outside pole deffo my MOM is a strong inspiration – hard working and always following my career even if I’m really far away. Thanks Facebook and WhatsApp lol.

RUP: Do you have a ‘nemesis’ move, either now or at the start of your pole career?

LK: I think when I get more bendy I would love to get the rainbow marchenko. There’s so many moves that I think I haven’t discovered yet.

RUP: What are your three favourite pole moves and why?

LK: Anything with handsprings, drops and doubles tricks – I love strength with a bit of flexibility in it.

RUP: Who is your ultimate pole idol? And how does it feel to have achieved pole idol status yourself?

LK: Wow I still don’t feel like a Pole Idol… to me there are bigger names in the pole community. But I love what I do. I really love Zoraya Judd, I think I’ve watched her videos millions of times and she really makes me love Pole.

RUP: I’ve heard of dancers who use shaving foam on their legs for grip, and superglue on callouses…do you have any secret pole dancing tips you can share with your fans?

LK: I don’t do any pole if I don’t warm up for at least 15 minutes. My skin just doesn’t stick, so it’s an awesome way to train healthy. I use iTac when I’m performing only, and Dry Hands.

RUP: You clearly train very hard. What do you do to relax?

LK: I find it hard to relax – I guess I have too much energy. I stay focussed on what I do. But I love seeing my friends, playing with my dog and going for dinner somewhere, especially to a sushi place.

RUP: Do you have any messages for your students and those you inspire?

LK: Train hard, eat right, don’t miss classes, point your toes, straighten your legs (knees in) and especially believe that you can do it. I’m not lying-  if I can do it, you can do it.

COPYRIGHT CLAIRE PYATT, REVVED UP POLE

March 2012

Pole dancing is hard. Really hard. It’s another reason I get annoyed when it isn’t taken seriously as a sport, because it isn’t about tarting around in hotpants. It requires strength and cardio fitness, and it hurts. And concentration, as it turns out. This is particularly at the forefront of my mind today as I spent most of yesterday in A&E.

In comedy films, A&E departments are full of children with saucepans stuck on their heads, or men who “fell over” whilst vacuuming naked, but I had no such entertainment. Instead, I had a child vomiting onto Chelsea FC blanket, a poor woman sobbing in a dressing gown and most of the cast of Jeremy Kyle. On the other hand, those people are probably writing blogs today about their trips to A&E, where four girls in matching shorts and vest tops burst in, giggling loudly as one of them hopped to reception and was forced to shout through the reinforced glass “I think I’ve broken my foot. How? Pole dancing”.

When executing advanced moves on the pole, there is always a degree of danger; you could be hanging upside down by one leg, or holding on with the crook of your elbow with your legs nowhere near the pole. Obviously, you are extremely careful – and when I’m teaching, I always, always say: you know if you are ready to do this, you know if it feels safe. If you don’t feel ready or safe, then don’t do it. But then there are simple moves, things you have done a thousand times over, without even thinking, in the same way you are careful climbing on a table to change a light bulb, but don’t think twice about walking to the bin to throw the old one away. This, I have discovered, is how accidents happen – a slightly awkward angle as I landed a cartwheel dismount, and my 5th metatarsal (made famous by David Beckham in the 2002 World Cup) snapped like a twig. It sounded like a twig snapping anyway. Two of the girls in my class nearly threw up on the spot.

After reporting to A&E, I was put in a wheelchair like the one the killer glues the journalist to in Red Dragon. It was huge and heavy and old fashioned and of course my friends wheeled me about saying things like “come on dearie, let’s get you a nice cup of tea.” The rest of the waiting room did not look amused.

When explaining to the nurse that I had injured myself on the pole, she gave me a long, hard stare that was heavy with disapproval and disgust. Surely she deals with worse than that on a Friday night? A man on the other side of  the curtain sniggered. Then she cast her eyes over the clothing the four of us were wearing, bearing the pole school logo, and said “ah, I get it, a fitness class, right? Oh well that’s OK then”.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Obviously your approval was the first thing on my mind, after extreme pain, loss of earnings and my potentially thwarted career. I didn’t say anything though, in case she didn’t give me the really good heavy duty pain killers.

