Pole Dance Podcast

Hey everyone, my name is Mia and I'm the Vice President of Pole Dance Club. I'm here with some of our wonderful committee to answer some of the questions you have for us. So today on the panel we have... Hi, I'm Alexa and I'm the Secretary for Pole. Hi, I'm Isobel, I'm the Co-Volunteering and Fundraising Officer and we have Sophia in the back, who is also Co-Volunteering and Fundraising Officer. Hi, I'm Kacy and I'm the President for Pole. Hi, I'm Lisa and I'm the Co-Social Sec for Pole. Awesome, thank you so much for being here today guys. Before we kick off with our Q&A, we are just going to remind us of why we are here today and that is for the 60 Hour Rebellion, helping to raise money for Beacon House to help give aid to those who are homeless. So please, if you're listening, please donate anything you can, every penny counts. So you guys asked us some questions and we are here to answer them for you. The first question we're going to answer is, are you proud to be a pole dancer? Yes, absolutely. I think it's one of the best things that I've done at this uni, not just because of what it's done for me as a person, but also I'm just so proud of what I've been able to do with the club and especially being on committee. I'm just so proud of everything that I've achieved and what we as a committee have achieved for this club and yeah, I'm so proud of myself for doing this. I love it so much. I'm so glad you feel that way. I think Isobel, out of, I mean obviously we all know a lot of people that have been part of the club, but you have been one of the people that have really flourished over the last couple of years, definitely. Like your confidence, especially being on committee this year, has like skyrocketed. So you should be very proud of yourself. I'm crying, thank you. Oh no, that's only really you. Thank you very much. We've only been recording for like three minutes and we're already in tears. Yeah, I definitely think it's a good thing. I feel like everyone that we know is proud to be a pole dancer. I don't think there's anyone that's kind of embarrassed about it. And I feel like the pride kind of builds over time. You see people like begin to flourish in their bodies in the way that they can move and how they get impressed with themselves. And it's become a really like, it's such a safe community, especially within our club. It's like, it's a pride thing to be involved with that kind of supportive and friendly energy where everyone's just like in love with each other and will scream when they get a move and stuff like that. It's, it's amazing. Yeah, the support in class and outside of class is absolutely unreal. But yeah, no, thank you guys. So another question that we got was, what is the best thing about our pole dance club? So I think for me, the best thing would be the fact that I'm on committee. I was social sec last year, and this year I'm now secretary for it. And I think just like for myself, it's given me so much more, like confidence, and like the extra work that everybody on committee does, like it gives us like extra skills that I don't think we'd get, like elsewhere, especially because we are doing pole. And I think like we put in so much effort, like that goes on behind closed doors, like I think it really does just like, it just, it just gives us skills that like, you're not going to get anywhere else, but you're not going to get it in waitressing or anything like that. And I think like, as well, like for members, I know when I was a member, like, my favorite thing was like, there's always something going on within the club. So there's always something to get involved in. Like whether that's like, you know, drinking, but apart from that, like, I actually do love us like sober socials, like the pottery or the studying or the bowling. I think that's like, probably the best thing about the club, like from both perspectives, I'd say. Yeah, definitely. I think everyone's showing so much dedication really stands out in our club. And going back to like the same questions, are you are you proud to be a pole dancer, not just proud to be a pole dancer, but we're proud to be part of the pole dance club, which is a lot of people's favorite thing about the club. And it is not just about the sport, it is a whole community. And you know, we get we get to do so much more with each other. Yeah, I think as well, like, what Isabel said, like, as well, Casey said, there's so much like support. So like, when I'm spotting beginners, like it's my favorite thing to do, because you just, you just like get involved. And like, I'm not amazing at pole, I'm just okay, like is that but I think for beginners as well, like seeing someone who still hasn't got it all figured out, like helping spot their class, like I think it would really like if that was me, I know it really helped me. So I think it's a good thing, as well. Like, yeah, I just, I just like the club, funnily enough. Thank you, Alexa. So another question that's on a very similar wavelength, is what your what is your favorite thing about pole itself? Everything. No, it's just pole dancing itself has become like a safe zone for me. It's just whenever I'm feeling down, go to the studio, just have some self care time. But also like, whenever, whenever I'm in, in a group with the committee and members, it's just nice, because it's always positive. Like we already mentioned, and it's just a very uplifting, literally. It is really nice. Anyone else got a favorite thing? Go on, Isabel. A favorite thing about pole for me this, this year has been teaching it. I think it goes back to the question of like, what are you proud of doing? But one of the best things that I've been able to do is not just do pole for myself, but also teach it to other people. Because like what you were saying, Alexa earlier about like, spotting