Ep. 57 | We Tried Pole Dancing. Looking in the Mirror Was the Hardest Part.
Heather and Blakely made a promise in Episode 1: after hearing how pole dancing changed Jamie Cole's confidence and leadership, they would try it themselves. One year later, they finally showed up at Rockstar Pole Fitness with heels in hand, seven friends beside them, and no idea what they were getting into.
The class was physically harder and emotionally more vulnerable than they expected. They talk about the strength behind pole, the difference between sensuality and sexuality, and the challenge of looking at themselves without immediately comparing their bodies or abilities to someone else's.
They also share what happened during the freestyle portion, why Heather's video landed in the hidden folder, how Blakely found one move she could own, and what slowing down can teach leaders about power and presence.
Plus, Clay reviews the footage, Heather tests a routine at home using a door, and Blakely prepares to face a bear in her backyard.
Key Takeaways:
Why keeping a promise can still matter when it takes a year to follow through
How Jamie Cole created a welcoming space for a vulnerable first experience
Why pole dancing requires strength, technique, and repeated practice
The difference between trying to look sexy and connecting with your own sensuality
How comparison can interrupt confidence in real time
Why looking yourself in the eyes can feel harder than learning the choreography
How leaning into one movement that feels good can help you find your groove
Why confidence and presence are skills you can practice
What moving more slowly can teach leaders about power in a room
How an uncomfortable experience can change the assumptions you carry into it
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Heather Cooper on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercooper.nab/
Clay Carnill on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claycarnill/
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Links & Mentions:
Charli xcx, “Camera”: https://open.spotify.com/track/5Fdj0DtH4ZhymltyN5xEv2?si=066ac60c356547ac
Jamie Cole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pelirroja_poles/
Rockstar Pole Fitness on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockstarpolefitness/
Revisit Episode 1 with Jamie Cole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0ZHLd0KLYQ
P-Valley on Starz: https://www.starz.com/us/en/series/p-valley/46156 (Jamie's fictional recommendation for its portrayal of the women and people of color who pioneered modern pole dancing and continue to lead the art form through club culture)
Strip Down, Rise Up on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80208242 (Jamie's documentary recommendation about pole dancing as a practice for healing and empowerment)
Pole Artists Jamie Recommends Following
Dan Rosen Pole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danrosenpole/
Fiyastarta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vjsfiyastarta/
Doris Arnold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorisarnoldpoledancer/
Yung Pole Master on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yungpolemaster/
Lux ATL on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lux_atl/
Move with Tara on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/movewithtara/
Red Ruby GoGo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redrubygogo/
Shelastic Wolf on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelasticwolf/
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