About Me

I wear so many hats.  By day, I am a legal secretary/paralegal. Occasionally, I am a pole instructor at Twirly Girls Pole Fitness in Pleasanton, California (nicknamed the Twirling Viking Warrior by Bel). In 2013, I began cosplaying as Candy of Chunky Girl Comics and I truly enjoy helping to build women's self-esteem in a world fraught with negative body image messages. I am the facilitator of a weight loss surgery support group, so that I can help provide guidance for those who choose to take that route. I also enjoy planning fundraisers and events. I am a co-creator and co-producer of Northern California Pole Presentational, the first showcase in Nor Cal that is independent of any studio, and which does not require an invitation or submission video.  Our inaugural event was August 23, 2014.  I embrace all types of dancers and enjoy encouraging (and proving wrong) those who feel they aren't strong enough to pole dance. As I love to say: pole dance is for everyBODY. I take A LOT of photos and love drag shows.  I enjoy horseback riding, sunsets, and the beach...if I can get all three in one shot, I am in heaven.  Concerts and live music give me life.  I struggle with weight and self-esteem issues, like many people.  I recognize I am not everyone's cup of tea -- although the world would be boring if we were all the same.  I am always open to adventure and I have a lot of fun in the process.  There are so many parts that come together to create me.  I appreciate that this blog allows me to share those parts of me with you. 

In 2017, I really started questioning what I was doing with my life. Maybe it is because I am in my 40's now. I really started focusing on the things that are important: surrounding myself with the right people (both friends and family), infusing more positivity and joy into my life, incorporating a gratitude practice, eating the right foods, taking the right supplements, doing movement that makes my body happy, being a nicer person, learning to truly love myself, appreciating my body, giving back more by volunteering my time as a hospice volunteer...and the list goes on.  I have also decided 20 plus years after graduating from college that I should return and finish my next degree.  In 2019, I founded Nature Goddess Adventures.  I want to combine hiking, yoga and spirituality so I can help others find the puzzle pieces to heal themselves as I have done for myself.  I have decided that I am on the path to becoming an enlightened unicorn.  It is my job to be the best Aunty I can be to the babies in my life.  I no longer diet or force myself to do exercise that I hate (which generally leaves me injured anyway).  I don't spend time with people who leave me feeling drained.  I do work that is interesting.  I am reading more books (well, by reading, I mean listening since I recently subscribed to Audible).  And, as always, I am focusing on the adventures in my life.  Oh, how I wish I had truly grasped sooner that life is about the journey and not the destination.

DISCLAIMER:  Although I have often written about diet and exercise, I am not a doctor or an expert in these fields.  In fact, some of those old blogs probably contain a lot of bad "science."  These are my own personal experiences though.  Also, I proudly call myself a Twirly Girl, but my opinions are my own and are not necessarily those of Twirly Girls Pole Fitness.  I appreciate all the love and support that they give to me though.

Want to see me dance?  Here's a very simple routine from Trick or Twirl 2012:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84rjDZwN4w8  

Watch me dance with two of my friends/students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nUhd4LL0BY

www.lolorashel.com

Photos by LockBox Studios:

2017

2016