people and seeing them flourish. It's, it's been such an amazing thing to like teach people and see them like light up being like, Oh my god, I've got this move. Oh my god, I can do this thing. And they'll like record it. And then they'll start making friends. And I think that's one of the best things about pole is that community that we've created. And being able to like teach that and kind of put that to students to do it. It's been it's like one of the best things that pole pole can do for someone. Yeah, I absolutely agree. Teaching at the beginning of the year, I was very nervous to teach because I've never done anything like it before. And then you know, the class I had, especially first time were, you know, were really patient with me. And they were really lovely. And I think everyone in every class that teaches has never experienced a difficult class. Everyone is so supportive of one another. Yeah, I completely agree with you. You know, it's also nice, like, when you're not able to get into the mood, but everyone else just pushes you, encourages you. That has happened to me many, many, many times. But yeah, you guys are there and like, Oh, you can do it. You've got this. You always know when you're halfway through trying a move, and the whole studio goes silent. You know, everyone is like, just just rooting for you. It's a scary feeling, but it's also very, like, you feel encouraged. You're like, Okay, come on, everyone's here for this. We're gonna do this. Also, like, if you're about to fall, you know, there is somebody there ready. Yeah, I think I think pole also makes you a bit more fearless of hurting yourself, which is that's it. Well, for some people. I think as well, because I've been teaching for the past two years now. And it's kind of it's not just that it helps, it helps you become a better poller. Because I was teaching beginners and interns progression last year, like our lower levels. And then this year, I've had to step up and teach instant advance. I've been doing those qualifications as well to try and build it. And it forces you to kind of look at how you do things, do things more technically, like because people are looking up to you, people will come and ask you questions. And it's a really nice feeling to be like a mentor to somebody like you said, to have the people that you're teaching succeed, and to be able to push people to like where you think they can be. I'm pretty sure I forcibly put Lisa's feet into the right position. Yeah, it was. We've all touched each other's toes at some point. That's probably the table. Okay, we're going to move on to the next question. So another question we had from someone is, is pole a safe space for everyone? I absolutely think that it is. And I do think that that's something that we really try and push within the club is making sure that it is a safe space for everyone, because it's not a typical sport. Anyway, it's something that's quite stigmatized a lot of the time as well. So it's not really a space where you can be judgmental, or you can be rude. It's a very supportive space because of the sport that it is in itself. But then you've also got the fact that we do try and be as inclusive as possible. We've got a very large like LGBTQ plus population in the club. And I think that is to do with how open and friendly that the club is. I think it's harder, in a sense to be inclusive to like men, for example, because there is that kind of pushback against it's a feminine sport, you have to be quite exposed in front of other people. And so we don't have as large of a group of men within pole. And it's also harder to sometimes accommodate physical disability, because of the fact that we are we are student led, we aren't fully trained. So it's harder to be able to make full accommodations, but we do try as hard as we can to make it inclusive to help people with whatever they can, if people come up to us and say, I've got this thing, I've got that thing. Whether it's physical, whether it's mental, we do try and help as much as we can. We've all got our own mental health issues as well, which we all try and help each other with. It's, we do try and make it as safe a space. And I think that we really have done that, like Lisa was saying, the studio is a safe space. And it has become my safe space, it's become like my second home at uni. So I think we really do. Thank you, Casey, that was a really nice answer. And I think we'll all agree with everything. Yeah, I mean, we've asked members in the past about how they feel about in the studio. And it usually they do come back saying, you know, I feel so welcome there, I feel like I can just be myself. You know, we get people of just all different kinds. And it's so nice, because it's one of those sports that you don't, you know, you don't feel like you have to fit into a certain category of person. And, you know, we always try and be like, as accommodative, not sure if that's a word, but accommodating, accommodating as we can. Thank you. Yeah, we're going to have a couple more questions before we move on to the next part. Another question is, most surprising thing you learned during pole. So I was talking earlier about one of the most surprising things I found was just how stronger one of the side of my body's worth. So my right side is a lot stronger than my left in pole. You I mean, we are supposed to train both sides. And we do tell our members to train both sides. So if anyone who is a member who is listening, make sure you train both sides. And I know that's not maybe not as deep of an answer as some people might think. But genuinely, like you learn a lot about your body, you learn a lot about your pain tolerance in pole and also learning to just push through something because you really want it. You know, there's a there's a lot of moves that I really, really want. And they're