Zen breaks down pole dance shoes — Pleasers, Hella Heels, and heel heights — in this watch-worthy episode.

In this episode, Zen gives a practical breakdown of pole dance footwear and why your shoes matter just as much as your grip. She compares Pleasers and Hella Heels, explains how different heel heights (6”, 7”, 8”) affect your movement, and shares tips for choosing the right pair for your style and level.

This is a visual episode: if you can, watch the video version to actually see the differences between brands and heel heights demonstrated side by side.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first pair or an experienced dancer curious about upgrading your collection, this guide will help you find the right shoes to support both your movement and your artistry.

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• Harry Potter–themed comedy pole show with Christina Kalf (Zen as Moaning Myrtle) – September

• PSO Competition in Los Angeles – September

• Secret Pole Dance Studio Halloween Showcase – October

• Ladies of Leisure Halloween Pole Party – October

  
  

  Pleasers IG: @pleasershoes

  Hella Heels IG: @clubhellaheels

  
  

  If you found this episode interesting, please like, comment and share!

In this episode, Zen sits down with Brian Riegel, a true pioneer in the pole community. With more than a decade of experience, Brian was one of the early male performers to step onto a pole stage — challenging stereotypes and carving out space for men in a predominantly female art form.

Brian shares how his journey with pole began as an act of rebellion, a bold decision to push back against expectations and embrace something unconventional. What started as defiance soon turned into a deep source of expression, discipline, and community. Over the years, his passion for pole has taken him across the world — including competing in China, where he represented the artistry and athleticism of the sport on a global stage.

In this conversation, Brian opens up about:

• Why he first turned to pole as a way to break rules and claim his identity

• What it was like to be one of the few men in pole a decade ago

• How his motivations shifted over time, from rebellion to resilience and joy

• His experience competing in China and what he learned from the international community

• Why he encourages everyone to just “give it a try” — because you never know where it will take you

This is a conversation about risk, reinvention, and the unexpected power of saying yes to something new. Brian’s story proves that sometimes the very act of stepping out of line can lead you to your truest self.

✨ Connect with Brian on Instagram @riegelbrian

If his journey inspires you, please share this episode with someone who might need the courage to take their own first step.

Start your movement journey at home! Get the FREE Pole Dance Starter Kit at www.gexpolearts.com and use the discount code "FREE"

Pole progress isn’t about checking off a list of moves someone else decided you “should” learn—it’s about finding the movements that work for you and leaning into them.

In this solo episode, Nancy (aka Zen) invites you to ditch the frustration of forcing your body into shapes that don’t align with its current strengths, proportions, or flexibility. Instead, she encourages you to discover what comes naturally, build on it, and watch your progress accelerate.

It’s a mindset shift that brings more joy, more confidence, and more breakthroughs—on the pole and beyond. Plus, Nancy shares details about her upcoming beginner pole & movement workshop in Newburgh, NY, and other events on the horizon.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How to identify the moves and styles that work best for your body

• Why chasing “should” moves can lead to frustration and stagnation

• The benefits of playing to your strengths to build confidence and momentum

• Reframing success to focus on joy, curiosity, and personal growth

• Details about the next upcoming beginner pole & movement workshop in Newburgh, NY

• A sneak peek at more workshops and events coming soon

💬 Favorite quote:

“If we’re having fun and learning about ourselves each time we step into the studio, that is success.”

What happens when a lifelong artist, activist, and interfaith minister decides to live unapologetically in her feminine power? In this unfiltered and magnetic conversation, Nancy sits down with Felicia to talk about creative rebellion, personal evolution, and the choice to step boldly into authenticity—especially as we get older.

From her decades-spanning career in the arts to her calling as a spiritual leader, Felicia’s story is a testament to living on your own terms and refusing to shrink for anyone. They discuss the courage it takes to navigate life transitions, the joy of self-expression, and the fire of feminine energy in a patriarchal world.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Felicia’s unexpected path to becoming an interfaith minister

• A lifetime of artistry across multiple mediums

• How activism fuels her work and community leadership

• Navigating life transitions with authenticity and power

• Reclaiming feminine energy without apology

• Plans for a future in-person experience with Nancy

Favorite quote:

“I don’t know how I got here, but it feels like where I’m supposed to be—so I’m going to keep going.”

If you enjoyed this episode, please share, "like", and comment to let us know!

You can follow Felicia's journey on IG: @feliciatheartist_

Contact Shana at shana@shanapereira.com

Follow on IG @shana_pereira

Information on the living donor evaluation process https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/living-donor-transplant/care-at-mayo-clinic/pcc-20384790

In this deeply inspiring episode, Nancy is joined by Shana Pereira—speaker, resilience advocate, and double organ transplant survivor. Shana shares her powerful story of surviving heart and kidney failure, the emotional toll of waiting for a match, and the rebirth that followed.

