Pro Spotlight on PANTERA!

I can't stop!!  I'm addicted.  But I promise this is the last one for today and I am finishing strong.

Another she-who-needs-no-introduction.

PANTERA!

I first met you through Bel and Twirly Girls Pole Fitness. You are an honorary Twirly Girl -- and we absolutely adore you. You must meet some pretty amazing people traveling the world. What do you love most about traveling and what do you like least?

Most...I love experiencing and connecting with people and places. Seeing how they live, work and play. There's nothing like seeing the Red Sox at Fenway, standing in the same spot as a favorite historical figure/event or sampling food and drink that's been tradition for generations. Its awesome that people share these things and allow me to be apart of their lives even if only for a short while.

A perfect example of some of the awesome people I've met along this road is Bel of Twirly Girls. I didn't know Bel when I was first at her studio. We never met each other. She's shown me her city with pride and opened my mind to broader aspects of pole. Her partner drives me further by sharing his wisdom. They invited me into their home a stranger and now after years I feel apart of the family. She's got me halfway convinced to move to California! Momma Bel, I love you!

Least...the airports and airlines. Expensive, low gratifying experiences with humans. Single serving, unhealthy and over processed food. Delayed or canceled flights with little to no compensation. Condescending airport/airline staff and security has taught me.....a great deal of patience :) Not to say its always like that...just this morning ;)

What is your fitness background?

Played 3-4 sports while growing up including gymnastics, softball, basketball and other random team sports the school endorsed. I've been an informal body builder since the age of 14. Learning anything anyone would teach me and reading anything I can find on physiology, kineseology, mechanics, nutrition and the coolest new fitness stuff. A past time I still enjoy today.
Currently enjoy your basic first aid/CPR,  personal and group fitness certification with future aspirations of awesomeness.

What is your fitness routine (on and off the pole)?

Off Road:
Its hard to answer this question because it changes frequently
7 days a week
Stretch everyday.
Variety of programs, styles, and methods.
Pole specific training every three days.

On Road:
Stretch everyday.
Pole everyday.
Cardio when I can get it and a leg day every so often.

What kind of diet do you follow?

I call it the caveman diet but apparently they have developed a real title for it. Paleo. Basically meat, plant, and water.
Small. Often. Well.
I try to carb overload once a week/every two weeks. When you eat this way food that is processed tastes like ass so its actually hard to carb day.

Do you have a dance background?

I took a ballet class for six weeks...does that count?

Which competition(s) do you like to do? Do you have any title(s)?

I actually don't like to compete anymore. Remember I'm old school. I believe the competitors are the entertainment. They should not have to pay to enter or pay to get to an event for someone else to capitalize on their name, image and talent. I'll start competing again when they get it right.

Please refer to my bio for titles HERE.

Where do you train? Do you have your own pole studio?

Off road: Brass Ovaries Pole Dancing in Austin, TX. Shout out to the rockinest girls in Texas! Sorry Dallas babes, I'm biased! ;)

I do not own a studio but the pressure has been put on to start something...look for something in a few years.

Do you have sponsors you'd like to acknowledge?
When I started almost 15 years ago all there was for sponsors was rubbing alcohol...and they weren't interested! Ha ha ha.

Mighty Grip has been with me since the first soccer mom touched a pole. I absolutely love the original formula but have now started to cheat. With the new super tack they've developed. I like their other products as well (gloves, ankle guards etc) for beginners though I don't use them very often. I love the little footy thongs. My feet are much happier now.

What first interested you about pole dancing?

Very few of the other strippers did it....was a way to separate myself.

Do you have a preference? "pole fitness" or "pole dancing"

I think people choose one or the other because it is more socially acceptable. Like saying fitness is going to release the stigma sooner. Fitness is a by product of physical activity.

Its popular/trendy because of the dance and its background. Don't take that away from it...or at least cover your ass cheeks if you insist on calling it fitness.

What do you think about the stripper vs. pole fitness debate?

I don't know who started this but again it's a way to be more socially acceptable. Every stripper I've worked with that didn't have a drug problem was one fit bitch! And even the druggies were fit. Crazy, but fit. Perhaps instead of making one "bad" and the other "good" we should accept them all, stand together and be the community we claim to be.

What is your favorite product to help you stick to the pole?

Sticking to the pole sucks. I just want to have the best balance of moisture and dry. MIGHTY GRIP!

How do you deal with the dry skin on pole days (and on off-pole days)?

I wear lotion every day. Your skin likes it. Try different kinds to see will work best for you.

If no lotion is handy I will use a cap of water.

Where do you like to buy your pole clothes?

I like to buy cheap bikinis and embellish them myself. I'll even custom make my own costumes. I don't know about you guys but I don't got the cash flow for some of the labels out there. I'm on a budget!

Do you like to dance in heels or barefoot?

For performances I start in heels and take them off some where in the middle.

What did you do before competing and/or opening your pole studio?

Stripper, commercial diver, pizza flipper, entrepreneur...etc...

What is your favorite song to dance to (at this moment)?

I'm going through the library and finding songs that I want to perform to. Being a Gemini allows me to be vague and indecisive :)

Do you have any other upcoming events/competitions you'd like people to know about?

I'm always cooking up something. Check out my website, Facebook, or Twitter to see what I'm up to. Just for mention: finishing the 2011 USA tour, 2012 UK, Euro, Canada and Oz tour. Streaming online instruction from never touched a pole to "you want me to do what?" And new sponsors and products that I've officially sponsored.

What else would you like people to know about you?

What you see is what you get. I've helped bring pole where it is today and will continue bringing the best technical and progressive training there is. Often imitated but never duplicated.

*****

Black and white photo credits to Andrew Fryxell of Liquidpulp Photography.  Photographed at Twirly Girls Pole Fitness.

Color photo credit to Morozov Vadim.