very, very painful. But, you know, not just me, everyone will give it a go over and over again. So I think the most surprising, the most surprising thing for me is my body's capabilities. What about you guys? What do you think was my surprising thing about pole doesn't have to be body related? I think like how strong you have to be because like, I really underestimated it. Like when I first joined, I was like, I've got no body strength whatsoever. I mean, I still don't now. But like, you really think, wow, like, how, how do you do this? Like, there's so many moves that like, as well, you just have to try and try and try and you just got to stick it out. Like, you just have to try. And it's about like not giving up like that is like, one thing that I didn't think that you think it comes so easily. But when you go to like, you move up a level, you think, wow, like, I can't do it. You just have to stick to it. Definitely, I think the strength you develop during pole as well, I was exactly the same, you know, my legs have decent, decent strength, but anything above the waist is pretty much just noodles. But after doing it for, I'm coming into my third year now, I really have found that I just, I just feel stronger, I feel like I just, I don't necessarily look better, I look at myself, I'm like, Oh, I've got a bit, you know, a bit of a bite up there. I think flexibility as well, you don't realise how flexible you have to be, or you don't realise how flexible you're going to get, like the way, especially when you go up the levels, the ways that you have to contort your body around that pole are unhuman. You are not meant to bend that way. Somehow it happens. Sometimes I just look at Kate and I'm like, yeah, I'm not going to be able to do that. No, that is not physically possible. That is not, that should not be allowed. I'm just on the pole like, can you just push my leg to my head, please? Definitely. I'm not a flexible one. But you guys definitely just help me get into those weird positions. And like, one thing that I was surprised about when I first started doing pole, that's not like, body related, everybody says this, and it's my favourite thing ever, especially since teaching beginners, is when the pole spins. So many people are like, wait, you have static and spin. And that was the exact same for me when I started when we did our first like, spin class, I was like, wait, that's how they do it. Because I saw so many videos online. And these these amazing, like graceful people, like spinning, and I'm like, oh my god, how do they do that? And now I'm like, ah, I know now. So that wasn't the most like surprising thing. But it was definitely up there. Like, I now know the secret. Yeah, yeah, definitely. And I think as well, like, I figured out like, when I do a move, I hold my breath. And I just hold my breath. And I always have like, Sophia go, breathe, breathe, breathe, because I just hold my breath for the whole thing. And it's so weird, because it's like, you don't know you do that. Like, it's, it's just really weird. Oh, my God, honestly, whenever I am in the pool, like my brains and body that disconnected, like, like, on Monday, like, I didn't know. Wait, where is this going? You got a mental barrier, don't you? Oh, thank you, guys. We've got one more question, which I think we'll all have individual answers for. What advice would you give someone who is just about to start pole? Do it. I know, that's such a simple answer. But I've, I've had so many people who I've tried to recruit to do pole who who say, Oh, I don't have the upper body strength, I don't have the flexibility. And unless, unless you're an absolute bodybuilder, who's been doing like, gymnastics since the age of six, there will always be something that you can't do before doing pole. And it's just about learning as you go along and building that strength, because nobody can do things first time if they can. How dare you? It's quite offensive, actually. No, but it's also like, oh, my God, I hate you, but I love you. Yeah. And like, yeah, no, nobody realistically can do something perfect first time. And something I would just say to beginners is that you've got, you've got to have your first class, you've got to have your first fall, you've got to have your first mistake. And you've just got to push through those and have take the time to learn the skills that will help you in the future, you know? Yeah, I think as well, like, even when you're in the class, you just have to do it. Like, everybody gets a mental block, especially when it comes to going on spinny, like you think, Oh, like, you know, I literally don't have any control of my body. But even when you're in the class, you just have to do it. And I think as well, like the fact that it's a club that the uni provide, when I first joined already made it seem less daunting. So like, you think, Oh, you know, like, it's actually not going to be it's not as scary as you think. And when you get in the class, you just you do eventually just take that leap and do it. You think, Oh, wow, like, it's actually not that bad. Definitely. Anyone got anything else to add? I probably say don't compare yourself to your instructors. Oh, God, yeah. We all do it. We all do it. And it's very, very, in the beginning, it's so like, wow, the first time and it's daunting. But you go in and you see your instructor do your first few moves. And people try and do them and then sit there going, Oh, mine doesn't look like yours or whatever. And it's like, we have been doing these specific moves since we started pole. We've been doing them for years. We are teaching you because we can do those moves. So please don't compare yourself to us. Everyone has their own way of doing things. You're going to be more stiff before you get that flow and that technique and that grace around it unless you've