My friends wheeled me to the X ray suite (not as grand as it sounds, there was no mini bar for starters. Apparently there are suites in Las Vegas hotels that have poles in the showers. How stupid is that? You’d just slip straight off. You’d break more than a metatarsal) and waited outside (“we’ll be right here” they said helpfully, “right by these chairs”).

I was distracted in the X ray suite by strange black devices on the wall. Alongside them was a poster which informed me they were “gonad protectors” and came complete with instructional diagrams. I wanted to take a photo on my phone but thought it might be pushing things and I’d already had plenty of dirty looks. When I told my friends (who had, indeed, waited right by those chairs) they didn’t believe me, they said they thought “gonads” was a slang word made up by Viz magazine. I will definitely try to get a picture next time.

When I was called back in for the X ray results, the nurse told me my lapse of concentration, my quirk of fate, a slight twist of the foot, is the reason I am now out of pole action for 8-12 weeks. I cried – and I never cry. That news hurt more than when the bone snapped. Not only that, but I have a pole photo shoot coming up, at which I shall be able to strike poses on the floor but not much else. Not only will I look like a crap pole dance instructor, but all the abstaining from alcohol and McDonalds in preparation was a waste of time.

So – here I am. I can’t walk, I can’t drive, I certainly can’t train and I can’t teach. I can, however, watch YouTube and do research, and I can do flexibility exercises and stretches. So I will be back, better and stronger than ever. Every cloud. At least it wasn’t my ankle. Or leg. Or arm. Or anything else really. And at least it was me and not one of my students. Though I don’t think any of us will be doing cartwheels any time soon.

COPYRIGHT BEXIITA, REVVED UP POLE

We caught up with the UK’s own home-grown talent and Revved Up Pole favourite Jess Leanne Norris. Starting pole at the age of 15, Jess went on to be crowned Miss Pole Dance UK 2011/12 and is known for her friendly and fun masterclasses. Recently moving away from teaching at her JLN studios in Bolton, we chat to her about changes in her career, Britain’s Got Talent and sleeping in her crown.

REVVED UP POLE: So there have been some fairly dramatic developments in your career very recently. What’s new? What has the reaction been to these developments?

JLN: Yes there have been a few changes recently… I’ve chosen to take a step back from teaching at the JLN studios as I’d like to travel more – performing and teaching my master classes. Everyone has been so supportive! It was a hard decision to make as I do miss all my students at the studios but I know that they’re still getting the best training at JLN and hope they all keep at it and hope to see them at one of my masterclasses soon. I would also like to thank everyone on Facebook for all their help and support recently, I’ve been completely overwhelmed and still am now! It really does mean a lot to me.

RUP: So taking it right back to the very beginning: How did you first become interested in pole dancing?

JLN: I started pole at 15 with my mum. We were looking for a new hobby to try out and came across a YouTube video of Felix Cane winning Miss Pole Dance Australia 2006. I was in complete AWE! We got a pole and stuck it up in the front room. Every night as soon as I’d get home from school we’d be on it together just spinning round having fun, not really knowing what to do. Never did I think that I’d get so addicted and that it would take over my life! Ha!

RUP: One of the things you are known for is your incredible flexibility. What advice would you have for us regular non-bendy types for increasing flexibility?

JLN: When I started pole I had very little flexibility, couldn’t do the splits or be able to pull my foot towards my head but as I progressed in my pole ability my flexibility increased too. Once I got to the more difficult positions it encouraged me to stretch off the pole too, to help improve my flexibility quicker. I stretch every time I pole so mainly everyday but some days I will push myself that bit further. I always make sure I warm up properly doing aerobic exercises and dynamic stretches before stretching deeper to prevent injuries.

RUP: What are you three favourite pole moves?

JLN: I’m not too sure which three moves to say that are my favourites as there are so many! But I do love demonstrating the ‘Alana’, ‘Rainbow Marchenko’ and the ‘Twister’ (no handed cradle spin).

