Pole Pod

Hell on heels, $tripper and pole rockstar Jana Oneira fires up stages across europe since 2019! The queer artist & instructor from Switzerland has a passion for everything circus, burlesque and more, and cant wait to share all her showgirl secrets with you! Follow Jana: https://www.instagram.com/janaoneira?igsh=dnZnMDJzdXFocDVk Train with Jana: https://tr.ee/LyQbz2UHCH Hosted on Acast. See aca...

In this episode I talk to the amazing Giordaina Hartley about our May retreat that we held in Italy. It was so awesome to listen to this back and reminisce on good times. It really made me reflect on how much @sunrisepoleretreat has grown and think about where it’s going next… About Giordaina: Giordaina is an award-winning pole and aerial artist with 15 competition titles under her belt. She has t...

I got to interview the amazing Xara Flame and she has such a unique story! I’ll let her tell it as she jumps right into it at the beginning but she lives part time in Ecuador! As she was talking her dog was bringing sticks to her to play fetch and the backdrop was luscious greenery. It was truly stunning! She is an incredible human and I also had a little Pole Jam with her afterwards which I hope...

I first realised I had to interview Colleen when I read her post about rejection and her need for external validation when competing. I was like “That’s ME!’ So I reached out and interviewed her the same week. There’s some colourful language and a lot of laughs. Colleen has so much knowledge about the pole industry and has worn many hats over the years so this interview is just awesome for that re...

Today I got the pleasure of speaking with Dani Davey, physiotherapist at The Pole Physio. I asked her everything I’ve always wanted to ask a pole physio: from common mistakes we pole dancers make, mental health and pole and how to prepare the body for an intense period of training and MORE! Thanks Dani for taking the time to talk to me I loved it! About The Pole Physio: We have grown in the past c...

Self Care Tips to Help You Thrive in 2025! Since moving countries I’ve upped my self care game! I’ve had to really sit in the uncomfortable and face how I’m feeling head on. These practises really have helped me and have become part of my daily routine. I am not expert meditator yet - but I at least show up and sit with myself every day and I think that’s enough! I recommend experimenting with you...

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 shap...

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 mi...

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,...

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 op...

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-ti...

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 abo...

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...

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...

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...

Today’s episode is with Giordaina Hartley. Giordaina has had an amazing winning streak: She has won Miss Pole Dance UK, GBPC, LPC, YPC - to name but a few. She’s extremely flexible and started with no previous experience which I find very encouraging as this really shows that if she can do it maybe we all can! There is a pressure that comes with winning of course and we talk about the truth behind...

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 vas...

Joanna recently won the Australian Pole Art Championships at 54 years young.  In this episode we talk all things from poling over 50 and pole longevity to her competition process and performing on Australia’s Got Talent eleven years ago. One to inspire us all to keep moving as we age and also to take care of our bodies so we can stay active as long as possible. Link to Joanna’s Instagram:&nbs...

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 sh...

I started training with Rachel in September last year for the World Pole Championships in Argentina and straight away I knew I had to interview her. So this is a different conversation between a pole coach and athlete and I think you can hear the closeness in rapport. Lots of laughing together and being comfortably vulnerable.  I’m not sure if Rachel realises how hilarious she is but you can...

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...

We kickstart 2024 with a thought inducing Episode with Yumi Sykes - who fuses ballet and pole in her performances.  We talk imposter syndrome, dealing with the critical voice and talk strategising and goal setting for 2024. It’s also very ironic that I’ve spent many a day wanting to be able to dance more soft and subtle, whilst Yumi has had moments questioning her own style and feels a need t...

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 di...

Today I was brave and decided to talk a little about how I’m feeling with the World Pole Championships, Argentina looming just a few weeks away. I talk honestly about how my competition journey has been for me: from the very lowest moment to how I’m feeling right now. I’m very much feeling the fear and doing it anyway. I am noticing imposter syndrome and realising how I habitually shrink myself to...

*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. ...