been doing dance for a long time. So it's like don't compare yourself to instructors. Yeah, definitely. But everyone else in the studio, just focus on yourself. Everyone gets to do their move. Everyone's current journey is very much their own solo journey, which is why it's so nice when you see someone that has been maybe in a bit of a block for a while and then they do progress because you know that that's going to make them feel so good. Any other advice, guys? Yes, Isabelle. On that of like, don't compare yourself to instructors or like people in your class. You will find moves that just don't click with you. And that could be for like flexibility or strength reasons. Like there's a beginner's move that I don't really like. It's called cradle spin. Like some people love it. I personally don't. I can't quote unquote do it right, though there's not really such a thing of doing a move right, personally. But there are people in beginners who will boom, immediately get it first time. I'm just like, oh my God, wow, that's, that's so great. Well done. And like, there are just moves that if you're more flexible, will look a lot better. There are a lot of split moves that if again, you have that flexibility, it's just going to look better. So for every move you can't do, there is a move that you can do that someone else can't do. So there's really no point in comparing yourself because there's, there's so many moves in pole that there is, it's, there's no pressure to get them all in order to go up another level. You know what I mean? Yeah, absolutely. Definitely. Another thing like, I know some people want to do pole dancing, but they're afraid of doing it because of what other people think. But just do it. You're doing it for yourself. Absolutely. Like everyone is welcoming anyways. I think as well, like, when, for me, when I do pole, I wear like a baggy t-shirt and shorts. And that's what makes me feel comfortable. But they're like, when you're in the studio, and you look around and people are wearing more like your typical pole wear. Like, I do think like, oh, like, you know, like, I'm like, oh, like, that looks good on you, but not for me. So I think as well, like, if you're to join pole, don't feel intimidated by what other people wear, just wear what makes you feel comfortable. Very individual sport in all terms, like your style of dance, your style of what you wear, your, your own style of how you do tricks and stuff like that. What, like Isabel said, what you find easy versus what you find hard. It's such an individual sport that as much as it is a community, you are on your own journey, and you are doing it for yourself. So just do it for yourself, wear what makes you feel good. And a lot of the time it does progress, like you feel comfortable at the start in whatever. And then you move up and you think, oh, actually, I like this style of dance. I want to wear this kind of thing. I want to try heels. It's completely up to your own path that you take. So like, like I said, it's just do what makes you feel comfortable, because nobody's going to judge you because everyone's doing what makes them feel best. Yeah, exactly. There are no rules in poll, and that is the best thing. So we're going to move on to our interview section. Now, we reached out to some external poll instructors that have worked alongside our club. Some of them have performed for us, some of them, some of them have actually taught our classes, and some of us, some of them have also judged our competitions. So we're going to start off with a question that we asked Delana. So we asked her, how do you think poll is viewed these days in the eyes of the public and social media? And she answered with a very nicely detailed answer saying, it's portrayed as a negative thing when women are attuned to their sexuality and self confidence. This is the same for poll. I think there is a divide between poll fitness and poll dance. And I believe this has happened as a defense mechanism for women who feel shamed and guilted for enjoying this form of expression, particularly through poll. However, I really appreciate that there's such a strong sense of feminism and empowerment forming on social media and society around the fact that poll, as we know it now, has been provided to us by that of our OG strippers and sex work culture. The more that we ensure these topics are discussed, and the more we pay homage to our roots of the poll, the better. So I think that's a great answer. Do you guys have any thoughts on that? Yeah, I think that's such a good response, because especially with the difference between poll fitness and poll dance, especially in social media, there's been like an attempt to try and get away from poll dance and the roots of it coming from the sex work community. And I just think that it's really troubling to think about, because when you start putting up these barriers in a sport that is all about community and camaraderie, you start getting this divide of one person's doing something wrong, and one person's doing something right. And especially when that comes to the sex work and stripper community, that's already facing so much stigma on their own for what they do. When you start bringing that negative energy into such a positive sport, you get these divides of like, poll fitness trying to get so far away from wearing heels, doing more sensual dances. And you create these categories that don't need to exist, when we should all be working together and honouring where this amazing sport has come from, and that is sex workers and strippers. Yeah, I think as well, I've never thought of it like that. I think that's really opened my eyes, because I'm not gonna lie, whenever I'm in a professional setting, I do say poll fitness. And I never thought of it like, obviously, how Delana's answered it, which is really made me