Freyja W

Pole dance to Pole dance and how I have no chill

I’m doing The Push-Up Challenge because mental health awareness is something that’s deeply personal to me.

I am an AuDHD (ADHD + autistic) woman in her mid 30's with a colourful history of childhood trauma and mental health struggles. Thankfully with age, experience, and nearly 20 years of intense therapy work, this beast is one I can laugh about and bend to my will. I also bounce back sooner & stronger when it bites 😌

A little history related to my healthier experience with movement as an adult.. Back in 2019, after a particularly long state of burnout, I was struggling physically and mentally due to Graves’ disease with the reality of losing access to my ADHD medication if I didn't gain weight. I needed to lower my stress levels, build muscle, and get my strength back. I expected a workout (physically struggled to get out of bed the next day) but I truly didn’t expect it to completely change my life and the way I saw myself. Pole taught me that my body wasn’t something to constantly criticise or “fix”, but rather that it was an ever evolving vessel that is capable of incredible things. Strength. Art. Expression. Sensuality. Resilience. Joy.

The experience became such a huge part of my healing that I eventually became a pole and dance instructor myself. I eventually pushed myself to train and perform burlesque acts in both classic and neo styles (although I am still very much baby). Ended up taking a break from performing tthis year to focus on some foundational skills so I began graded ballet classes. This is where I met a truly wonderful person who invited me along to join Wielkopolska Polish Folk Dance Group in Canberra. Apparently collecting dance styles is one of my personality traits. I won't list them all, this is already becoming verbose enough 😅

One of the things I’m most passionate about as an instructor is helping people appreciate their bodies for what they can do, not just how they look. Working together with other adult students to help the own journey of discovering more self confidence, strength, creativity, and patience is an unbeatable feeling. Dance and movement gave me a sense of connection, community, and self-worth that I never expected to find, and I love being able to share that with others. The pole community especially is truly special; I have yet to feel or witness the same level of honesty, collaboration, and shared joy anywhere else than the studio I called home 🥹

Movement is a huge part of managing my mental health and wellbeing, and I truly believe that moving our bodies in ways that bring joy can significantly impact our lives for the better. Mental health struggles are real, exhausting, and often invisible, which is why challenges like this matter so much. Supporting each other to grow, celebrate the wins of others, try new things, keep a beginner mindset, and explore our inner selves makes such a huge difference in community spaces 🩷

So! I'll be smashing out push-ups/squats/sit ups and whatever else I can muster physically alongside my already physical schedule to raise money for mental health support and awareness. If you’d like to donate, or encourage me while I dramatically reconsider my choices halfway through the challenge, I’d really appreciate it! 🙏

Kisses! 💋

-Freyja (Mishka Mink)