Meet Chelcie Harrison of Studio X in North Carolina – you may already know her from the forums as Castleoutsider!

How did you get started pole dancing?

I had seen a pole in Spencers. Since then, I had this mind set I wanted to learn. Me being naive, I bought the stupid thing only to realize when I got home it was just a prop and that I couldn’t even LEAN on the thing. After that endevour, I met my now-husband and moved far away from my home in Kennewick, Washington to Omaha, Nebraska. There, I met the people my hubs worked with and made a friend. I don’t even remember HOW we found it but we found Adena’s studio – yogadena.com and we set off on our pole journey! Well, my husband is military so we had to move. As soon as we got to our new place I was on the hunt for a new place. Lucky enough for me, Heather had JUST opened and I got her card. All by myself I started with her and I’ve been with her since. <3

Note from Jennifer: Adena was actually the very first pole dancer I ever met! If you’re lucky enough to be in Omaha, be sure to look her up!

What’s it been like to go from being a student to teaching pole dancing classes?

Being with Heather for two years, it’s odd because even though the studio isn’t my baby, it feels like it. I feel the same ups and downs as she does, and I try and help as much as I can, anything that will make it easier on her.

What is the first thing you teach students just starting to take pole dancing classes?

Well, to quote Adena, “Don’t be desperate for the pole.” You run at it, you jump at it, that sort, you will hurt yourself.

How do you take care of yourself, given all the pole dancing classes you teach?

World of Warcraft. Ha! I’m not a girlie girl, and WoW is my “me” time really. After all my work with the website and making things for people is done, I like to run me some instances and troll trade chat ^^

Favorite makeup tip:

Well, I’m not really familiar with make up … but I love me some sparkles!!

Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?

When I first started, I was barefoot. I had bought some killer like 7-inchers that I had only worn once because I nearly killed myself with them. Heather took me to Myrtle Beach and I found my first pair of training wheels!! They’re clear and silver, but the heel comes down in a dome shape to help me keep my balance. I’m also like 5’8″ so, yea, I don’t normally wear heels. But, man, once I learned how to do the little glide, I was mezmerized and I thought it was the hottest thing ever!! It just takes time. When you’re ready to make that transition, you will.

Favorite grip enhancer:

We usually use 90% rubbing alcohol on our poles (50% makes them all gross and slimey). Sometimes I use Mighty Grip and we just found some Firm Grip (I think it’s called); it’s like a spray. I had gotten to spend time with Karol and Alethea at Pole Show LA and they had it for this little photo shoot they were doing, and Karol was saying how holding those poses for so long, she had lost some skin. Well, I got to experience that first hand the other day when I left some of my thigh on the pole with that stuff. So I’d recommend, if you try it, just use it there, where you need to stick. It doesn’t work so well on hands, but you put it on your thighs and maybe your lead climbing foot, you’re good to go!

Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:

I don’t remember my first, but I remember my most recent. (How sad, right.) My Felix climb. When I got it, U was ecstatic – I was like, woo look at me GO!!!!

Check out this video of Chelcie!

Pole dance pet peeves:

Girls inverting before they can even spin right. Irks me to no end. I watch their videos and I’m like … really, you can’t even do the pinwheel right, but you’ll force yourself to go upside down? As well as climbing monkey footed – it looks SO bad! And, I mean, you put heels on and try to climb that way and let me know how it goes. And, speaking of heels, even if you’re wearing heels POINT YOUR TOES!!

Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:

I don’t really have a treatment – lol! I show my pole scars with pride and I’m too tall for the bathtub … lol!

Who would you most like to have in the audience when you pole dance?

I still have yet to dance for my husband. I had the chance to take Karol’s workshop in LA. Let’s just say Alethea isn’t one I want in the audience. I was soo frustrated with myself because I had lost so much strength from not being in the studio and the poles had no grip, I lost it and started crying. I can dance for our students, no problem, but, yea … I can’t dance for my husband or Alethea!!

Who is your hero or role model?

Rawr?! That is going to be a very long list. Starting though with, of course, Heather. I wish I could just flow like she does. I love watching her dance! And learning to be that sexy. Also she has the uncanny ability to dance to anything! Me … I take five years to choose a song for myself or anyone else. Alethea is my female crush. I love her to pieces! I love watching her perform, to be an innovator, to push herself to that next level that she knows she’s capable of reaching. It’s just really awesome to watch her grow and progress. It’s been a really fun ride.

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

Hwighting! s(^.~)V korean saying, fighting … do your best!! I’m a nerd ….

Favorite pizza toppings:

Pineapple and extra cheese. DEEP DISH!

Cupcakes or ice cream?

Can I have both please? If I had to choose, cupcakes – as long as it was REAL frosting.

What do you like to do when you’re not pole dancing?

I do web graphics and some web design. So, I do my work and then I troll facebook/youtube and play WoW.

Anything else you’d like to share:

If you start poling, please remember that everyone’s body is different. They all move differently, they all learn differently. No one is the same. Some will pick things up easier than others. Please do not get discouraged and quit. You WILL get it! It’s what you put into it. If this is something you want, NO HALF ASSING!

In North Carolina and want to take classes with Chelcie? Great – look her up at Studio X!