think, because I just think with the stigma that comes with it, I always tend to just say, oh, yeah, I'm secretary for poll fitness. And I've never thought about it like that. So I think that is really like, um, yeah, it's good. It's a good thing to be aware of. Definitely. Yeah, I definitely think Delana's right in saying it is, to an extent, a defence mechanism when you say poll fitness is a poll dance, because there is that stigma, because there is that judgment from more professional settings from adult, like I say adults, older people, older generations, especially. And then also the kind of comments that you can get from people that are either ignorant or rude, or overtly sexual and quite objectifying. It is a defence mechanism. It's more of those if you make it more fitness based and distance it from sex work. It does kind of try and shield you from that. But it's not something that we should have to do. And it's not something that is in any way productive, like Isabel said, when we need to be, if anything, more proud of its roots and more unashamed of saying, I do poll dance, I do whatever, if you do an exotic style, that kind of thing, because it supports and destigmatizes or helps to destigmatize poll dance in general. And shows support for strippers and sex workers. Definitely. Awesome. We're going to move on to the next question. So we spoke to Ray, and we asked Ray to tell us one of her favorite poll dancing moments or stories. And she answered with, a few years ago, I injured myself a few days before a show. I was so desperate to do it that I performed anyway. It went terribly. I came off stage beside myself in tears, but my bestie, shout out to Delana, so Ray and Delana do actually know each other very well, picked me up and handed me a glass of wine. We danced the night away with all the other judges and competitors. Then we went for a swim in the sea at 3am. I think that's a great story, because it shows that she still did it, even though she was injured. Maybe not the best health advice, but she was so mentally determined to do it that she did it anyway. She said it went really badly, but she still ended up having a great night, not just with her friends, but the people that were judging her and the people that she was up against as well. And again, I think, I know we keep linking it back, but it's such a prominent point in the community that we are just one, it sounds so cliche, but we are one big family. Like, you know, yes, they're judging you, yes, they're up against you, but because it's such an individual thing where we understand how important everyone's poll journey is, the support is amazing. So does anyone have any other thoughts about what Ray said there? I think it's a great story. It is a great story. I think we've all had moments like that, if you've competed or if you've performed or anything like that, where you're either so, so nervous to go on, or you've injured yourself. I think it was before Remy last year, I had injured myself. But I was like, I'm going to do it anyway. And again, probably not the best advice to be like, yeah, just go and perform when you're injured. But after that day, because we had several different unis here to compete, it was so nice to meet pollers from different unis. And then I think it was us and the University of Suffolk sat down in Top Bar, had a few drinks and just had a really nice laugh. And with the judges as well, Delana and Ray. So it's just, it's, it all just comes back to like you said, community and family. And it's just, it's always so fun, even when it's like, injures. Yeah, even when you're feeling like, oh, I didn't do very well. Yeah. You know, everyone around you always picks you back up, which is so nice. We also spoke to Zo and Arrow. And we also, what is one thing you would tell your younger self now in relation to pole dancing? And she said, I would love to tell my beginner pole dancer self to slow down. There are no medals for achieving things quickly, master the basics first. I think that should be plastered across the walls in that studio. That is amazing. It is so true, because I think especially if you're a beginner who tends to fly through moves, it's so easy to be like, I am a pole prodigy. This is amazing. And then it's kind of that step up to obviously we have into progression in the middle to kind of introduce people to intermediate skills and low level intermediate moves. But even that jump is so big, because you start inverting, you start using a lot more strength and flexibility than you have in beginners. A lot of people then tend to hit a wall. And they think, oh, this is so hard. I'm not getting things as easily as I used to. And it's so important to remember to slow down. And that just because you achieve things quickly, doesn't mean that and you don't anymore doesn't mean that you're not good at it doesn't mean you'll never get it just means that you have to work a bit harder for it. And that makes it all the more exciting when you do get it. Yeah, I'm so guilty of doing that. Because like you're saying, in intermediate, there's, there's so many different skills. And you will find that in the room, you do have the stronger people, you do have the more flexible people, and you do have the people that are absolutely fearless and will just throw themselves at it anyway. But yeah, definitely slow down. And there are no medals for doing things quickly. You know, some things take people years and years and years, but they still get just as much credit as someone that's done it in a year. So, so yeah, I think we all agree with that. We're just going to also look at another answer that we got from Zoe, which I think is quite interesting. So talking about how people view us as pole dancers. And we also say how long have you been doing pole dancing? And what made you start? So Zoe has been