🎉 Season finale! In episode 25, I sit down with Anna Strok, dancer and teacher from Warsaw, Poland. Anna talks about starting from ballroom dance, transitioning through go-go and high heels, and eventually finding her home in Frame Up Strip. Anna, previously a founder of the iconic Total Strip Weekend in Belarus, shares what it’s like teaching in Poland, leading her team “Cablook,” and her dream of creating powerful community spaces across Europe. Expect stories about failing forward, sexy choreos, and building art with heart ❤️

Anna’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.strok_dance/

Cablook instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cablook_dance/

00:00 Intro – Episode 25 and welcoming Anna Strok

01:00 Anna’s dance beginnings – ballroom to go-go to heels

03:00 Discovering Frame Up Strip and falling in love with it

05:00 Creating the Total Strip Weekend competition in Belarus

07:00 Growing the Frame Up community from scratch

08:30 Moving to Warsaw and starting from zero again

10:00 Her project ‘Cablook’ – building a team and student family

12:00 What ‘Cablook’ means & her open-level teaching approach

13:00 Teaching at camps and conventions across Europe

14:00 Competing with her team in World of Dance and Stage 18+ Prague

15:00 Planning to compete solo for the first time

16:30 What’s next: organizing events, growing skills, and new choreos

17:30 Her choreo process and why music is everything

18:30 Signature style: sexy, soft, and emotional

19:00 Advice for beginners – start in socks, don’t be afraid

20:00 Boots or sandals? And her Frame Up inspirations

21:00 Favorite learning experiences

23:00 Describing Frame Up in one word: “Expressing yourself”

24:00 Her favorite teaching memory – owning her own dance hall

25:00 Fun fact: she used to hate heels!

26:00 Final message: more kindness, more support, more community

28:00 Wrap-up and thank you!

What happens when a disciplined ballerina turns rebellious and blends technique with raw emotion? 🖤 Meet Vivian Voss from Greece — creator of "Experimental Erotica" and one of our original voices in the European Frame Up scene. From founding Greece’s first contemporary pole group to building her spider-inspired dance community, Vivian shares her story of unapologetic artistry, risk-taking, and how she teaches dancers to embrace their erotic expression.

Vivian’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivianvoss_/

Experimental Erotica's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/experimental.erotica/

00:00 Intro & meet Vivian Voss

01:00 Dance beginnings: from ballet to contemporary

03:00 Why she created Experimental Erotica

06:00 First encounters with Frame Up Strip

08:00 Teaching in Greece: challenges & growth

10:00 The story behind "dada dolls" and her clothing line

12:00 How she got the nickname Spider Mother

14:00 Teaching at Greece’s High Heels Convention

16:00 Competing at Pole Theater

17:00 Future plans: growing the community and hosting more intensives

19:00 Her first self-organized erotic intensive weekend

20:00 Style focus: eroticism, musicality & spider movements

22:00 Advice for new students: "Be a blank canvas"

23:00 Manifesting through dance & why technique matters

25:00 Boots or sandals? + Frame Up inspirations

27:00 Favorite learning moment: Strip Stars Camp Poland

28:00 Her own choreo favorites & signature moments

29:00 Fun fact

31:00 Final message: Try new things, embrace your identity

Calling all dance nerds 🎧 In this episode, we go deep into the making of a dancer. Liza opens up about growing up with a musical family, quitting ballet, moving countries, and rediscovering her power through Frame Up. Her take on musicality, being part of community, and choreographing will resonate with anyone who's ever been obsessed with dance. We talk passion, pressure, socks vs no socks (yes, really), and what it takes to truly own your growth. This is one of our most inspiring convos yet! Plus, she shares what it meant to be recognized by the same people who first inspired her — a true full circle moment

Liza’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foxmakarova/

Liza's telegram channel: https://t.me/+Vt0d2Vs-MYjBTUnM

00:00 Intro

03:00 Childhood ballet & music roots

08:00 Discovering hip hop and joining her first crew

10:00 Moving to Prague & rekindling dance

12:30 Frame Up: how she found the style and her mentors

17:00 Teaching vs. training – how both shaped her

19:00 Joining Poison crew & developing her own style

22:00 Frame Up Convention Moscow – certificates & surprises

25:00 Creating her own choreo group ‘Charisma’

28:00 Preparing for competitions & dancing solo

30:00 Winning in Prague & the power of performance

33:00 World of Dance Greece – international experiences

36:00 Liza’s upcoming teaching tour

38:00 Her unique style: musicality, legs, aggression

44:00 Advice to beginners: don’t panic, enjoy the process

46:00 Quick-fire Q&A: sandals or boots, inspirations & more

53:00 Frame Up in one word? Passion.

In episode 22 of Strip Journey, I talk to Maria, the official Frame Up representative in Switzerland. Maria shares her unique journey from growing up in a conservative family to finding her passion for dance after graduating as a medical doctor. She delves into her experiences with dance forms like pole dance, jazz funk, and her love for Frame Up. Maria discusses the challenges of introducing Frame Up in Switzerland, her approach to teaching, and how her medical and musical background complements her dance instruction. She reflects on her competitive experiences, future plans, and the supportive nature of the European dance community.

