Interview with Suzy Q Williams

Suzy Q Williams is the brains behind the Pole Life Documentary which will soon be available for us all to see.  We talk to Suzy to find out more...



1. Tell us about your Pole Life documentary?  Where did the idea come from and how did it come about?
Pole Life is a documentary on the art, history, dance, healing power, and fitness of pole dancing.  I tell my personal story of how pole fitness saved my life and how I wanted to find out the history of pole dancing, its healing power, and to hear stories from top leaders in the world of pole life and from everyday people like you and me.  I watched my father pass away just one hour and forty-five minutes after my thirtieth birthday.  Seeing my father take his last breath changed my life forever and it took me down a road of destruction of alcohol and drug abuse.  Luckily, one day I woke up and realized that my father didn’t raise me to live this way.  I was driving in Hermosa Beach and saw a sign that read "Heart and Pole Fitness Studio."  Not knowing what pole fitness was about other than "pole" being stereotyped as what modern society thinks of it today as exotic dancers at gentlemen clubs, I was intrigued by the word "fitness" associated with "pole."  To my pleasant surprise when I walked into the "Heart and Pole Studio," I was surrounded by positive, strong, supportive women.  They showed me that pole fitness will heal and help someone deal with all the feelings of grieving, hurt, pain, addiction, and a broken heart.  Through the discovery of pole dancing I have met a community that spans around the world through social media.  I realized that if this pole dance sport is international, then I wanted to know more about the culture of the sport, and if it has changed the lives of others in a positive way, like my life has been changed.  You will follow Suzy Q as she travels to Las Vegas, Santa Barbara, Mexico City, and throughout the Los Angeles area interviewing the leaders of the Pole Fitness community and everyday people who do pole fitness to learn more of the history, culture, and stories from men and women from around the world. 

Pole Life came from my youtube videos on youtube.com/suzalump I was keeping track of my progress and recording my performances on youtube.  I started naming my youtube videos “Pole Life” around June 2009 because it was now a big part of my life.  Then when I started film school as a student you had a chance to Direct your own film for graduation.  So, of course I chosen to do a pole documentary.

2. Who from the world of pole features in the documentary?
If I could I would love to travel the world and go to the UK, Russia, Australia, China, and everywhere that has the best of the best but I just can’t swing it financially to go.  So, I did what I could to interview the leaders that I could connect with.  I have interviewed Fawnia Dietrich (Las Vegas Pole Fitness Studio), Jezabel Olmos Lemus (Gravity Pole Fitness Studio Mexico City), Trina Lance (Heart and Pole Hermosa Beach, California), Cat Landry (Heart and Pole Hermosa Beach, California), Jacob Kujo Lyons (Chinese Pole Instructor and Lux Aeterna Dance Company), and several everyday women and men that do pole fitness.  I am not done filming and have a few more interviews to accomplish.  Jenyne Butterfly, Natasha Wang, Nadia Sharif, Amy Guion, and Jagged.

3. When can we see it?
The Pole Life feature will premiere in Las Vegas at PoleExpo on September 6, 2012.  I am waiting for the confirmation but I might be also screening it in the UK.  Details coming soon!  DVD’s will be available for purchase at these conventions, expos, and my website at www.polelifeproductions.com

4. How and when did you first get interested in pole dancing?
I started pole dancing on May 18th, 2009.  I didn’t realize this until my 2 year poleversary came up, but my first class was on my fathers birthday.  Interesting how that worked out.  This year is my 3 year poleversary and I am also performing a solo with Jagged.

5. What is it about pole dancing that you enjoy the most?
What I enjoy about pole dancing the most is the pole community.  We support each other and stand by one another no matter where we are in the world.  If you travel you can walk into a pole studio and we are embraced with a passion and understanding of what we love to do and that is our Pole Life!

6. What are your 3 favourite pole moves and why?
Gosh, my 3 favorite pole moves.  This is tough because I am constantly learning new tricks.  For now I would have to say, Alegra, Superwoman on spinner while spinning close to the ground (You will see this move in a lot of my youtube videos), and cupid.

7.What are the main fitness benefits of pole dancing and how have pole dancing improved your fitness, strength or bodyshape?


The main fitness benefits of pole isn’t just physical but mentally for me saves me in so many ways.  It gives me courage, confidence, strength, and liberation.  Pole dancing did improve my fitness and body because I was abusing drugs and alcohol.  Pole got me sober and gave me the power to a healthier lifestyle.

8.What’s your favourite move for strength training on the pole?
My favorite strength training move on the pole would be actually 2.  The caterpillar push up and the straddle leg lift sit-ups.

9.What pole performers do you admire or inspire you?
By far Jenyne Butterfly (USA), Jamilla Deville (Australia), Natasha Wang (USA), Anastasia Skukhtorova (Russia), Kate Czepulkowski aka Bendy Kate (UK), Oona Kivela (Finland), and my coach Cat Landry (USA).

10. If someone has never tried pole dancing before how do you advise them to get started?
I tell them, “Don’t knock it till you try it!”  Usually the person asking me questions to why I do it as a fitness and they just don’t get it.  I usually drag them to a beginner class or I will teach them in a private at home and they fall in love.  Every time they are blown away to how sore they are and how much fun it is!

11. What’s next for you in the coming year?
Completing Pole Life.  Keep teaching pole.  I just finished and Directed a pole fitness DVD for X Pole US and there are more DVD’s to come!  I would love to open my own pole fitness studio and get the plans finished before the years end but if not this year next year for sure!

Watch the Pole Life Trailer here