doing pole for five years. But she says in her answer that she didn't actually start until she was 23 and moved out of her parents house because she was scared of what they would say. And luckily, they were very supportive. And her dad even helped her install a pole into her spare bedroom, which is great. But just more of a personal question. How How are you guys families when you say to them like, you do pole? Well, what I did was like, I started pole. And then I told my parents. It was a bit of a mixed reaction. Not gonna lie. Because initially, my mom misunderstood what I was doing. So I had to explain because she confused pole dancing for lap dancing. So no, that was not. But then again, she was fine with it. She just said, Just be careful. Please don't. Don't call me from the hospital saying that you broke your neck or something. And she just said, Yeah, be safe. Do whatever you want. And that's nice. Yeah, I think as well. Like, like, when I told my parents, they, like Lisa said, misunderstood what actually was like, they didn't like, you know, they was like, Okay, yeah, do whatever you want. Like, they didn't really care. But they were still like, it's just not understanding what it was. And I'm going back to what I said earlier, the fact that it's a club that the uni provide, like, I think it just changes people's opinions. Yeah, I mean, my, I told my whole family, like, it was over dinner at the restaurant. And I was like, I have to tell it now. I have to, because I like accidentally mentioned of like, Oh, yeah, I've got a gym membership. And they were like, Why are you going to the gym for? And I was like, Oh, well, well, I had access to it because of like, because I'm in a club. And then that's when it came out that like, I did pole dancing. And they were, they were really supportive of it. And like, plus, like, when I show them videos of me doing pole, they do get a bit like, because when I'm like, starting to like go upside down, and like do all these tricks, my dad is like the same, like you said, Lisa, like, please don't break your neck. And I'm like, Dad, I promise you, I'm not gonna injure myself. But they're really they are really supportive. And they do enjoy when I send them videos. Being like, Mom, look what I did. It is really nice to know that like, my family are supportive of me doing it, because it's, it's, it's just so nice. The more people who support what you do, it just reinforces that kind of that self belief that a lot of us already have that like, we're doing something we love. And it's just that 1% extra, like, yeah, I am doing something really cool when other people say like, yeah, that is really cool. I think when you're in the studio with other pole dancers, and you know, you do something that you might not consider as amazing as someone else, but then you take a little picture of what you've done that day or a video, and then you send it to someone that doesn't do pole and they go, Oh, my God, how are you doing that? And in your head, you're like, well, it's actually quite simple once you've been doing it for a while. But you are almost like a bit of an inspiration to some people. You know, I'll send something to my mum, that I consider within the club, not too difficult, but she'll go, Oh, my God, like, how the hell, how the hell are you doing that? And, and it just makes me think, actually, yeah, like, we are doing a really cool thing that not, you know, we're very lucky to have the opportunity to do something like pole because not everyone has that opportunity. So I think that is quite, it sort of brings us back down to earth and realise that we're doing quite an amazing thing. And I was like, this could be quite cool. And my mum was like, well, book it, and I'll take you. And every week for like six months, my nan drove me half an hour, sat in the car whilst I did my lessons, waited, and she was like, I'll read my book, I'll go shopping, I'll do whatever. And she was always like, oh, show me what you did. And my family were very supportive. My dad still gets or any male family members still get a bit like, hmm, especially when it comes to like, the more exotic side of things. They're like, you can do it. And it's cool. But I don't really want to see a video. I'm like, fair enough. That's fine. Whereas my female family members are just like, Oh, my God, that's so cool. That's amazing. They always want pictures and videos. They're very, very supportive, which is really nice. Your nan sounds like the coolest person ever. My nan is so cool. I love her. Big up, Grags. Grags, this is for you. My nan had a similar reaction. I remember I showed her my heels for the first time. And it was over like a WhatsApp call and I showed them to her and she was like, cool, you're not going to take those to Tesco, are you? And she was so supportive of me. And she was like, well, you go for it. And I was like, thanks, nan. She's like, Oh, my God, you're so strong. And she'll just turn around and they'll show other people and be like, Oh, she's so strong, isn't she? She's so like, Oh, my God. So my dad saw my heels, my like eight inch boots that are huge. And my dad went, they're the size of your head. Well, thank you for that, guys. And thanks again to Delana, Zoe and Ray for answering some of our questions. And that is the end of this section. I have some questions for you guys. And they're just some fun Rajiv Ravas. We've spoken a lot about pole. I know we could speak about pole all day, every day if we wanted to. But just for the last section of this, I thought this would be quite fun. So I'm going to ask you guys, would you rather be Batman or Spider-Man? Spider-Man. Spider-Man. Spider-Man. Unanimous. See, very good answer. I was thinking Spider-Man because again, linking it to pole, you could use that web to just stick yourself to the pole. You'd never have