A 75-YEAR-OLD step gran has revealed why she decided to take up pole dancing.
Starr Stauffer Wise, a widow from Colorado Springs, the US, said she lived a rather solitary life with her two pets and although the unlikely athletic activity had been on her bucket list, she never dared to try it.
That is, until everything changed in February 2021, when she stumbled across a newspaper article.
“The article was about a local pole dancer, Diane Martin, who also happened to be a Pastor,” she said.
“Diane started her pole dancing journey when she was nearly 50, and now, at 64, she’s my private instructor. She’s the brains behind Pole Revolution,” the fitness lover said in an exclusive chat with Fabulous.
“When I read that piece, I was beyond excited.
“It jogged my memory about an old dream of mine — pole dancing, which had been on my bucket list for years but somehow got pushed to the back burner.
“I initially thought, ‘Could I even do this?’
Starr, whose hubby passed away 18 years ago, grappled with a number of medical issues including rheumatoid arthritis in her wrists and hands, a deformed right hand due to arthritis, osteoporosis, which weakens the bones.
Despite all of this, as well as recovering from a severe fall, the youthful gran didn’t let that get in the way.
After sending a message to the Pole Revolution studio to check if there was an age limit, Starr was delighted to hear ”there wasn’t one”.
Without wasting any time, the 75-year-old baddie signed up for an introduction class that same week.
”I had no clue if I could pull it off at my age and with my medical history, but I not only managed but got totally hooked. I couldn’t get enough, so I signed up for a whole package of classes.”
As a recovering alcoholic with close to 36 years of sobriety, the nan’s journey into pole dancing three times a week has not only transformed her physically – but also, perhaps more importantly, provided mental and emotional benefits.
The fitness lover, who loves wearing skimpy outfits around the pole, explained: “When you are doing pole tricks, your mind has to be completely on what you are doing, so those bad things going on in your brain must be gone.
“You have to concentrate, or you may lose your grip, let go of the wrong leg or hand, and crash to the floor.
“I just did that the other day and landed on my head quite hard. Luckily, I didn’t have a concussion.”
Yes, pole dancing can be a good exercise. Not only can it be fun, but pole dancing is a full-body workout that has heaps of benefits.
Pole dancing can help build strength in your core, back, arms, shoulders, legs, and more. Getting toned while having fun – what’s better than that?
What’s more, pole dancing can also increase your heart rate and burn calories in a creative way – so, no more dull treadmill walks.
Although Starr said her ”joints and flexibility aren’t what they used to be”, she takes great pride in her ”ability to rise gracefully from the floor, even while wearing stilettos”.
Her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially by former high school classmates, who’ve humorously commented, ”She’s hanging upside down on a pole, and I can barely get out of a chair.”
”Flow work will likely never be my forte. Yet, I embrace the challenge and continue to push my limits because why not?” she chuckled.
Seeing the remarkable benefits and developing muscles she’s never had before, the 75-year-old beauty has also taken up Zumba, EGym, and Silver Sneakers classes.
However, her love for pole dancing has also had a negative impact on her family, with some of Starr’s relatives ”totally turn away from contact” from her.
”I never had any children, but I have two step-granddaughters who really support me,” she said proudly.
”The one who lives in California came to both of my performances in LA.
”She has two daughters, my step-great-granddaughters, and they think it’s great what their Nana does.
”I had some friends also distance themselves for the same reason. My friends are 95% supportive. The public has been 99% positive.”
But that doesn’t mean there hasn’t been backlash, especially on social media, where trolls will pass comments about the outfits she wears while pole dancing.
Starr, who boasts over 29,000 followers on Instagram (@starr. wise), always responds with the same answer.
”Your grip is your skin. Sure, some outfits are a lot more sexy, but you have grip points on your neck, armpit, midriff, abdomen and sides.
“Also, it’s perfectly okay to show your feet, ankles, toes, thighs, knees and even a bit of butt cheeks.
”I delete nasty comments and block them. I’m not going to worry about ignorant trolls or let them bother me.”
Throughout her journey, Starr has met celebs, ”the most wonderful pole people” and has become ”famous on Instagram”.
;;I have had the most wonderful experiences in the last two-and-a-half years.
”I have met wonderful people and made new friends. I am known internationally. What a dream! What a life!”
