What’s the first thing you think of when someone says pole dancing? It’s a form of dance which originates from India around 800 to 900 years ago before it became more sensualised in the states in the form most of us know it to be today - around the mid-1800s. Nowadays, you’ll find pole dancing classes as a form of artistic expression and fitness in most major cities worldwide. I spoke to Shannon Crystal Almonte who’s a star performer at one of the most exclusive gentleman clubs here in London, Platinum Lace, and we discussed her rapid physical progress and her top tips to master bodyweight movement. The sex industry can be both lucrative and destructive at the same time and she highlights some of the societal challenges that she faces regularly as well as the values that she strives to stay true to. She believes her artistry is a gateway for becoming a sexual therapist and she shares her experiences where she has had to use it for relationship therapy and influencing business negotiations. Her Instagram is @shannoncristal where she posts her most recent photo shoots and videos.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @beautifulminds_podcast and send us a DM if you're interested in exclusive webinars and corporate training programmes on digital marketing, leadership, wellbeing and more!