In this week’s episode, I interview Brie of Dandelion Pole & Fitness in South Orlando, Florida. We talk about how she used pole and yoga to recover from a spinal fusion, her affinity for training and coaching, and her love of the creative process.
After a life of horseback riding and performing (on said horses), Brie would require a spinal fusion. Knowing she would need to find something to help her recover, she found pole dancing. Brie started pole at the orignal Lotus Fitness Studio just a few months before her surgery. She used her practice (in addition to yoga) almost like a form of physical therapy – assisting her in getting back to her normal amount of activity.
When Lotus (upcoming guest!!) decided to move their location, it was suggested that maybe Brie take over the space – and that she did! Dandelion has now been open and in business for 4 years!
“We’re a lifestyle studio that believes you are exactly who you are for a reason – and we celebrate your individuality.”
Check out these Key Topics:
- 9:16 “You know you don’t always have a choice where you end up. And you can only do what you can do, where you are. So why not bloom where you are? Why not be the best you can be or the, you know, where you are.”
- 9:58 “We love, I love, the studio loves, we cultivate individuality. I don’t want my dancers to dance like me. I want them to dance like them.”
- 10:33 “I think filling the space with a lot of love and trust. So surrounding myself with people that I trust and that love me is, is a really good way to do it.”
- 13:41 “Everything we do in pole dancing as a pole and everything I do in inversions is a push.”
- 18:21 “Because it’s so much more to, to being in a studio and offering your energy into that space than just coming in and teaching your class.”
- 19:46 “It really does help create some balance because even though they’re coming into work the front desk for me to learn more about this business and have a better respect for it… I’ve learned so much from them.”
- 21:47 “We all visit each other’s studios. Some of my clients are instructors at other studios. I love that I can go to other studios and take classes there. Like, it’s really cool. It’s a cool thing.”
- 30:04 “I mean, metals are cool. Accolades are great, titles are amazing. And like, you deserve them. But make sure you’re in love with what you’re doing on that stage.”
- 34:32 “It’s in my nature to be super controlling, but I try to know where my weaknesses are and I try to really ask for help when I know that I need it”
- 38:45 “A big part of it too is knowing who you’re working with, understanding who you’re working with, and having a group of people you know their strengths and weaknesses and you know, how to use those strengths and weaknesses to their advantage to make a really good act. ”
- 44:16 “I love watching my students learn something they didn’t think they can do and then do it better than me. That makes me so happy.”
- 55:20 “It’s really my pleasure to do it. I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t doing this. I love it.”
Brie’s Favorite Performance of herself – First choice – no video! Sorry, all! This one’s from back in the day – during the time we didn’t record everything with smartphones – crazy, right??
Second favorite – The Wild Flowers Troupe Performance Pole Con 2018
Brie’s Favorite Performance of someone else – Sarah Jade, Miss Pole Dance America 2016
To Connect with Brie of Dandelion Pole & Fitness:
Dandelion Pole Fitness | Facebook | Instagram
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Want to hear more? Check out Episode #11 with Johanna from Happy Kiss and Episode #12 with Hsiang from Queen of Hearts!