Fit, Fierce and Fearless, presented by GenX Pole Arts

Four women. Four lived experiences. One shared truth. Midlife doesn’t ask for permission before it changes things. Your body shifts. Your circumstances shift. Your perspective sharpens. And with that comes doubt, discomfort, and the question of how you move forward. In this compilation episode, you’ll hear from Felicia, Joanna, Lauren, and Zen (Nancy Adzentoivich) as they share what it looks like...

In this episode of Fit Fierce and Fearless, I’m joined by Sara, an aerial chains artist and gymnastics coach from Wyoming. Sara and I actually met the way many people in our community do these days—through Instagram—thanks to a connection with a previous podcast guest, Karl. Sara’s story is a great example of how discovering something new later in life can completely change your path. She started...

In this episode, I’m joined by Doreen—also known as The Fitness Mistress —whom I connected with through Instagram. After seeing a bit of her pole journey and learning about her background in fitness, I knew I wanted to have her on the podcast. Doreen has an incredible story and brings so much honesty and wisdom to the conversation. We talk about everything from her start in fitness in her mid-40s,...

In this episode, I sit down with Dahlia to explore her journey with pole dancing. We talk about how embracing this practice reshaped her body, mind, and sense of self. From releasing fear and body insecurities to building strength, confidence, and creative freedom, Dahlia shares how fully committing to pole has changed her life. This conversation is about more than fitness—it’s about trust, resili...

In Episode 55 of Fit, Fierce and Fearless, I sat down with Tammi - someone who’s been part of my pole journey since my first competition. We competed against each other at my first Pole Sport Organization competition in LA right after COVID. It was just the two of us in our category. I was terrified. She had blue hair and a whole vibe. I thought, “Oh my God… how is this going to go?” Turns out? Sh...

In this episode, I’m joined by Becca, a pole dancer who returned to the pole at 56 after a 10-year break. From performing at PoleCon in Los Angeles to rebuilding her practice in Tennessee, her journey is proof that it’s never too late to come back to what you love.  We talk about relearning inverts, navigating hormone changes, recovering from injury, and finding community in midlife. This conversa...

In this episode, I’m joined by Karl — and if you’ve ever seen his posts, you already know he’s not someone who blends into the background. Karl is 74 years old and constantly pushing boundaries, whether that’s on chains, flying pole, Lyra, or outside in the snow wearing a dinosaur costume. He’s one of those people who makes you stop scrolling because you genuinely never know what he’s going to do...

In this episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, we sit down with Jill, a remarkable woman whose journey with pole dance and movement is a story of courage, patience, and joy. From discovering pole later in life to embracing spin and static pole, Jill shares how she’s cultivated strength, flexibility, and self-awareness—all while balancing family, career, and life’s inevitable aches and shifts. Jill...

**CORRECTION: Joanna returned to pole at age 39, not age 49 as she states at the beginning of the episode. ** In this episode of Fit, Fierce & Fearless, I’m joined by the truly extraordinary Joanna Littlewood-Johnson, a multi-time world champion pole artist, studio owner, Pilates instructor, competition founder, and all-around force of nature joining us from Australia. Joanna is 56 (yes, you read...

I honestly can’t believe we’re here. Fifty episodes of Fit, Fierce & Fearless, and this milestone episode felt like the perfect moment to bring on a guest who truly embodies everything this podcast stands for. Today I’m joined by Chivon (also known as Firestorm) — dancer, instructor, performer, business owner, and all-around magical force of nature. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like t...

Welcome to Season 2 of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless — and I honestly can’t believe I’m saying this — this episode marks one full year of the podcast. To kick things off, I had to bring you someone truly special. My guest today is Lauren Hill, and if you’ve seen her on Instagram or in real life, you already know she brings a fearless, rebellious, deeply creative energy that fits this podcast perfectly...

Welcome to Fit, Fierce, and Fearless Season 2! In this first episode of Season 2, we revisit the five most-streamed episodes of Season 1. Episode 1 - The GenX Pole Arts Origin Story Episode 3 - A Conversation with Deeana Garcia Episode 6 - A Conversation with Firebird Episode 27 - A Special Episode with Shana Pereira Episode 47 - A Conversation with Firebird These five inspirational episodes are t...

