Pole Pod

The episode is with the incredible Jade Bensilum. Jade wears many hats in the pole industry: she’s an Xpert trainer, she coaches polers for upcoming competitions with her Comp Guru business, she runs numerous UK competitions and owns and runs her own pole studio Studio Flare.

It was amazing to catch up with Jade and talk about how she juggles it all. We also talk about how the loss of her mum shaped her and inspired her Pole Art Italy performance and changed her outlook on life in a big way.

Excited that Jade will be joining me @rusticpoleretreatitaly very soon!

More info soon!

Links:

https://www.instagram.com/studioflareuk?igsh=MW40c3FpZmN2M2dnZg==

https://www.instagram.com/jade.bensilum?igsh=cDBmazAyM3AzYnM5

https://www.instagram.com/compguru.pole?igsh=ejluNnh0MzJ3MjNj

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I was super excited to talk to the amazing Pixie Le Knot who is one of the UK’s leading contortionists.

She has appeared in the Game of Thrones, The Devil lnside & It Never Sleeps and has established a career in amazing contortion performances.

We talk about the reality of life on set, how to build a career as a contortionist, vegan activism and her vegan diet. We bust flexibility myths and misconceptions about eating plant powered.

Links:

Pixie’s website: http://www.pixieleknot.co.uk/

Pixie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pixieleknot?igsh=MW9wbXR0d2tvaW40Ng==

Earthlings: https://youtu.be/UCwmtIBoEEY?si=Id4ETK_WSLC87qTO

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I first came across Julia Creadiva when competing at PSO in Switzerland. I saw her perform and thought WOW! Then I saw her perform her Scars to Your Beautiful performance and I knew I had to invite her to be interviewed (as I’ve wanted to talk about disordered eating for such a long time…)

So trigger warning! This episode is heavily based around eating disorders, society’s obsession with thinness, and being a female athlete with not many bigger, curvier role models.

Links:

List of Eating Disorder Helplines:

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/

Reach out to Julia: @creadivapole

Learn with Julia: @humptyseven

Julia’s Mentor: @fabiennehumpty

Julia’s Website: https://www.creadivapole.ch

Insta link to Scars to Your Beautiful: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C59KaY8oTBQ/?igsh=MWltaGlwMm1udnVydg== 

Julia’s PSO Zurich Winning Performance:

https://youtu.be/dWrNAc5IJzE?si=w2C0jYCzrJs5jyde

Julia’s Ipsf world championship performance:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0kLnVjos82/?igsh=MjE3bTdseTBxejA3

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Today I chat to Darren Whitby who is (alongside his husband Vishesh) currently European Same-Sex Latin Champion.

We talk about bias in the ballroom dancing judging sphere, along with the differences between competing in pole and ballroom.

We discuss the ups and downs of competing and when it would probably be a good idea to quit a pole competition, rather than pushing through.

Darren also talks openly about how it felt to be a gay boy growing up in Witham, Essex and his full circle moment performing in his hometown years later and winning the Mr Pole Essex title.

Darren on Instagram:

@darrendancefitness

Rainbow Nation:

https://rainbownationdance.com/

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Klodi Dabkiewicz is a versatile performer whose journey through the world of athleticism and artistry has been nothing short of extraordinary. With a foundation as a former Champion Class Rhythmic Gymnast boasting 12 years of experience, earning multiple titles as a Polish Champion.

Today, Klodi Dabkiewicz graces stages around the globe, captivating audiences with her exceptional acts. From top-tier Cabarets to Dinner shows, and from Theatrical to Corporate events, her performances have left an indelible mark at renowned venues such as Cirque du Soleil, Lio Ibiza, Cirque Eloize, Formula 1 Monaco GP, GOP Variete, Art on Ice, La Clique, La Soiree, and the Royal Opera House in London.

Years of competing in Rhythmic Gymnastics and Sports Aerobic as well as almost 20 years of Circus career gave her knowladge and understanding body’s functioning and abilities which she uses in her teachings. During pandemic she opened her online school @Enter_circus where she gives flexibility, contortion and handstands classes.

In this interview Klodi opens up about her pregnancy and getting back to performing post-partum. She busts those flexibility myths and talks about why she advocates a plant based diet. 