RUP: Do you ever feel demotivated,and if so, what do you do to get motivated again?

JLN: There have been moves that I’ve struggled with yes but I never gave up on them! Nothing is impossible! Just some moves take longer to achieve than others. When I feel demotivated its usually because my body is telling me to have a break so I usually take a couple days off away from the pole and do something else I enjoy doing like Thai boxing to keep me fit in the meantime. While I’m off I usually think of a new move I’d like to try out or hear a song I’d like to dance to that gets me motivated again.

RUP: Who is your pole idol? And how does it feel now knowing that you have become a pole idol yourself?

JLN: From the beginning Felix Cane has always been one of my idols as her video got me started. Since then I love watching Jenyne Butterfly and Dominic Lacasse! I have always been completely self taught but I did have the pleasure of having a private session with Dominic last year. It was great to meet him. Now knowing I’m inspiring people as well really is overwhelming!

RUP: What would you say is your career highlight?

JLN: As soon as I turned 18 I entered my first pole competition and got crowned Miss Pole Dance UK 2011/12. That was the best day of my life. It was a complete dream come true! I even slept with my crown on that night ha!

Jess takes the crown at MPD

RUP: If time, distance and money were no object, what would be your idea day?

JLN: My ideal day would to be able to pole play with my pole idols… Perform on stage with one of my favourite artists like Emeli Sande, Ellie Goulding, Leona Lewis then to be able to chill by having a full body sports massage – heaven!

RUP: You are known for your beautiful and perfectly executed performances. Do you have any pre-performance rituals or traditions?

JLN: Before I perform I always get really nervous and my hands start to sweat so then I get even more nervous! As soon as my routine is over I always want to get up and do it again there and then! Performing in front of an audience gives me such a big buzz! On the days I know I’m performing I always stretch for an hour at some point during the day to prepare my body and then half an hour/hour before I warm up again and stretch myself to my limit whilst listening to my routine song to get me in my little bubble. When performing all I think about is me, my pole and the music. As soon as my music starts I fall into my own little world and forget everyone is there. I like to pick songs that I can tell a story to.

Earlier this year I auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, wanting to show people that pole is an art on live stream TV. When I auditioned I got four “Yes”s from the judges and a standing ovation at the London Palladium! The judges’ comments were amazing and Simon Cowell told me: “I want to see pole dancing in the Olympics, and from that performance you would have won gold”. Unfortunately I didn’t get selected to go through to the semi finals but it was a great experience and I loved it.

RUP: Do you have a message for your students and and those who admire you?

JLN: If I wanted to say anything to all the polers out there it would be to keep it FUN! Never to get frustrated with a move as there are so many moves out there to practice and ones yet still to be created! I’ve met so many lovely people along my pole journey so far and very much looking forward to meeting plenty more to share my love for pole with.

COPYRIGHT BEXIITA, REVVED UP POLE

NADIA SHARIF

We spoke to LA based Nadia Sharif about doubles pole moves, pole icons and dancing in THAT pole dancing video.  Dancing since 2007, competing since 2008, teaching since 2009, and performing doubles since 2010, Nadia is National Aerial Pole Art Champ 2012, California Pole Dance Champ 2012 and USPDF Pro, as well as an official X-Pole girl and Bad Kitty Ambassador.

REVVED UP POLE: How did you get started in pole dancing, and what made you want to start competing and instructing?

NADIA SHARIF: I fell in love with pole dancing from watching Felix Cane on YouTube. I saw her and knew I had to try it! I actually auditioned for my first competition in 2008 at Xpolesitions. I didn’t think I was good enough to compete but wanted to audition only to see what a real pole studio looked like, since I had : only been pole dancing in my room learning from YouTube. The competition actually accepted me as top 10, after only having pole danced for 6 months and later asked me to start teaching there. So I sorta fell into it.

RUP: You are known for your doubles pole work with your pole partner Mina. How does doubles pole training differ from the usual pole training, and would you say doubles work is a whole different discipline?