to, you'd never have to use, yeah, you'd never have to use your grip again. You could like fling yourself from one pole to the other. The commute to uni would be so easy. Yes. Oh, the transition from the static pole to the... I wouldn't have to do it. I would love Batman's money. Yeah, I'd say Batman is a bit cooler. You know, he's like, I'm Batman. I'm not going to do the voice. I'm Batman. Thank you. I got you. But yeah. Okay, well, that was very easy. I've got another one. Would you rather sweat maple syrup or cry strawberry jam? Strawberry jam. Maple syrup? But that's sticky. That's what I thought about it. But I'm allergic to strawberry, you know what I mean? Oh, no. Do I want to ask you? This does depend on how much you cry, though. Oh, I don't cry. Is it going to hurt my eyes, though, if I'm... Sorry, that's getting too technical into it. I know. I was like, hmm, sweaty maple syrup. I'm not a very sweaty person. I sweat all the time. Yeah, but then, like, if you do, you know, that's going to get... That's difficult to get off. But then crying strawberry jam, I mean, I'm a bit of a crier, so... But then I guess, like, toast every morning, just... Yeah. Because, like, I'm taking it that if you cry it will sweat it out. Like, it is genuinely just jam or maple syrup, so... I don't know. You think? Yeah. Sweaty maple syrup on my toast? Yeah, because I don't think maple syrup, not sweat and maple syrup, so it would just be maple syrup. Yeah, but still knowing that it's a sweat. I'm going to go jam. Same. Yeah, I think jam. Jam. Yeah. Tasty jam. Once again, unanimous. Lovely. Seeing the brain set on fire. Right. So, next one. If you had to go on a reality show, would you rather be on I'm a Celeb or SAS Who Des Wins? Wait, what's the second one? SAS Who Des Wins, it's basically, so you've got the SAS. No, it's basically just, like, a big survival show. Oh. But it's sort of military-based. Oh. It's tough. I think I would do I'm a Celeb and pray that I never got voted for anything. That's the thing. With I'm a Celeb, like, you have to eat grubs and scorpions. But wouldn't you do the same thing for the other one? No, I've never watched it, so I'm asking. I'm sorry. SAS is more about, like, you being tough and survival. Oh, OK, yeah, I'll do that. I believe. I've only watched a couple of episodes. But then I'm a Celeb, I feel like you get picked to do more gross things. So it depends whether you think you're less squeamish or more tough. I'm going to go SAS only because I hate bugs, specifically spiders. I am a genuine arachnophobe. I can't do it. Absolutely not. And also, like, it's hot. It's in Australia. It's, like, sweaty and, like, ugh. I'd rather just be, like, get it all out the way in SAS of just, like, yeah, I have to trick through the mud. I've never watched this show, but, like, something like that. I'm picking SAS. You've got to think, like, with the SAS thing, if you don't think you'd be very good, at least you'd leave quite early. You wouldn't have to endure too much of it. Oh, no, what a shame. Oh, no, I get to go home to my bed. So what are we voting? I'm sticking with I'm a Celeb. I'll say SAS. Yeah, the second one. The unanimity ends. I'm sticking with that. What are you going for, Isabel? Oh, no, I can't pronounce unanimity. OK, well, that was a little bit of a split. Next one. You guys ready for this one? Would you rather accidentally send a sexy text to your relative or to your boss? See, I'm going to start with this one. Definitely boss, because I work at the mini store and Tracy and Jill are absolutely amazing. And I think they'd actually quite appreciate a sexy text from me. So definitely boss from me. Me and Lisa work for Sub-Zero, though, and Luke and James are great. They're like father figures. I feel like we're picking family figures in each one. I feel like I'm going to go with boss just because I feel like they'd look at it and just be like, OK, anyway. And then, like, next time I come into work, they're just like, Isabel, by the way, what was that about? And I'd be like, I don't think they would address it. They'd just be like, you know what, that happened. Never mind. Fair enough. I'd probably say boss as well, because especially when I work where I work at home, I'm good friends with all the managers. They just find it funny. They would just find it funny. They'd be like, who are you texting? They'd want to know the details of who I was with, what was happening, like everything. Who is it? Alexa, what about you? No, no, no, no. I'd have to do family. I can't do my boss. No, I work in the greenhouse. I cannot do my boss. I don't work in the uni, so that's fine. I guess you do get to choose your relative. So if you've got a sibling, maybe. I don't have a sibling, but I have my cousin, so I choose her. So mostly boss, but a bit problematic because most of us work at the university. This is all hypothetical. Disclaimer, we're not planning on sending any sexy texts to our boss. We don't do that. Please don't fire us, we need our job. Thank you. Okay, right, so next one. This one's very weird, but when I saw this, I had to choose this. Would you rather have fingers made of carrots or feet made of aubergines? Question, are these not going to mould like regular vegetables? I would say that your fingers are just each individual normal carrot, but like baby carrot size. I don't know, they could be big carrot size. They could be. I don't know, I didn't come up with them. Would you rather? All right. So they have joints. And then the aubergine, I guess like it is just an aubergine. I guess you lose your toes. They're kind of squishy though. Aubergines are like kind of, I don't like feet. I don't like toes, I don't like having carrot fingers. Do these vegetables rot? Because like carrots are going to last longer than aubergines. And imagine having like squidgy feet. And