How Pole Fitness Helped Me Find Confidence, Community, and Myself

“I just want to help people find their inner confidence.”
— Chantelle Beasley, Owner of Aradia Fitness

This quote stopped me in my tracks.

If it weren’t for the staff and students at Aradia Fitness, I honestly don’t know who I would be today — and that truth deserves to be witnessed.

Dance has always been something I sought out, both as a child and as an adult. As a kid, it felt natural. As an adult, it became more challenging to find spaces that felt welcoming, challenging and aligned—but they existed, and I had a lot of fun learning different styles and meeting wonderful people. When I found Aradia it felt exciting yet familiar, like something I didn’t know I had been missing.

My very first class was at the old Whyte Ave location with one of our incredible instructors, Charlie. She was effortlessly cool with long, colourful dreadlocks, and she always asked what music we wanted to dance to. There were only a few of us in that class, trying it for the first time.

We loved it.

I remember finishing that first class and immediately wanting to go home and practice so I wouldn’t forget anything before the next week.

Fast forward a few months and I was taking more classes—so many more—that I installed my own pole in my basement so I could practice every single day. I was obsessed, but in the healthiest way. My kids got involved, and our home was filled with dance parties for years after. Even when studios were closed due to government restrictions, I had learned enough foundational movement to keep me going… for a while.

When I returned to pole fitness semi-full time, I started learning inverted moves—going upside down. They terrified me. They exhilarated me. I remember Chantelle once saying that the first time she went upside down, she realized she could do anything. I understand that now.

There is something profoundly empowering about training your physical body in a way that your mind has no choice but to follow. Between pole fitness, running and hot yoga, I became the strongest I had ever been in my 40+ years of life. All while being a mom of two boys and navigating the messy, beautiful challenges of life.

Aradia was there through all of it.

I remember storming into a class one morning at the old Sherwood Park studio, climbing to the very top of the pole, and asking permission to rage about the frustrations of life. My pole mama and sisters cheered me on the entire way. Those classes became my therapy—healing my physical, emotional, and mental body.

I felt focused, determined and ready to create a different reality than the one I was currently living.

Around that time, Aradia posted that they were hiring party instructors. The hours were Saturday nights—literally the only night I had to myself and I usually no plans anyway. Getting paid to dance felt like the perfect segue back into the workforce. What I didn’t realize then was how completely that decision would change my life.

The moment I became part of the instructor team, everything shifted. I was suddenly surrounded by over 50 women—supportive, encouraging, and genuinely rooting for me. I became part of a team led by one of the most inspiring and grounded women I had ever met.

At the same time, the idea for a spiritual business had been brewing in my heart since before I had kids. I knew I didn’t want to return to the public system to teach. I was exhausted by childcare, too tired to serve tables, and craving a challenge—something I could build on my own terms.

Enter opportunity.

I was considering running a business out of my home, but anyone who’s worked from home with kids knows it’s not quite as glamorous as it sounds. Just as I was asking Chantelle if I could sell crystals (yes, rocks) out of one of the Aradia locations, she presented an entirely different opportunity: renting a room in the new space and working alongside her and other like-minded women.

I remember her encouraging words, “This is literally the safest place to try something new.”

Of course, she was right.

When I decided to take the leap, she lovingly asked a promise of me.
“Angela, please give it at least one year.”

November 1, 2023 Sacred Connections, my passion project was born.

That was two and a half years ago.

Today, both of our businesses are growing and thriving. I have become the most confident woman I have ever been and I owe so much of that to this community.

Chantelle and the women of Aradia are some of the most genuine, nurturing, and supportive souls I have ever known. I truly don’t know where I would be without this community. I am deeply proud to be part of it, and I will always strive to uphold the safe, sacred and empowering space that Aradia represents—for every person who walks through its doors.

Use Code: ANGELA25 to receive $25 off any level 1 6-week class series and see how your confidence can be transformed!