Links:

Klodi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klodi.dabkiewicz?igsh=eHQ3c2dvZDUweGI0

Enter Circus Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/enter_circus?igsh=Y2I3dmVycnIxcWgx

Dominion film:

https://www.dominionmovement.com/watch

Cowspiracy documentary:

https://www.cowspiracy.com

What the Health documentary:

https://www.whatthehealthfilm.com

Game Changers documentary:

https://gamechangersmovie.com

Challenge 22+:

https://challenge22.com

Cronometer:

https://cronometer.com

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In this episode I interview Jack Scott-Lee, male identifying pole artist, performer, athlete and coach. Jack has been a professional pole dancer for 15 years. We talk about how to create a compassionate parent voice, how to be kinder to ourselves and feel we are worthy of all the most amazing things.

Books Jack recommends:

Radical Self Love by Gala Darling

I Am Enough by Marisa Peer

I Am Enough Meditation by Marisa Peer:

https://youtu.be/HeEvsUOu7ig?si=823K8CBDm5D1WckN

Links to try tapping with Jack:

https://youtu.be/Xv20cDmgJiw?si=wbt2bvYDL4VlV0mM

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Trigger Warning : Suicide and suicidal thoughts, alcoholism, addiction & depression.

Watch anything of Ollie on the pole and you’ll see that he is an incredible pole athlete. In this interview, however, you’ll realise he’s mentally much stronger than even his strongest power moves on the pole.

His mental strength to get through his toughest times is an absolute inspiration to all. He talks about his lowest moments candidly here - something that we didn’t plan at all but he went there and I’m very happy he opened up.

Being vulnerable is a super power and this episode proves it hands down.

If you are in crisis and need urgent help:

• Call 999 for an ambulance (or your country’s emergency line)
• Go straight to A&E, if you can

If you can't do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.

Mental health emergencies are serious. You're not wasting anyone's time.

Links:

Studio Flare: https://www.studioflare.co.uk/

Ollie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ollie.t.read?igsh=djloaGE0b28zajE1

Mental Health Help:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

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A little solo episode about my move to Italy!

Change - big and small - can be very scary for everyone so I thought I’d share where my head is at now.

In this episode I talk about my fear of change and how I am combatting it, my Pole Retreat, morning pages, minimalism and more!

I hope you enjoy this little conversation with myself. If you listen closely you can hear my pre- Breakfast tummy rumbles 😀

Links:

Rustic Pole Retreat Italy:

https://msha.ke/rusticpoleretreatitaly

RPR Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rusticpoleretreatitaly?igsh=cGIweTc1cWR1NmZp&utm_source=qr

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This episode is with the powerhouse Gemma Rose. Gemma is incredibly honest and vulnerable and this, I believe, is one of her biggest strengths.

We talk about her struggles with her mental health, her cute mermaid persona Finderella, founding her pole competition PDSM and her work as a stripper. Plus much more!

If you haven’t listened to Gemma’s Podcast The 6am Club I strongly advise checking that out next! Her stories of what happens in the Strip Club on her shift are funny, sometimes heart breaking but most importantly very nuanced: Like everything in life, it’s not simply awful or super amazing but there are shades of grey which can be confusing. It’s easy to be addicted to the highs whilst living the lows.

I want to thank Gemma for being so open.

Trigger warning: suicide, mental health struggles, body dismorphia & sexual assault.

Gemma’s Website: https://gemmarose.co.uk/

Gemma’s Podcast:

https://redcircle.com/shows/the6amclub

Dance with Gemma online: https://buymeacoffee.com/gemmarosepole?t=true

PDSM: https://poledancestrippermovement.co.uk/

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This episode is with Fran Daino of Body by Fran.

Fran is 56 years old and blows me away with not only her physical strength on the pole but also her business know-how when it comes to making money as an online pole coach.

We talk about ‘quantity over quality’ which is an interesting way of getting around perfectionism and procrastination.

We discuss her concept of NOT aging ‘gracefully’ and being ok with the opinions of others.

This is very insightful episode that will have you thinking about the pole business in a whole new way and will leave you wondering where you fit in amongst it all.

Fran’s Instagram: @bodybyfran

Fran’s website: http://www.bodybyfrantraining.com/

Fran’s YouTube Channel:

https://youtube.com/@bodybyfrantraining?si=uOetnUmyVdRo6B0_

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