do you still put shoes on? Yes. Yes. So you're going to get like rotten veg? I'm still going to assume they don't rot. Yeah. I guess if they're your feet. Yeah. I'm taking my feet. I mean it's still part of your body. Your body doesn't, you know. Yeah. Because you can't do carrot fingers pole. That's my point. Do we have joints? Or is it just like, I'd say they're just like fingers. People listening can't see you but I am just sort of hinging at my knuckles. Yeah. No, you can't claw. You would have the same problem with aubergine feet. Your toes would always be technically pointed. Okay. That was very aimed. Thanks. I'm going to go carrots just because my logic is like when I get acrylics done, I feel a little bit like that I can't bend my fingers. So I'm just going to like take that energy. Again, nobody can see it but I'm just like bending at the knuckle right now. Okay. So we've got one of those carrots. Alexa. Feet. Feet. Aubergine feet. Carrots, I think. Carrot fingers. Lisa. Feet sore. They can be pointy always. Thank you. We love that from a pole perspective. I'm going to have to go with aubergine feet as well. I do my makeup way too much and I don't just want to. Oh. Yeah. I don't want to be poking carrots in my eyes. You can shape them. I could just stick brushes on the end of them, I guess. Yeah. I feel like an Edward Scissorhands kind of vibe. Oh my God, yeah. Right. We've got another one. So this one, I think we can relate to this anyway. Would you rather have horror films playing on loop every time you shut your eyes or would you rather have the Macarena stuck in your head whenever your eyes are open, so whenever you're awake? See, I have songs, and I know you do as well, Isabel, just constantly on loop in my head anyway, but I do not want the Macarena in my head. No, but I don't want to be watching horror films. Yeah. When we say eyes closed, is that just blinking? Oh. So like a blink, it's just like... Freddy Krueger. Yeah, I'm going to say blinking. Oh. I'll go with blinking as well. You blink so fast, you become so like... Used to it. ...numb to it. Yeah. But then the Macarena. The Macarena. I'm going to have to take the Macarena. See, I have nightmares most nights anyway, so I think I'm actually going to have to go with horror movies. You can receive help, Mia. There are numbers out there. Another series that you can go have. I know, I need it. I'm going to go with horror movies just because the Macarena would drive me nuts. I know. And then if you ever heard it, imagine hearing it in a club and then you're awake and it's out of sync. And like you're getting the moves wrong because you're like, do I listen to my head, do I listen to the club? But you're trying to listen to the club, but it's in your head. What are you going to do? But at least I'll be able to sleep peacefully at night. And you can listen to other music during the day. But you're still listening to the Macarena. It's always going to be there. It's a hard horror movie for me. Lisa? Horror movie. I'm good. Oh, I really don't know. I don't like horror movies at all. You have to choose one. But also the Macarena. Have you considered that it's the Macarena? Imagine you're teaching a class and you have Macarena in your head. She's trying to do a really sultry, exotic dance and all I can hear is Macarena. Oh my God. No, yes, definitely horror movies. Thinking about that, it might have to be horror movies. But then you'd be in the middle of a dance. Just blink and then you'd be like, oh gosh darn it. So we've got horror movie, horror movie, horror movie. Isabel? I went horror from the start. Okay, horror. No, you haven't convinced me, guys. No, I'm sleeping peacefully at night, thank you. She chooses peace. Right, we have one more question. See, I think there's a bit of a crossover here. Okay. But would you rather dress up as Audi or Lidl for Halloween? Neither. How dare you? Audi. I would go Audi because, oh, but then the bakery in Lidl. But middle aisle. I would say the way you're dressing is you would have like a colour scheme as their logo but then what you're wearing would be to do with what they sell. Yeah, imagine the middle aisle. The bakery in Lidl, though, guys. Have me in a chokehold. I know. 20p for a donut. But then I feel like Audi is less chaotic. But it depends, if you're dressing up as a Halloween and you're drinking Halloween, do you want to be chaotic? Probably, yeah. Yes. I'm going to go Audi because what you said of colour scheme, their logo is more colourful but I'm thinking about, like, I love Audi's energy of, like, doctorate peeper. Like, I love that energy. And I wish to dress up as, like, Audi's, like, Kellogg's variation of, like, Kellogg's. Yeah, I think Audi's more iconic because every shop says Audi price match. Yes. But where do you ever see a Lidl price match? Nowhere. We promise this is not sponsored or anything. We want to. Like, Audi, if you're hearing us, you know. Could you imagine just seeing, like, Essex Uni pole dance club sponsored by Audi? We could make it happen. Sponsorships, if Audi wants to come in. Again, if you're hearing us. To be fair, I do Audi food most of the time, so my pole dancing energy is fuelled by Audi food. Yes. We love Lidl, too. If, Lidl, you're hearing this, you're gay. You're gay, too. But Audi's better. I do solidly do my food shop at Audi now. Well, that is all we have time for today, guys. Thank you so much. And that is the end of our podcast. Thank you to everyone that's listened today. And thank you for those who asked us questions to provide content for today as well. I know, like we said earlier, we could all talk about pole all the time. So we did really enjoy this podcast. Making it was a bit of a change of scenery for us, which we enjoy as well. So remember to donate to Beacon House and have a great day, everyone. Thank you. Bye!