Jamie

I didn't like my body for a long time. My mom was really hard on me, very harsh about what I ate and what I looked like, so I just didn't like myself. When I first started getting tattoos, I think I was looking for a way to appreciate my body - and for a while, the tattoos were the only thing I liked about my body.⠀

But I started doing pole classes this past year, and it's really helped me feel better about myself. A friend of mine talked me into trying a class, and I just fell in love with it. I've never been into anything really physical, but it's so satisfying trying something once, not getting it, then coming back the next week and getting it. There are moves I couldn't do a couple of months ago that I've revisited, and I can do them now.⠀

I'm also a lot more patient with myself. I used to get really frustrated with my eating habits, and I struggled with an eating disorder for a long time. Being a server really messes with your eating schedule too, and I'd just get by on coffee and an order of fries. ⠀

I noticed myself eating full meals, and I noticed that I was gaining weight- but really, I was just getting healthier. Pole had helped me feel really strong, and I feel good about myself. There's definitely been a shift.