I met Louise at the 2010 Pole Convention during my talk on stage fright. If you were in the audience, I bet you remember her, too, because, when I was asking the crowd to share their own tips for dealing with performance jitters, Louise came up with the best idea I’d ever heard of: scream.

Yep, she recommends screaming and letting the anxiety roll through you before you go on stage. I loved it so much, I brought her to the podium and we got everyone in the crowd to stand up and give it a try. Here’s your chance to get to know this awesome pole dancer!

How did you get started learning to pole dance?

I always wanted to learn how to pole dance when I was in my 20′s, but pole dancing was limited to the strip clubs back then. A couple years ago, I passed by a little gym that had a sign for pole dancing classes. I was so excited. I called them up the next day and showed up to my first class that week.

How do you learn (pole dancing classes, DVD, Youtube …)?

I took classes at a gym that had one pole in it. I got hooked in about a month and bought my own pole. I went to the gym for about a year until it closed. Since then, myself and a few pole friends started gathering at my house once a week to try whatever new freaky thing one of us saw on youtube.

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

Pole dancing is what I do in my spare time, but, if I’m not doing that, I’m usually hanging out with my dog.

What is your dream for yourself in pole dancing?

I want to pole dance on a volcano. I know that sounds really weird, but I’m a geologist. I did my Ph.D. on volcanoes in Central America and it would be so cool to combine two of my favorite things.

Favorite makeup tip:

Sadly I’m not a very good girly girl. I don’t like makeup because it takes too much effort and doesn’t go well with working out. That being said, you can never go wrong with tons of dark eyeliner and lipstick.

Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?

Always, always, always platform heels. To me, it’s not pole dancing if you aren’t wearing some sexy hooker heels.

Favorite grip enhancer:

I really like spinning and most of the grips make that hard. I only use grip enhancers if trying something new. When I dance, I just rub my hands on my boobs or butt, in a very sexy way, of course, to dry them off.

Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:

Every time I learn a new move, that becomes my new proudest, but I would have to say just inverting. It took me close to a year to finally invert and now I spend most of my time upside down on the pole.

Pole dance pet peeves:

I hate shoeless pole dancing. Just practicing or dinking around barefoot is fine, but I hate looking on the bottom of someone’s dirty foot during a performance.

Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:

I have so many bruises, it’s too much trouble to hide them. Besides, they are my pole dancing battle scars and I show them off with pride.

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

I would like every one of my ex’s in the audience, so they can eat their hearts out.

Who is your hero or role model?

I think I’ve outgrown the hero/role model stage of my life. I don’t want to be anyone else. I just want to be the best I can be. I can’t really do anymore than that.

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

If pole doesn’t hurt, you’re not trying hard enough.

Favorite pizza toppings:

Garlic and onions!

Cupcakes or ice cream?

My favorite is just straight chocolate. Cupcakes and ice cream have too much healthy stuff in them – eggs, milk … I just want my chocolate undiluted.

Anything else you’d like to share:

Pole Dancing Rocks!!!

You can find more of Louise and her pole dancing on Youtube!