NS: Doubles is completely different! The most difficult part is decision making on tricks, choreo and visions. It’s like being married, everything is “we”. Doubles is still fairly new, so everything is experimental, which is the best and worst part of doubles. Mina is an amazing partner and I couldn’t imagine myself working with anyone else.

RUP: How do you choose the music for your competitive pieces?

NS: Choosing music is the most difficult part! I just listen to a million songs and imagine myself moving to the music… when I get inspired by a piece of music that’s when I know I found my song.

RUP: You feature in the “infinite pole dance” video for Diplo’s Set It Off (one of our fave videos of all time – watch it here).What can you tell us about filming that? Is it true the pole wouldn’t spin so somebody had to lay on the floor and spin it by hand??

NS: It is true, we had a pole spinner at the bottom! The pole did spin, but it couldn’t keep a spin very long, and since we had someone at the bottom it wasn’t easy for us to get off and on, especially with heels on! We had to stay aerial for the shoot since they needed empty pole at the top and bottom, which was difficult. We couldn’t go too high or too low. We filmed it very quickly, no more than 20 minutes of filming per girl. We never saw anyone else shoot, just one girl at a time.

RUP: Did you know how amazing the video would look post production?

NS: They told us they were going to make an “infinite” pole, but I don’t think anyone of us knew exactly what that would end up looking like.

RUP: Who is your ultimate pole idol? And how does it feel to be the rising star of the industry and achieving pole idol status yourself?

NS: My number one idol is Felix Cane. She is the reason I began pole dancing and installed a pole from Ikea in my room – well it actually wasn’t a “pole” it was a piece of a closet rod! Haha! My pole life has been unbelievable! I remember watching so many amazing people on YouTube, like Karol Helms and Pantera, and now I am all over YouTube. When people say they love watching me on YouTube I get such a strange realization go through my head because I remember how I was, always on YouTube watching girls and thinking how amazing they are. It is beyond a dream come true! I would have never thought pole dancing would change my life the way it has.

RUP: What are your three favourite pole moves and why?

NS: My favourite moves are ALWAYS changing but right now I’m really into flares and twists. So with that said, my favourite moves are the swizzle stick, Chinese Phoenix and Chinese flares into pinup… These are my favourite moves that I came up with but my favourite moves that are great on others are Felix’s ballerina, Felix’s spatchcock and Jenyne’s straddle to tumble combo.

RUP: Were there any particular moves you struggled with?

NS: I still struggle with moves! I never felt good in a twisted grip, which is a VERY popular pole move. But because I struggled with it, I worked heavily on my Chinese/cup grip and developed two moves with the much lesser used Chinese grip. I am proud to say I made up the “Chinese pop” which is the elbow grip Ayesha to Chinese/cup and the Chinese Phoenix.

RUP: A pole dancer once told me she rubs champagne on her legs for better grip on the pole. Do you have any secret pole dancing tips or tricks to share with us?

NS: I use shaving cream on my body for brass poles. For chrome, a little iTac behind the knee pit and dry hands for my palms.

Copyright BEXIITA REVVED UP POLE

At Revved Up Pole, we are interested in the personalities behind the big pole names – how did these pole icons start on their personal pole journeys and what is the personality behind the amazing performer we all know so well? As part of our series of interviews with true icons of pole, we caught up with pole star Michelle Stanek. Michelle has won 5 out of 6 competitions she has entered and is the 2012-2013 United States Pole Dance Champion. When she is not touring, Michelle lives in New York City and works at Body & Pole. Prior to her full-time pole dance career, she was a program curator and art history professor.

REVVED UP POLE: How did you first become interested in pole dancing and make the switch from professor to pole instructor?

