Fit, Fierce and Fearless, presented by GenX Pole Arts Podcast By Zen cover art

Fit, Fierce and Fearless, presented by GenX Pole Arts

Fit, Fierce and Fearless, presented by GenX Pole Arts

By: Zen
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Welcome to the GenX Pole Arts Podcast, where we celebrate the strength, resilience, and potential of women over 40 and the vibrant world of pole dance and pole fitness! When you are Fit, Fierce and Fearless you recognize that your passion knows no age. Each week, we’ll connect with inspiring women who are redefining what it means to thrive in their 40s and beyond. From incredible stories of personal transformation to tips on building strength and confidence, we’ll explore the boundless possibilities that pole dancing offers for self-expression and empowerment and women supporting women.Zen Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Episode 45: From hesitant to fearless: Stephanie’s journey to confidence - her GenX Pole Arts Exp

    Episode 45: From hesitant to fearless: Stephanie’s journey to confidence - her GenX Pole Arts Exp
    Dec 15 2025

    In this episode of Fit, Fierce, and Fearless, I sit down with Stephanie—an incredibly strong, honest, and inspiring woman I met at one of my GenX PoleArts Intro to Movement & Pole Dance Workshops.

    Stephanie shares her journey of rediscovering herself after leaving a relationship where she felt unable to fully be who she was. At 56 years old, she’s built nearly 7 pounds of muscle, won a gym competition, and decided it was time to say yes to curiosity instead of fear—including walking into her very first pole class.

    What We Talk About

    • Overcoming intimidation, fear, and self-doubt

    • The importance of supportive instructors and inclusive studio spaces

    • How pole fitness builds not just physical strength, but confidence in everyday life

    • Why bruises (“pole kisses”) are badges of honor

    • Letting go of judgment—your own and others’

    • The mindset shift that comes with choosing yourself

    • Living without regrets and embracing the power of “What if?”

    Stephanie’s message is clear and powerful: don’t wait, don’t wonder—just go for it. Whether it’s pole dancing, trying a new fitness class, or stepping into any long-held curiosity, this conversation is a reminder that growth happens when we choose courage over comfort.

    ✨ If you’re on the fence about trying pole—or anything new—this episode is for you.

    Start your journey today!

    • Want to try pole? Join a class at your local studio or download the free GenX Pole Arts Starter Kit⁠ to begin exploring at home.

    • Visit the Linktree for links for upcoming workshops, YouTube videos, and resources to support your pole journey.


    If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to share, subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your support helps uplift and empower more women over 40 in the pole dance community and beyond!
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    37 mins
  • Episode 44: Strength, Skill, and Self-Belief with Fran of Body by Fran

