A MUM and alternative dance teacher has scooped two more gold medals and a bronze in an international pole sports competition.
Natalie Morgan-Dew from Ross-on-Wye, who was crowned world burlesque champion in 2019, entered her first virtual pole competitions during lockdown and has proved a huge hit with judges across the Atlantic in the US.
Having scooped two golds last year, and despite breaking her foot before Christmas, she went through the pain barrier and entered the US Aquarius Pole Sport competition last week and beat competitors from around the globe.
Natalie, who runs Mizz Twisted Cherry Studios in Ross-on-Wye, said: “I fractured my foot and had to wear a boot for a number of weeks. I’ve never broken anything in my life and the fact my business relies on me teaching and demonstrating gravity-defying moves, was tricky to navigate but I made it work and my foot recovered quickly!
“After Christmas I decided as motivation to recover to enter the Aquarius virtual competitions run by the Pole Sports Organization in America, who I had previously competed with last year.
“Since lockdown they have created virtual championships and they have proved so popular they are now continuing with them, which means you are competing with performers internationally.”
The mum-of-two said the categories she entered this time were much more about fluidity and movement than tricks.
“I would class my performances usually as definitely more trick-based and my overall performance much more tongue in cheek and humorous, which I derive from my world champion burlesque performances.
“So this was a big challenge for me as I had to use the pole within the dance aspect and create a fluid performance.
“But I am so pleased with the results after the break and currently recovering from Covid as well, it has been a really big boost.”
On top of that, she says her studio is a finalist in the national family network business recognition awards, after being shortlisted over hundreds of applications for small business of the year, and she is nominated for business mum of the year.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our little studio. The final is held in March in Birmingham and we are excited to attend and get dressed up for the event.
“I hope our studio and its success will advocate for this sport, not just as a way to keep fit but a way to keep yourself mentally well.
“I have suffered with various mental illness throughout my life, including 12 years of anorexia from age 16-28, leading to agoraphobia and social anxiety. Pole is always the thing that supports me through it.
“It really is pole therapy and all of my students who are called cherry blossoms feel the same.
“The studio and the classes are a life immersive experience, taking care and supporting all aspects of life. Getting physically fit is just a bonus!
“I feel extremely proud and lucky to be able to advocate for this sport and also put this county on the map internationally.”
Natalie’s Mizz Twisted Cherry Studios caters for ages eight to 80 years with classes on aerial hoop, trapeze, silks, pole fitness, burlesque and bespoke equipment like the aerial cube.
For more information go to www.mizztwistedcherry.co.uk and on Facebook at Mizztwistedcherrystudios and www.facebook.com/mizztwistedcherrystudios/