Meet Catarina, winner of Active April 2016 challenge

Meet Catarina, winner of our Active April 2016 pole challenge sponsored by Pole Poised and Pole in Style. Catarina shares with us her story in this interview below.

1. Tell us about yourself.

My name is Catarina but everyone calls me Cina. I am from Stockholm, Sweden and currently working as an accountant for a company within IT sector. I am engaged, have a 15-year-old daughter and two bonus kids.

2. When did you start pole dancing and how did you get into it?

I started pole dancing about three and a half years ago. Like many others I fell in love with pole dancing the first time I tried it. It was actually a male colleague at work who got me into pole. He had tried pole dancing at a bachelor party and told me about it, and that’s when I decided I had to see if it was something for me. I signed up for a free class and a week after I got my own pole at home and I continued to take classes.

3. How did people around you react when they learned that you were doing pole dance?

I haven´t had any negative reactions, but sometimes you have to inform people what pole dancing is, simply because they know nothing about it. Most people have been curious and think it’s a cool sport.

4. What kind of impact has pole dancing made on you and your life?

I have never been as strong as I am today when I´m pole dancing. I’m doing things I never thought I would be able to do at the age of 39 (and that’s one more thing I love about the sport, you can start no matter how old you are).

5. What are your favorite tricks?

I love deadlifts and splits. And handstands. Oh, and spatchcock!

6. What are your nemesis tricks?

Backflip onto the pole (like a backwards handspring), and fonji. Flips really scare me, but one day I will master them too!

7. What are you currently working on? What do you want to achieve?

Right now I´m trying to find my way back to the pole after six months off due to a mysterious injury in my right hip flexor. Once back, my main focus will be achieving confidence, flow and prettier lines.

8. Who are your pole idols?

Oh, I don’t think I can name just a few, there are so many people who inspire me and I constantly find new ones!

9. Pole dance or sport?

Both! I love that there are so many different pole styles! It makes the sport available to everyone and I think the wide spectra of styles are important for the sport to be able to grow and develop.

For me personally, pole hasn’t been about dancing. Simply because I feel it requires a confidence and coordination I haven’t had. That confidence and coordination are on my “to-achieve” list.

10. Any advice to new beginners or those who want to try pole dance.

What are you waiting for? Call the nearest studio and sign up to try! It may be the start of a beautiful journey!

"I love that there are so many different pole styles! It makes the sport available to everyone and I think the wide spectra of styles are important for the sport to be able to grow and develop."