    Episode 44: Strength, Skill, and Self-Belief with Fran of Body by Fran
    Dec 8 2025
    In this episode, I sit down with Fran, the powerhouse coach behind Body by Fran — a trainer, pole athlete, physique competitor, and educator who has built a reputation for transforming bodies and mindsets with equal intensity.We explore her evolution from passionate mover to competitive pole athlete to certified bodybuilding coach, and how she blends these worlds to help her clients build strength, mobility, body awareness, and unapologetic confidence. We also talk about her signature certification program for pole instructors, created to elevate coaching standards and equip instructors with evidence-based strength and conditioning principles.This conversation is a masterclass in what it means to pursue strength from the inside out.How Fran discovered pole dance and rose into the competitive pole worldThe discipline and artistry behind training as a pole athleteHer transition from bodybuilding and physique competitions to poleWhy these two disciplines complement each other more than you’d thinkThe training philosophies behind Body by FranHow she coaches pole dancers to build the functional strength, mobility, and endurance required for high-level tricksHow she coaches bodybuilders to develop symmetry, conditioning, and stage confidenceHer specialized certification program for pole instructors, designed to help them safely train students, program intelligently, and understand biomechanicsWhy she rejects one-size-fits-all fitness and builds programs around each client’s unique mechanicsThe mindset work that makes physical transformation possibleFran is a pole athlete, competitive bodybuilder, strength coach, and educator with a dual specialty that sets her apart in the fitness world. Her methodology blends performance training, aesthetic conditioning, biomechanics, and deep respect for the body’s lived experience.She has coached:Competitive and recreational pole dancers working toward inversions, handsprings, ayeshas, power spins, dynamic movement, and stage conditioningBodybuilders preparing for stage, working on symmetry, physique development, glute/hamstring emphasis, and overall conditioningEveryday athletes seeking stronger, more confident, more capable bodiesPole instructors pursuing her specialized certification, which teaches them how to safely progress students, understand movement mechanics, and apply strength and conditioning principles to pole danceFran understands both the artistry of pole and the discipline of bodybuilding — and teaches with the precision, intensity, and compassion of someone who has lived both worlds.This conversation is for anyone who:Wants to understand the real strength and science behind pole danceIs curious about bodybuilding or physique trainingWants a coach who blends compassion with elite-level expertiseIs learning to rewrite old stories around strength, age, or abilityIs a pole instructor seeking deeper knowledge and more effective programmingFran’s work reframes fitness as a form of self-respect and personal power, not punishment or performance.Pole dance is an elite athletic discipline requiring strength, endurance, mobility, and technical skill.Bodybuilding teaches discipline, structure, and intentional muscle development that complements pole perfectly.Instructor education matters — and Fran’s certification fills a major gap in pole teaching standards.Strength begins with the way you think and speak to yourself.It is never too late to build strength, capability, and confidence.Connect with Fran & Explore Her Programs:Fran on InstagramLevel 1 Pole Studio CertificationPole Body BootcampBody by Fran WebsiteStart your journey today!Want to try pole? Join a class at your local studio or download the free GenX Pole Arts Starter Kit⁠ to begin exploring at home.Visit the Linktree for links for upcoming workshops, YouTube videos, and resources to support your pole journey.
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    51 mins
  • Episode 43: Changing the Internal Dialogue and Giving Thanks

    Episode 43: Changing the Internal Dialogue and Giving Thanks
    Dec 4 2025

    Theme of the Episode

    In this episode, Zen explores how the stories we tell ourselves can distort our sense of ability, identity, and worth. From underestimating our physical capabilities to minimizing the legitimacy of our own careers, this episode digs into the quiet, persistent narratives that shape how we see ourselves — and how often they’re completely false.

    Zen shares how she spent three years believing she couldn’t do the pole trick Ayesha, despite having the strength and skill to do it long before she finally tried again. That internal script — “I can’t do this” — became truth simply because she repeated it.

    She also reframes another powerful narrative: the myth that she “doesn’t have a job” because she’s not currently drawing a paycheck. In reality, she is working — building, creating, teaching, producing, and leading — and her entrepreneurial path deserves the same respect as any traditional career. This episode is about reclaiming your own story before someone else defines it for you.

    So many women in midlife carry outdated beliefs about what they can do, what they’re allowed to do, or what “counts” as real work. GenX women have spent decades prioritizing everyone else. This conversation speaks directly to those who are rewriting their identities, trying new things, building new careers, or reclaiming their physical power later in life. The stories we repeat matter — and it’s never too late to change the narrative.

    “I have a fucking job. I’m just not getting a paycheck.”

    This episode invites you to:

    • Question the limiting stories you’ve accepted as truth

    • Recognize where outdated beliefs are holding you back

    • Reframe how you talk about your work, your abilities, and your worth

    • Allow yourself to evolve without apologizing for it

    If this episode resonated, please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast — it helps the show reach more people who need it.

    And if you’ve been wanting to try pole dancing but don’t know where to start, download the free GenX Pole Arts Starter Kit and begin safely at home, at your own pace.

    Episode DetailsWhy It Matters for GenX WomenQuote & TakeawaysSupport the Show
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    21 mins
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