My very first pole dance DVD was by Fawnia. I had just gotten my pole installed and had no idea what to do. What I remember is Fawnia’s smiling encouragement and her ability to make me feel like, no problem, with a little work, I’d get there! So it was a huge thrill to meet her in person at the DC Pole Convention. She was gracious enough to do this interview – and I think you’ll find, as I did, that she is just as sweet as she seems – and even more amazing!

How did you get started pole dancing?

I began pole dancing in 1994 when I started working as an exotic dancer. I start teaching when I learned my first move (which I called the Fireman Spin). There were no other schools, so I created one.

You were one of the very first people to bring pole dancing into the mainstream. How did you get on that path, and how has it changed for you since then?

Being the first pole teacher as a whole (to exotic dancers and everyday women) has been amazing because I have met so many amazing people from around the world. I am so grateful to have my health and now, 16 years later I am still going strong and still learning! I am thankful for being alive and having been given the gift of learning the art of pole dancing.

In addition to pole, you are an international champion in body building and figure competitions. Tell us about that!

When I lost 30 pounds from pole dancing, people started saying that I should compete in physique shows. I began lifting weights and, in 1999, competed in my first show. Previous to fitness, I competed as an exotic dancer and swimsuit model. Below is my contest history:

Fawnia’s Competitive History
2nd Place 2009 Fitness America – Figure Short
2nd Place 2009 Canadian Fitness and Figure Nationals – Figure Medium
3rd Place 2008 Canadian Fitness and Figure Nationals – Figure Medium
1st Place 2007 Canadian Fitness and Figure Nationals – Figure Medium
1st Place 2006 Best Legs Las Vegas, Rainbow Bar & Grill
5th Place 2006 Emerald Cup Figure 5’3”- 5’4”
1st Place 2005 BC Championships – Figure Short
2005 NPC Pittsburgh Amateur & Pro Show – up to 5’4”
3rd Place 2005 Emerald Cup Figure 5’3” – 5’4”
9th place 2004 Canadian Nationals – Figure Medium
5th place 2003 Sophie’s Swimwear Pageant
2nd place 2003 BC Championships Figure – Figure Short
1st place 1999 Muscle & Fitness Mania Women’s Lightweight Bodybuilding
1st place Miss Nude Internet 1999
3rd Miss Hawaiian Topic – British Columbia, Canada 97and 99
1st Miss Nude B.C. 95/96 (Dancing)
1st Miss Nude Western Canada 95/96 (Dancing)
1st North American Exotic Dance Champion (Dancing)
1st Canada’s Rookie of the Year 95/96 (Dancing)
1st Canada’s Western Champion 95/96 (Dancing)
1st Canada’s Edmonton Champion 95/96 (Dancing)
1st Miss Nude Amateur World 95/96 (Dancing)
4th place 1994 BC Championships Freestyle Wrestling

I plan on competing again, but, for now, would like to start a family. I will keep you posted, PoleSkivvies!

How do you take care of yourself, given all you do?

My most important tips which I follow:

1. Drink lots of water
2. Eat foods in their most natural state possible and make sure I have a protein, carb, and fat in each meal.
3. Sleep eight hours each night.

Also, before I get too run down I take time for me and enjoy a pedicure or a massage.

Favorite makeup tip:

Moisturize morning and night and use mascara. Two important items to looking fresh and awake. To save time, people with a fair complexion may want to dye their lashes dark. Also make sure your eye brows are groomed with at least a clear brow gel or clear mascara. Eye brows do frame the face, so make sure they are shaped nicely.

Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?

When I teach, I prefer to wear sparkly running shoes and, if I forget my shoes, I’ll wear black socks.

For performing, you may see me in heels, but never platforms. Believe it or not, but platforms are a shoe that I am not used to wearing!

From my days as a dancer, I wore 4 – 6” heels, but with no platform in the front. I love the look of leg warmers and will be sporting those this fall in the studio (for the classes where my legs on the pole are not required).

For everyone else in my classes, anything goes! I want people to wear what makes them happy.

Favorite grip enhancer:

I love Mighty Grip, Firm Grip spray, Dry Hands, and itak2. These are the products currently in the studio, and, yes, we have Mighty Grip gloves, in black, pink and hot pink. The gloves have been a life saver for many of my students.

Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:

Well, my handstands just came naturally to me, once I lost 30 pounds. So I am proud to have lost the weight and have kept it off through pole dancing. Reverse super girl, side climbs, and knee holds are ones I am very proud of, and took many tries to finally get. I am working on a few moves right now for upcoming performances; yes, I still perform and I am always learning. This is what makes pole dancing so interesting and fun!

Pole dance pet peeves:

From a teacher stand point, unless given permission, I find it very distracting when students who are at an advanced level come to a beginner class and start inverting.

Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:

To prevent bruising, I eat a lot of spinach and I am a firm believer there is some sort of correlation with the vitamin K in spinach and bruise prevention. Needless to say, I rarely ever bruise, even when learning a new move. When I am sore, I will take two Advil, have a massage, and at least two days off from teaching, and sleep as much as I can.

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

Madonna! She has been my inspiration since I was just eight years old and I love what she has done for inspiring women. She has been an amazing role model for me and I hope she and I will meet face to face so I can teach her “The Madonna,” which she already does in her music videos, without a pole.

Who is your hero or role model?

My mother is my hero, because she had so many obstacles stacked against her growing up. At the age of six weeks old she had meningitis, which left her with blindness in her left eye, a deformed left hand, and her body stopped growing on her left side when she was 16. Also, at 16, she started experiencing seizures, which she takes medication for several times a day. On the bright side, I have seen her dancing and my mother can dance! She has great rhythm and has been a supporter in my career from day one.

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

I love this quote and have it on a plaque above my bedroom door. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

Favorite pizza toppings:

I love vegetarian, thin crust pizza.

Cupcakes or ice cream?

Ice cream with chunks of cookie dough inside. I love Dairy Queen Blizzards and enjoy one or two a year, such as after a fitness contest. We do have great cupcakes in Vegas, though. Visit Cupcakery, OMG!

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

I love weight training, which I do maybe only once a month. I used to live in the gym but now have little time or energy for conventional weight training. I also enjoy watching movies, writing, and napping.

Anything else you’d like to share:

Also, I want to thank all women and men who enjoy pole dancing and those that support them. I fell in love with the pole 16 years ago and still remember my first time on stage and my first successful fireman spin. It brings tears of happiness to my eyes to see how far we have come. Pole dancers worldwide are uniting to bring pole dancing to the Olympics at PoleSports.org and, thanks to the Pole Fitness Association, the pole dancing community is coming together and legitimizing pole dancing as a form of fitness and expression. Also, check out Vertical Pole Challenge, America’s hottest reality show, and enter in this amazing contest, to be aired on national television, and win $25,000! Thank you, PoleSkivvies, for this interview. Big Hugs!

If you are lucky enough to be in Las Vegas or any place Fawnia is giving a workshop, jump at the chance to take it! Find her online at PoleFitnessStudio.com and PoleDancingLasVegas.net.