Welcome to the final episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless for 2025—and the season finale of our very first year. For this special episode, I’m joined once again by Firebird, who is not only a three-time guest on the podcast, but also the guest from our most-streamed episode of the year. Bringing her back felt like the perfect way to close out this season and reflect on growth, creativity, resilien...

In this episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with someone I’ve admired for years—Makeda, the incredible woman behind Flying Over 50. I’ve been following Makeda since the very beginning of my own pole journey, and having her on the podcast felt full-circle. She is living proof that movement, confidence, sensuality, and strength do not expire with age. At 64...

In this episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, I sit down with Stephanie—an incredibly strong, honest, and inspiring woman I met at one of my GenX PoleArts Intro to Movement & Pole Dance Workshops. Stephanie shares her journey of rediscovering herself after leaving a relationship where she felt unable to fully be who she was. At 56 years old, she’s built nearly 7 pounds of muscle, won a gym com...

In this episode, I sit down with Fran , the powerhouse coach behind Body by Fran — a trainer, pole athlete, physique competitor, and educator who has built a reputation for transforming bodies and mindsets with equal intensity. We explore her evolution from passionate mover to competitive pole athlete to certified bodybuilding coach, and how she blends these worlds to help her clients build streng...

Theme of the Episode In this episode, Zen explores how the stories we tell ourselves can distort our sense of ability, identity, and worth. From underestimating our physical capabilities to minimizing the legitimacy of our own careers, this episode digs into the quiet, persistent narratives that shape how we see ourselves — and how often they’re completely false. Zen shares how she spent three yea...

In this episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, I chat with the incredible Mary Caryl, a 72-year-old multi-talented artist, pole dancer, performer, designer, and entrepreneur who is an inspiring example of living a heart-led, joyful life. From revealing her secrets for candy-making, skincare, wellness, and staying active, to diving deep into her love for pole dancing, Mary Caryl shares  how she main...

In this powerful and honest episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, I talk with the incredible Jacq—multi-disciplinary artist, self-published author, performer, and deeply insightful human navigating a season of uncertainty, growth, and courageous self-reinvention. This conversation is honest, warm, and full of truth-telling about creativity, fear, self-expression, and the importance of community du...

About This Episode This week, Zen shares the heartbreaking news that her dear friend — and former Fit, Fierce & Fearless guest from Episode 28 — Shana Pereira has passed away. Many listeners will remember Shana’s strength, humor, and perspective, and may be stunned to learn of her loss. In honor of Shana’s life and message, Zen shares the full audio of her TED Talk within this episode. A perso...

Trigger Warning: this episode discusses domestic and sexual violence and abuse. In this inspiring episode, Zen dives into a raw and empowering conversation with comedian, pole coach, and all-around badass Orchid, as she opens up about rebuilding life after loss, owning her identity, and redefining strength as a woman over 40. We explore what it means to rise from a chapter you never asked for — to...

In this inspiring episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, Zen sits down with Panther, a 55-year-old dynamic, passionate, and beloved pole dance instructor with over 15 years of experience. From her first class and competition, to teaching countless students of every size and shape how to move with confidence, Panther shares her wisdom about growth, community, and owning your lane—no matter your age,...

Welcome to Fit, Fierce, and Fearless , the podcast by GenX Pole Arts! I’m Zen (Nancy Adzentoivich), here to celebrate women over 40 finding strength, confidence, and community through pole dancing. In this inspiring episode, Zen sits down with Kristina, a World Champion pole artist, to talk about her evolution in pole dance—from her athletic beginnings as a runner to becoming an international comp...

Sometimes the shortest updates are the most important. In this quick solo check-in, Zen shares news on upcoming GenX Pole Arts workshops and how you can get involved with the pole community near you. In this episode: Why supporting your local Pole Sport Organization (PSO) competitions matters for the growth of the community Where to find GenX Pole Arts swag featured on the podcast (DM or visit the...

Welcome to Fit, Fierce, and Fearless , the podcast by GenX Pole Arts! I’m Zen (Nancy Adzentoivich), here to celebrate women over 40 finding strength, confidence, and community through pole dancing. In this episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, Zen sits down with Susan to explore the journey of body image, strength, and self-acceptance through the art of pole. From navigating pregnancy and postpart...