Meet the amazing Vakeisha Wimberly of Ripped4Real.com (you may know her better as Skittles!).

How did you get started pole dancing?

I was a freelance makeup artist working for myself, thinking of something I could do in my down season that I would enjoy and that would make a little extra money. Well, the only think I could think of was my second passion, fitness! I had begun to study for my fitness certification a few years prior and decided to finish. Almost immediately following the completion of my certification, I landed a job at a private women’s gym near my home. It was a perfect match and there I became a well-rounded fitness professional. Just a year before that gym closed for business, they started offering pole dance. I had only taken two of their classes, but it was very intriguing to me. Once they closed, I came across an opportunity to teach mobile pole parties with a small business owner. She provided all the training and equipment for her parties. The first night I took the pole home, I knew I had to have one of my own! I purchased an X-pole and, with the help of youtube and StudioVeena, I was learning on my own!

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

Proper “pole posture” and how to walk around the pole.

See this great video of Vakiesha doing her Third Place winning performance from Polarity!

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

Icy Hot had become one of my best friends when training for my first competition, lol. Though, I had to end that friendship when I later found out that it is not good for flexi-ness. I now enjoy a massage from time to time, and self-stretching.

How would you describe your personal style?

I would describe my personal style as Fitness Oriented. I tend to gravitate to pole moves and tricks that are not seen very often and I always try to think of a unique transition from one move to another.

Favorite makeup tip:

EYEBROWS frame the face, so if nothing else have a nicely done frame on .…

Barefoot, sneakers, or platform heels?

Barefoot mostly.

And another awesome video of Vakiesha – this time of practice clips!

Favorite grip enhancer:

They are all great. I use so many of them – Mighty Grip or Dry Hands on my hands and shoulder. iTac on my shins and knee pits.

Pole dance move that made you proudest to learn:

The Twisted Grip LIFT!!

Pole dance pet peeves:

Unpointed toes … most moves that involve my toes unpointed look a little off.

Favorite treatment for bruises and sore muscles:

BenGay for sore muscles .…

Favorite music to pole dance to:

Depends on my mood … I like dubstep radio on itunes when I’m at home practicing.

Weirdest place you’ve ever poled:

School playground. I haven’t gotten that adventurous yet.

Pre-performance rituals:

I listen to my performance song and any other motivational song to mentally get in the zone of being on stage. Physically, I do push-ups and pike presses to keep my body warm just before going out.

Yet one more video of Vakiesha playing on the pole!

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

My perfect audience would include my family; husband, mother, and father, my sponsors; Torwa Joe and the Vertical Joes team, Anita of Destiny’s Closet, Christina Turner of House of Pole, and all my pole buddies!

Who is your hero or role model?

My role model is Torwa Joe of Vertical Joes Fitness. To me, she exemplifies all of the qualities that I value and aspire to do in life. She is giving, thoughtful, and a pole beast!!! She owns Vertical Joes Fitness in Atlanta, GA and has gone from just another poler I admired on Youtube when I began poling, to a major contributor to myself in the pole world today.

What are your favorite words of encouragement?

Success is a journey, not a destination.

Favorite pizza toppings:

Pepperoni.

Cupcakes or ice cream?

Why not have them together, haha!

Strangest pole dancing question/comment you’ve ever received:

I haven’t been asked any strange pole questions..

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

Eat, watch reality tv shows, and spend time with my family.

Anything else you’d like to share:

Thank you for the opportunity to be featured on the PoleSkivvies website. I used the pole performance tips featured on PoleSkivvies to get myself prepared for competitions. Thank you for your contributions to the pole world!

And thank you, Vakiesha!! And for those of you who want to see even more of Vakeisha on the pole – or set up a pole party with her – check out her website, Ripped4Real.com, or find her on Youtube or Facebook.

P.S. Click here to see how you can be featured in a PoleSkivvies interview, too!