MICHELLE STANEK: in 2008, my co-worker at AIGA, fellow-lifelong-dancer and friend was a member of Crunch Gym and coerced me into coming to this “pole dance” class she had been taking on Friday nights. I went. I was horrible. I slipped, fell, collapsed and got really frustrated. But I knew I could be good one day! Plus we all were having so much fun! The teacher was Kyra Johannesen. I went back every week. Then twice a week, three times and more. Kyra saw my potential and hired me as a teacher at Crunch. I was ecstatic to be teaching something I loved in a great, positive, fitness environment. Then at the end of 2009 I got laid off from my job as a program director/curator. It was a shock. But clearly a blessing! To make ends meet, I started picking up more classes, training, competing and before I knew it, pole dance turned into a full-time career. Once pole took over, I didn’t have the time to teach Art History anymore. I taught one class/semester. It was a 3 hour lecture class once/week but required about 20 hours/week of prep work. I do miss it sometimes. I also miss having my stripper shoes next to my museum lecture and grade book in my bag!

RUP: You have an extensive academic background and are renowned for your beautiful choreography and execution – do you feel that your passion for art is a contributing factor in your artistry in poling and choreography?

MS: Thank you! My academic background obviously had a huge influence in my Pole Art 2012 (Michelle’s piece, a highly sexualised and artistic routine, was inspired by the sculpture “The Ecstasy Of St Theresa”). Having studied and taught Art History for years, I think I just have my eye open to any possible inspiration. I also obsessed and wrote my thesis on a tiny detail in a painting that unlocked many insights and now I obsess about the tiny details in the choreography. Big canvas, lots of paint, sure. 4 minute piece, lots of tricks, sure. But having the viewer say, “Wait, what was that little thing or moment? THAT was beautiful.” That’s what mattes to me in all art. That, and composition. The composition of a painting, song, film, poem is very important to its effectiveness and its reception. It’s the same with [pole] dance. How you compose a piece requires a lot of thought.

RUP: Have you ever been inspired on the pole by a particular work of art?

MS: Pole Art 2012 was inspired by “The Ecstasy of St. Theresa,” by Bernini. It’s an Italian Baroque sculpture that I adore. And the story behind it is revolutionary and sexual – perfect for pole! It was St. Theresa, a nun, experiencing an intense orgasm. But to her, it was her communion with God via an angel and his “spear.” (Watch the performance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV-LRsnplQY

RUP: You are known for your clean lines and extensions and perfect execution – does this come naturally to you? And how do you pass this on to your students – is it a case of shouting “point your toes!” from the start?!

MS: Yes, it comes naturally to me. And I am thankful everyday for my many years of ballet training! I have cultivated my lines, extension and form from an early age. So I honestly never have to think about pointing my toes or straightening my legs. I know they will always be. My dance teacher as a teenager used to walk with a cane and if you didn’t keep your leg up and perfectly extended….well, you just wouldn’t do that! I did NOT adopt that tactic in my classes! But I have a few exercises that allow each student to think about *how* they point their feet, focusing on their quads, knees, calves, arch and toes.

I also talk a lot about alignment. Proper alignment is not only prettier, but it makes your more stable and stronger and you have to work less! Think about when you are 70% of the way to a butterfly—it’s hard! But once you push all the way and your body is stacked in proper alignment…ahhhh! You can relax there. You are stable and strong there.

I also use the mirror a LOT. I will have a student hold the position, then give them simple verbal cues like “engage your quad,” “press your leg down,” “engage hamstring and kick your butt,” “point your toe,” “drop your hip,” “open your chest,” etc. As they make these corrections and SEE the huge difference it makes in their alignment, its always a major “A-ha!” moment that sticks.

RUP: Describe your training schedule:

MS: Well, here is the *ideal* schedule. I like to take 2-3 pole class/week that are Intermediate – Advanced. Being a student is the best thing I can do for myself. Of course I train alone or jam with my friends 1-2 times per week too, but I am so much more focused and successful in class. I love being a student! I also take 2-3 flexibility classes/week. Outside Body & Pole, I like to take contemporary dance classes. Dancing free from a pole is liberating, makes me find my centre and also provides me with unique movement vocabulary you don’t usually find in a pole class. I also LOVE Spin classes. I try to do that once a week. I love the pure cardio, sweat and visualization time. If I have time, I do a lower body workout as well. When I am choreographing, I can spend anywhere between 5-20 hours/week holed up alone in the studio driving myself crazy, obsessing over minute details of movement!

