I’ve spent much of my life at war with my body and my mind. Struggling with my weight and mental health has often left me wishing I were different in so many ways. For so long my focus was on what I lacked or what I thought I should be. It wasn’t until this past year that I realized how harmful this self-talk was. I asked myself: Would I ever speak to another woman I cared about this way? The answer was a definite no, and then it hit me—I didn’t love myself.

That realization was the start of a transformative journey. I’ve been learning to accept myself for who I am, and starting pole has been an essential part of that process. Pole has taught me to meet myself where I am, rather than constantly comparing myself to others. This has been a huge shift in my mindset and helped me in all avenues of life. It’s helped me understand that it’s OK to do things just for me, that I deserve to prioritize my needs and happiness. For so long, I let myself get lost in roles—whether as a wife or a mother—but now, I’m taking the time to explore what makes me happy and figure out who I am so I can love myself even more deeply and in turn share more love with others.  

Through pole, I’ve found joy in doing something that is just for me. It has become a way to nurture my view of myself, build my confidence and grow my self love. Over the past year, I’ve made incredible progress. Seeing my strength grow and mastering skills I never thought possible has been a powerful affirmation. I’ve learned to appreciate my body not for how it looks, but for what it can do. 

The encouragement I’ve received from instructors and even classmates has been uplifting, too. Hearing compliments and words of support—especially from people I’ve never met before—has helped me see myself through a kinder lens. Staying committed to pole has also revealed a side of me I hadn’t fully embraced: my determination. I’ve proven to myself that I can stick with something, even when it’s challenging. Pole has given me something to be proud of and helped quiet the negative self-talk that once felt constant. Now, I have undeniable proof that I’m capable of amazing things. This journey has been a confidence boost and a reminder that growth is worth celebrating and that I am and always have been worthy of love.