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 taught workshops across the U.K., sharing her passion for movement with students of all levels. She is a professional contortionist and offers online flexibility training for all levels through her Patreon. In May, she brought her expertise and energy to the pole retreat we’re diving into today!

https://www.patreon.com/c/Flexibilityandpolecoach

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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 to do again!

A bit about Xara:

Xara Flame, the passionate force behind DG Studio 77, the pioneer pole dance studio in Montreal, Canada. Xara's dance journey, ignited 16 years ago when taking her first pole dance class.

A multifaceted specialist, holding qualifications that span beyond the dance realm. She's also a certified group fitness instructor, personal trainer, and corrective conditioning specialist.

Her expertise extends to nutrition, anatomy, psychology, and education with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education from McGill University and a Plant Based Nutrition Certification from Cornell University.

Giving her a holistic framework and wealth of knowledge to draw on as she helps students reach their pole goals.

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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 reason!

You can buy Colleen’s book “Mobility for Pole”here: https://tr.ee/zhzpo29Cnj

Follow and reach out to her here: @colleenjolly

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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 couple of years and offer a variety of services specific to polers, all online (anywhere in the world!) including physio and individualised comp/prehab/conditioning programming as we talked about, but also dietetics, performance psychology, chiro, and we have a variety of pre-set training programs for things like straddle inverts. Everything we do is online, and we assess and rehab all kinds of injuries online so polers can access professionals who understand the amazing things we want to do!

You can book online or contact The Pole Physio through the website www.thepolephysio.com

We also have an Instagram page where we share a lot of educational content @thepole.physio

About Dani:

I am @dani_performingartsphysio and you can book with me online at The Pole Physio website.

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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 your self care practises and giving them a bit of time as sometimes we try something new and are met with resistance (because it’s scary to change!)

Some of them may or may not resonate at this moment in time for you. However you can pick them up again at a later date or find something you like better along the way!

1. Meditation - recommend this one to start your day: https://youtu.be/qVUJeiIJtyM?si=Qx40G1YqHJKDBw1j
2. EFT Tapping - recommend Gala Darling on YouTube : https://youtu.be/7Z-ZDCiB_Ao?si=7iRzjUthsYrTzApZ
3. Journalling / Letters of Love - recommend Elizabeth Gilbert: https://youtu.be/8G9gvqqz4dM?si=ZNYstBgx3xYYaVsG
4. Burning your limiting beliefs / burning unhelpful thoughts and emotions.
5. Write your own affirmations: ‘I am capable.’ ‘I am strong!’ Turn down radio Shitstorm. Turn up your own confident, empowered & motivated soundtrack.
6. Deep Rest / Yoga Nidra: https://youtu.be/zLJu3wQA1Ko?si=7qmYua-ztaeaDFZV
7. Yin Yoga: https://youtu.be/sVqH6qPDdh0?si=ZbkOfUAS5PAhpre-
8. Listen to Podcasts & Audio Books! Recommend On Purpose by Jay Shetty & Let Them by Mel Robbins.

All of these practises are incorporated into our retreat schedule. Check out @rusticpoleretreatitaly for more info!

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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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