Pole Pod

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=eHQ3c2dvZDUweGI0Enter Circus Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/enter_circus?igsh=Y2I3dmVycnIxcWgxDominion film:https://www.dominionmovement.com/watchCowspiracy documentary:https://www.cowspiracy.comWhat the Health documentary:https://www.whatthehealthfilm.comGame Changers documentary:https://gamechangersmovie.comChallenge 22+:https://challenge22.comCronometer:https://cronometer.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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/rusticpoleretreatitalyRPR Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rusticpoleretreatitaly?igsh=cGIweTc1cWR1NmZp&utm_source=qr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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: @bodybyfranFran’s website: http://www.bodybyfrantraining.com/Fran’s YouTube Channel:https://youtube.com/@bodybyfrantraining?si=uOetnUmyVdRo6B0_ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses suicidal thoughts, body dysmorphia and body dysphoria.A message from Steffi:‘I wasn’t totally thrilled with how I spoke about the issue of trans inclusion in sports. I want to clarify that my answers reflect my own insecurities about my passing and my own femininity. I approach the issue with empathy but I think it is important to recognize that in the vast majority of the time this “debate” is not had in good faith. Trans people belong in sports, in the space that is valid for them.’I met Steffi Bower at PSO Zurich on one of the hottest days of the summer last year. Steffi identifies as a trans woman and here we talk about her experience as a pole competitor and how pole has helped her with her mental health and with body dysmorphia and dysphoria. We talk about injuries, her history with concussion and the inclusion of trans people in sport. Links:Steffi’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/s_lococcus?igsh=MTJqb2I4ZXBheDNudw==Support for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families:https://mermaidsuk.org.ukTransgender Resources:https://glaad.org/transgender/resources/Contact Samaritans:Call 116121 - Helpline for all of Europehttps://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/List of International Mental Health Hotlines:https://www.nivati.com/blog/international-mental-health-hotlines Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Pole Pod guest is pole performer, activist and Blackstage founder Leila Davis AKA Cutie Whippingham.Leila founded Blackstage as a direct response to the lack of diversity in the pole industry and the lack of opportunities for Black people and people of colour (BPOC) who pole dance. Davis draws from her experiences being a part of the London QTIBPOC scene and all of the events she has been involved with since entering the scene in 2015. She says “I was tired of the lack of representation of BPOC and I was tired of the white, non-sex worker allied, pole narrative which also erases trans and non-binary polers. I wanted a space for the community I love and see, to be loved and seen by all as it should be. I want the pole industry to be decolonised”.Tickets for Blackstage 2024 are on sale here:https://dice.fm/partner/promoter/event/2ylb6-blackstage-presents-community-6th-apr-the-clapham-grand-london-tickets?_branch_match_id=1137053034268706120&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8nMy9ZLyUxO1UvL1S8zNrQ0MTBKTkkxtgQAkxQ6WiEAAAA%3D&dice_campaign=promoter&dice_channel=web&dice_feature=marketing&dice_id=1722674&dice_tags=organicBlackstage Events: http://www.blackstagepole.com/eventsBlackstage Website: https://www.blackstagepole.comLeila’s website: https://www.leiladavispole.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is with Pole Unicorn Kitty Velour as you’ve never heard her before! We delve deep and get vulnerable pretty quickly! We talk about sex workers rights, what working as stripper is really like, her performance highlights, the fact that she is a shy and introverted person when not onstage and discuss her past of body issues and eating disorders. It’s incredible to hear how Kitty worked on her body insecurities: from hiding her body in layers of clothing to embracing her curves and ‘jiggly bits’ on stage. Dancing has helped Kitty reclaim her power and take her sensuality back as her own.Dancing sexy is an art that can be learnt Kitty says. If you’d like to learn to dance with Kitty check the links below. Links:Dance with Kitty: https://dancewithkitty.comWatch Kitty’s Wedding Show: https://dancewithkitty.com/programs/barkervelourcircusKitty’s Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/kitty_velour/Dance With Kitty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dance_with_kitty/The Pxssy Parlour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepxssyparlour/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jojo Fox is a pole performer, studio owner, instructor, competition organiser and fellow vegan who lives with Level 4 Osteoarthritis. She is also neurodivergent and queer. In this episode we talk about her pole and mindset journey and the misconceptions some people have when it comes to disability. She points out many things the pole industry could do to improve diversity when it comes to disability. For example advertising with a disabled poler or with a dancer using their mobility aid. We never see this. Why?We talk the founding of her new competition Glow, and the UKPPC hiatus. We delve deep into her mental health journey and how she dealt with harassment from a fellow pole instructor.I learnt a lot from Jojo. For one thing I realised that competition organisers are usually just one person dealing with all the financial responsibility and a lot of risk. I also questioned the I way I tend to rush to achieve a trick and what cost that has on my body. Maybe being kinder to my body, taking my time and accepting its limitations is a better idea in the long run. ‘Some things just aren’t feasible for my body and that’s ok. You can be a performer, competitor and cool things without those things. You don’t need what you haven’t got.’Follow Jojo’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/jojoxfox?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==Jojo’s pole studio: https://instagram.com/freebirdpolefitness?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==Jojo’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jojoxfoxApply to Glow: http://ukppc.co.uk/glow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Trigger warning: As Sam describes the event of her injury you may feel uncomfortable. If you are sensitive to hearing about traumatic injury you might want to skip a few seconds ahead around 5 mins in.However, I’d recommend staying with the discomfort as Sam relays the traumatic event honestly and bravely. The severity of this event is her reality that she had to work through and overcome. There is also some colourful language 😀*Imagine you are training for a high level pole competition and just as you are running your routine for the final time that day, in front of your peers, you fall out of a pole move you’ve practised many times. You dislocate your shoulder resulting in multiple injuries (including an avulsion fracture at the greater tuberosity, slap tear grade 2, supraspinatus tendinosis…)This is a nightmare for any pole dancer. For any athlete. I can’t even imagine…One moment you are focusing on preparing to compete internationally and the next moment you need help to brush your teeth, to dress, to shower…to do everyday actions you never previously needed help with.You have to focus on your rehab and find a new identity whilst you recover. You have to somehow support yourself financially when you used to make money through teaching your sport. This is Sam’s story - it’s a story of resilience, of believing in the impossible and not losing hope. Useful links: Artemis Pole Studio Instagram:  https://instagram.com/artemispolestudio.ldn?igshid=NzZlODBkYWE4Ng==Sam’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/polewithsam?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==Websiteshttps://www.artemispolestudio.com/https://www.polewithsam.com/Useful evidence based books recommended by Sam:The Vital Shoulder ComplexJohn Gibbonshttps://amzn.to/3QSGCptExplain PainLorimer Moseley, David Butlerhttps://amzn.to/3SB2oPQClinical Sports Medicine Brunner and Khan's https://amzn.to/3syhNWf Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.