Maria’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_walking_muse/

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:19 Meet Maria: Frame Up Representative

01:00 Maria's Dance Journey

02:39 Teaching Frame Up in Switzerland

06:25 Medical Background and Teaching Approach

09:03 Competitions and Future Plans

17:06 Teaching Beginners

19:16 Frame Up Icons and Inspirations

21:19 Favorite Choreographies and Classes

23:41 Memorable Moments as a Dance Teacher

26:06 Messages for Listeners

27:02 Comparing Dance Conventions

28:59 Conclusion and Farewell

In this special episode, I talk about my experience at the 5th Frame Up Strip CZ convention and the first Stage 18+ competition. I talk about the classes we had at the convention with our amazing teachers Ira Podshivalova, Baina Basanova, Aleksandra Demianova and Eve, and then I give a quick round up of the amazing competition we had in Prague. And of course, there are statements from Eve, our organiser and participants in the Stage 18+ competition, including pro winner Liza Makarova, team Shafran and pro polers Christiana and Amie.

As usual, I had a great time and learned a lot and I hope to see you at one of the upcoming events!

Frame Up Strip CZ’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frameupstrip_cz/

Stage 18+ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stage__18/

00:00 Welcome to Strip Journey

00:31 Convention Highlights: Day One

04:54 Convention Highlights: Day Two

08:50 Organizer's Insights: short interview with Eve

13:00 Stage 18+ competition begins

13:30 Frame Up Solo Beginners category

14:20 Frame Up Solo Pro category

15:09 Interview with the Solo Pro Champion Liza Makarova

16:59 Pole dance champions hooked on Frame Up

17:24 Pro competitor Christiana Koulouma

18:55 Pro competitor Amie Alma

20:37 Small Groups category

21:25 Team Shafran interview

26:59 Big Groups category

28:15 Thank you to the organiser

29:55 Conclusion and see you next time

In episode 21 of Strip Journey, I welcome Mariia from Belgrade, Serbia, who shares her dance journey and experience. Mariia talks about starting dance at a young age, focusing on cheerleading and ending up in Frame Up strip. She discusses her experience of moving to Belgrade, introducing Frame Up strip to the local community, forming a dedicated dance team, and participating in international and local competitions. Mariia emphasizes the importance of persistence, community building, and continuous learning in achieving success in dance. This episode portraits the growing Frame Up community and creating a new dance niche in Serbia.

Mariia’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masha_mahich/

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:15 Guest Introduction: Mariia from Serbia

00:49 Mariia's Dance Journey

03:31 Joining Frame Up and Teaching in Belgrade

06:22 Challenges and Growth in Teaching

09:02 Convention Experiences and Certifications

13:18 Competitions and Performances

17:49 Building and Leading a Dance Team

21:02 Future Plans and Community Building

27:05 Personal Insights and Advice

33:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In episode 20 of the 'Strip Journey' podcast, I re-visit Prague with an insightful conversation with Yana. Yana, an IT project manager and Frame Up dancer originally from Kazakhstan, shares her journey into the world of dance. She discusses her initial foray into various dance styles and her switch to frame-up dancing inspired by teachers in Prague and Russia. Yana delves into her experience with team dancing, including her involvement with Poison team in Prague, and the challenges she faced due to a knee injury. She introduces her project 'Ultima Thule' aimed at creating a collaborative dance space for artistic expressions. Sharing her creative process, the support structure of her team, and her aspirations for upcoming projects, Yana offers practical advice and inspiration for dancers interested in creative projects.

Yana’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasha_vasha

Ultima Thule instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultima.thule.art

Ultima Thule website: https://www.ultimathuleart.com/

Ultima Thule YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ultimathuleart

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:35 Guest Introduction: Meet Yana

01:21 Yana's Dance Journey

04:32 Joining Frame Up Team Poison

06:12 The Birth of Project Ultima Thule

07:44 Ultima Thule's First Dance Case

09:02 The Academy Format

10:55 Building a Creative Team

13:46 Future Plans for Ultima

17:19 Teaching and Personal Development

18:34 Creative Process and Inspirations

19:55 Advice for Aspiring Dancers

21:43 Frame Up Icons and Preferences

23:14 Favorite Projects and Choreos

26:34 Memorable Moments

30:08 The Growth of Frame Up in Europe

33:29 Final Thoughts and Messages

In episode 19 of Strip Journey, we go back to Germany by inviting Anna from Frankfurt. Anna shares her inspiring journey from starting her dance career at 18 in Moscow to becoming a dance teacher. Despite facing challenges, such as a lack of initial support and starting late, Anna pursued her passion. She details her transition to Frankfurt, the struggle to find dance communities and suitable studios, and her efforts to introduce Frame Up style in a new environment. Anna's story highlights the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and adapting to new circumstances while chasing one's dreams.

Anna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaslide/

00:00 Introduction to Episode 19

00:18 Anna's Dance Start

00:54 First Dance Experiences and Challenges

04:02 Teaching and Expanding Skills

09:03 Frame Up

21:07 Transition to Frankfurt

28:44 Dance Competitions in Europe

29:32 Challenges of Teaching Dance in Frankfurt

30:26 Comparing Dance Levels Across Cities

31:12 Struggles with Dance Studios in Frankfurt

32:49 The Importance of Musicality in Dance

34:20 Observations on Dance Teachers and Techniques

37:43 Experiences in Dance Competitions

38:01 Differences in Competition Structures

41:13 Growing Dance Community in Europe

50:11 Advice for Aspiring Dancers