Together, they explore what it means to reclaim your life, your body, and your voice after physical and emotional trauma. From vulnerability to empowerment, medical advocacy to embodiment, this conversation is a masterclass in courage and healing.

What we cover in this episode:

• Shana’s journey through heart and kidney failure

• The spiritual and emotional transformation of surviving the impossible

• Why reclaiming your body through movement is essential for healing

• The symbolic power of pole dance in recovery and joy

• How storytelling and visibility create life-saving impact

• A call to action: help us get Shana a new kidney and into the pole studio!

• How to get tested as a living donor—from anywhere in the world

Favorite quote:
“Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s your superpower.”

➡️ Share this episode to amplify Shana’s voice and help her reach the right person, or people, to help her to continue her life's journey and eventually get her into the dance studio.

In this inspiring episode of Fit, Fierce & Fearless, host Zen (Nancy Adzentoivich) sits down with the elegant and magnetic Lord Moni Skyy — pole dancer, instructor, and embodiment of grace and quiet power.

Together, they explore what it means to come home to your body, embrace authentic beauty, and express strength through softness, intention, and self-acceptance.

Topics in this episode:

• Using movement to reconnect with your body and presence

• What it means to honor your story and show up fully

• The difference between performative beauty and embodied confidence

• Moni’s unique teaching approach rooted in empowerment and elegance

• Why strength doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful

Favorite quotes:
“You can be soft and still be powerful.”
“Strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet, steady, and deeply personal.”

Connect with Lord Moni Skyy:
IG: @moni.skyy

Connect with GenX Pole Arts:
www.genxpolearts.comIG: @genxpolearts

If this episode resonated with you:
Share it, rate the show, and tag us on Instagram with your favorite moment.

In this heartfelt solo episode, Nancy comes to you straightfrom the stunning new Casa Pole Dance studio in Newburgh, NY, the day before a sold-out GenX Pole Arts beginner workshop. Surrounded by chrome poles, sparklypasties, and serious anticipation, she shares what it means to create spaces where women over 40 can rediscover movement, joy, and confidence—sometimes forthe first time in decades.

She also gets real about the highs and lows of the week:losing her beloved 16-year-old dog Spike, battling college financial aid, and managing arthritis and sciatica flare-ups. But as always, the episode is grounded in hope, creativity, and community.

Quote to Remember:

“I wasn’t going to record this week, but I walked into thisspace and I knew—I needed to share this moment with you.”

Coming Next Week:A conversation with a breathtaking performer and pole artist Nancy recently shared the stage with. (Trust us, you don’t want to miss her.)

Stay Connected:
IG: @genxpolearts
Comment, DM or email Nancy with your thoughts, questions, or love.

Please subscribe, rate, and review to help the podcast grow!

Welcome to Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, the podcast by GenX Pole Arts! I’m Zen (Nancy Adzentoivich), here to celebrate women over 40 finding strength, confidence, and community through pole dancing.

In this episode, I got to do something really special—I brought together the original crew of OG Pole Babes: Shay, Firebird, Dee, Mimi, Teresa, and Stella. These are the women I started this journey with. They’ve inspired me, supported me, and helped shape GenX Pole Arts into what it is today.

We talk about everything—how discipline leads to freedom, how pole unlocked our creative sides, and how we’ve all grown not just as dancers, but as women, artists, and friends. There are some laughs, a few tears, and a whole lot of love in this conversation.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why discipline on the pole creates the freedom to express yourself
• How pole helped us discover (or rediscover) our creativity
• What it means to find confidence in your 40s, 50s, and beyond
• The deep connection and support that comes from a strong community of women
• Honoring our pole sisters who’ve passed—and how they live on through us
• Reclaiming our feminine energy through movement
• Why feeling sexy isn’t just allowed—it’s essential

If you’ve ever felt like it’s “too late” to start something new or express yourself creatively—this episode is for you. We’re proof that you’re never too old, too out of shape, or too “unsexy” to begin again. You just need a community that believes in you—and I hope we can be that for you.

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If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start your journey... this is it. Whether you’re looking for a confidence boost, a creative outlet, or just want to feel more at home in your body, the GenX Pole Dance Starter Kit has you covered. No experience or equipment needed—you can begin right at home.

👉 Head to www.genxpolearts.com to sign up and take your first step today.

🌎 And don’t forget—we’ve got online classes, a supportive virtual community, and in-person workshops coming up in Newburgh, NY and New Mexico! Stay tuned and get involved.

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‍‍‍‍If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your support helps uplift and empower more women over 40 in the pole dance community and beyond!