RUP: What do you find most rewarding about pole dancing/instructing?

MS:  I think being a “Teacher” is one of the most fulfilling roles one can have. Being a part of someone’s growth and development is priceless. Whether I am teaching art history, pole dance or a craft, someone is learning a new skill or gaining knowledge that they can use in life because of me. And I can’t imagine anything greater.

Dancing makes me feel complete. It defined me as a teenager and in college. I went years without it as an adult as I focused on a more “reliable” and academic career. That turned out to be not reliable at all! I didn’t start pole until I was 28. And even though I danced my whole life, it wasn’t until my 30s that I could actually call myself a dancer by profession. Because of pole, now life makes sense again, because I am doing something I love.

RUP: What are your three favourite moves?

MS: Three!? This changes all the time. I always love the Jade. I love the Full Moon and Juliette spin right now. But ask me in a month and I promise my answers will be different! My favourite part of pole dance might actually be the floor work, spins and transitions in between them. That’s where I feel the most creative.

PR: Were there any particular moves you struggled with?

MS: Umm…ALL of them! WHY can’t I do a brass monkey press?! WHY?? I hate that move. It’s my least favourite. I also have to work very, very hard at my lumbar spine flexibility. So any move that requires that kind of back flexibility, well, it might take me a few more months to get it!

RUP: Do you ever feel demotivated? And what do you to to feel motivated again?

MS: Oh, yes. These factors are demotivating: Cold weather and lack of inspiring music. When it’s cold, my body is stiffer and sometimes I don’t even want to bundle up and step outside. Living in New York, I walk everywhere, so it’s a process! But to get motivated again, it’s just ONE step out the door. Just go. Go to the gym for a workout, go to the studio just to freestyle, go to class, go buy healthy groceries for the week. Just GO! Music, gah. If I have nothing I am imagining a routine to or just a song I can dive into for fun, I’m lost. So, I start to listen to the music in movies and tv shows or ask friends for their top 5 songs. And go from there.

RUP: You have obviously reached the heights of pole idol yourself, but who would you say is your pole idol?

MS: Marlo Fisken. She has it ALL: Extreme strength and flexibility but most important to me, versatility in styles of movement—hip hop, modern, lyrical, acro, everything. And the one thing I admire most about her is her dedication. She is always expanding her skills and knowledge through lectures, classes, workshops and more. I also admire Laurence Hilsum, Michelle Shimmy and her sister Maddie, Amber Ray, Natasha Wang, Nadia Sharif, Prana. They are incredible dancers but I also really LIKE them and am happy to call them friends.

COPYRIGHT BEXIITA, REVVED UP POLE

SHIMMY

Australia’s Michelle Shimmy is one of our favourite pole icons, with a beautiful sexy yet girl-next-door style – and is the pole dancer with the butt we all covet! Shimmy is a Sydney-based pole dancer and pole instructor and co-owner of the Pole Dance Academy in Bondi with her sister Maddie. She has won titles including Australian Pole Championship, Group Division and Australia Pole Fitness Championships 2012, Doubles Division 

We catch up with Shimmy and talk doubles moves, sweaty hands, velcro butts and massages from shirtless male models…

REVVED UP POLE: So tell us how you first became interested in pole dancing? (I once read you said pole was “like gymnastics for grown ups” which we think sums it up perfectly!) What can you remember about your first time on a pole?

SHIMMY: My sister Maddie’s best friend convinced Maddie and I to try a class. I actually didn’t want to go – I thought that pole dance sounded lame. But Maddie convinced me, so I went along. I remember being behind Maddie in class and watching her do her body rolls and thinking “my goodness this is an awkward thing to watch your sister do!” How things have changed since then! But I was hooked immediately. I loved it.

RUP: You won the Australian Pole Fitness Championships doubles division and Australian Pole Championship doubles division with your partner Matty. You obviously have to train very closely with your partner to get such an amazing performance together. Did you find that you learned anything different working with a man as opposed working with women?

