Phoenix Hunter

@Phoenix Hunter

started pole dancing a year and a half after a spinal injury and surgery. I had alot of damage to my spinal cord and nervous system that led to me being very disabled for almost 2 years. some of the damage was permanent and some was reversible. I started pole dancing the moment I felt I was able to start moving my body again. I was unsure if I would ever be able regain my grip strength and over come the numbness I have in my hands, arms, feet, and parts of my legs. Pole helped me regain more strength than I even had before my injury. Yes I still suffer from pain and numbness and partial disability but the rest of my body has become more efficient and compensates for the areas I lack in. Pole dancing has changed my life just when I thought my life was over. I have learned to never underestimate myself. I am happier now than I have ever been in my life and pole is the first thing I have ever done that I actually allowed myself to be proud of. All my life I have down played my abilites or talents and put myself down. This is the only thing I have let myself be proud of and brag about to others. I dont really like to call it bragging though. Everything I have accomplished in pole has taken me alot of hard work and dedication and NONE of it came easy to me. In fact, I feel I learned much slower than those around me. I am happy that many people have seen how weak and challenged I was when I first started and then see me grow. I hope to encourage others to break free from their own prison, whether it is with pole or not. I felt my body was a prison to me and my mind as well and I never knew I would break free from that. You can kick life's ass and take back you joy and happiness. This life is meant to be happy and fulfilling. Pole taught me that you can actually acquire talent and skill you dont have to be born with it. Too many times I stopped myself from doing things because I was just not naturally good at them. Allow yourself to suck. Allow yourself to be clumsy as you grow. Accept that "not being good" is a temporary stage that wont get better until you fully own and enjoy that time where you are growing and you may not be good at what you are trying to do. Pole has taught me that just because you arent good right now, doesnt mean you arent gonna be great in the future. I no longer look at things and think "I cant do that" I look at things and think " I could do that if practiced it"