MS: Where do I begin? It’s very different pole dancing with a male partner. Their skin grips differently, and different positions are more painful for them. Matty and I like to mix it up so that sometimes I base him, and sometimes he bases me. At first I found it difficult to base him as he’s a little heavier than me, but I got used to it.

As for style, we had to find a common unifying style for our doubles, as my style is usually either quite sexy or alternatively feminine and pretty, I suppose. Matty can also dance that way too – maybe better than me! But to be a credible doubles act we needed to come up with something that would translate well on stage. We seem to do mostly emotional performances, and we put a lot of heart and soul into each one, which I think shows in the performance. People have told us that they’ve cried watching our shows. We love that haha…

RUP: You have quite a roll call of legendary pole dancers Down Under, from Jamilla Deville to Felix Cane, Suzie Q, Deb Roach, Cleo the Hurricane and many more, as well as amazing performers like Chilli Rox, Fontaine and Amber Ray. What is it about you Australians that makes you so amazing??

I think that in Australia we take our pole very seriously, and we train very hard. The fact that there are so many amazing pole dancers here means that if you want to do well, you really have to work! I think we all push each other to train harder and be more creative. I feel honoured to be a part of such an extraordinary group of women.

RUP: What are your three favourite pole moves – if it’s possible to get it down to three?!

MS: It changes all the time. At the moment I love some of the bendy back moves, because my back is finally starting to get more flexible. But a top three… hmmm… I love my one arm spin, and you can’t beat an aerial Phoenix, and I guess the last one would have to be my move the seahorse or Velcro Butt!

RUP: Were there any pole moves or particular areas of pole you struggled with, and how did you overcome this?

MS: It’s crazy now because it’s kind of one of my signature moves, but I used to be terrified of the twisted grip handspring/Ayesha/static V/whatever you call it. These days it’s almost like a resting pose for me, but I used to get really sweaty hands and always thought that it would never be possible for that reason. But as I got stronger in my grip strength, I became less nervous about it, and stopped sweating so much.

RUP: Do you ever feel demotivated on the pole, and what do you do to overcome this?

MS: Some days I feel like superwoman, and other days the mere thought of going upside down exhausts me! Then I have a Red Bull haha. When I feel I have no pole mojo, I usually just try to accept that I’m having a bad day, and I’ll do some handstands or stretch or something instead. The pole mojo always comes back.

RUP: What do you enjoy most about pole dancing/instructing?

MS: The thing I enjoy most about pole dancing is the feeling of freedom and strength it gives me. It’s like nothing else. I love the rush of a new break-through or achievement, and I love performing.

As for instructing, the biggest joy for me is watching students experience all of the above for themselves, and see them develop a new appreciation for their bodies and all that they are capable of. I’ve seen pole cure so many women of the body issues and insecurities that have plagued them all their lives, and that is such a wonderful thing to see.

RUP: What would you say has been your career highlight so far?

MS: So many wonderful things have happened to me in my career so far, such as winning titles or placing in comps and travelling the world touring, but I think I would have to say that my biggest career highlight would be the moment my sister Maddie and I agreed that we would open the Pole Dance Academy together. It was the best decision ever.

RUP: You yourself have become a pole icon, but who would you say is your own pole icon and inspiration?

MS: Ahhh so many! For her versatility and all-round awesomeness, Jenyne. Marion and Anastasia, for the fact that they have taken their natural talents and worked unbelievably hard to be the very best that they can be. Felix, because she is still the most spine-tinglingly beautiful performer. Natasha Wang, because she is so ethereal and otherworldly on the pole. My sister Maddie, because she is ridiculously amazing and so hard working (the perfect training buddy!). Alethea Austin – watching her made me realize how much art goes in to looking effortlessly smooth and sexy. Marlo is beautiful. All the Aussie pole stars! There are so many more, but it’s getting close to midnight here…

RUP: If time and distance were no object, what would be your perfect day of pole training/performing?

MS: I would train all day with all of the above ladies, at my studio, Pole Dance Academy (because I love the brass 38 mm poles)! Then we would all relax at Bondi Beach with my dog and drink margaritas in the sunshine. While getting massages. From shirtless male models. Bliss haha

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