INTERVIEW WITH WES MARX

To celebrate Pole Heart 7th anniversary, I invited Wes Marx for an interview.

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Hi Wes,

First of all, thank you for accepting this interview in celebration of Pole Heart 7th anniversary in September 2024.


♡ How do you introduce yourself to the pole dance community? 
 
I'm Wes! A guy from Brazil, passionate about pole dance and teaching. I've been part of pole community for almost a decade now. I consider myself pretty easy-going person and very curious as well.     


 
♡ How and when did you start your journey in Pole Dance?
 
It was about 9 years ago. Some people think that I always danced or have an athletic background, but in fact, I was pretty sedentary back then. At that point of my life, I was feeling the spark of trying something different for my body. I had tried to go to the gym many times, but the environment didn't help me to stay consistent for much longer. And just moved by curiosity I tried one class and it was love at first sight. I loved the challenge in a fitness way, but with time I started to understand the many possibilities of art expression that this apparatus allows us to embody. 



♡ How Pole Dance changed your life?
 
In so many ways and deep layers of myself, I guess. The  self-image that I had of myself before the Pole changed a lot through the years. I gained so much confidence in myself not only in an external image way, but also as a valuable person existing in the world. I learnt so much about my body, and developed a healthier relationship with it.   



♡ What inspires you to keep working with Pole?
 
Definitely my students and the action of teaching. When I started to work as a teacher, I understood very soon that my priority over perform was teaching. So, I consider myself first a Pole Instructor and second a Pole Artist / Performer. I love to search movement to teach and as a two-way street it keeps supplying my artistic self. 



♡ What inspires you to move and dance every day?

For me it's like meditation. Today I embodied on my routine different ways of movement like going to the gym, yoga, dance classes, stretching. All these practices help me to stay calm and with my mind clear.


♡ What is your life’s philosophy?

"Life can only be understood backwards but it must be lived forward." Tom Gauld, cartoonist.



♡ How do you describe your teaching methodology?

I like to work with individuality and progressions. I believe through these foundations, you can give students tools to them develop not only their own style but also body awareness, which is very important for autonomy.


♡ What can someone expect from Pole Dance, meaning why Pole Dance and not any other activity?

I think the mix of artistic expression with fitness challenges it's a very nice mix that you cannot find in another activities. These things will keep you inspired for a long time!



♡ How would you like to see Pole Dance evolve in the next few years?

I'd like to see it growing as an industry of wellness, safe space to self-discovering and self-expression. With more and more events around the world the celebrate the beauty of pole dance in its variety of styles and shapes.



♡ You were at Pole Heart Studio teaching a private class and teaching workshops, can you share your thoughts and feelings about the experience at the studio? 

I had the best time! It's so spacious, clean and beautiful. The environment it's pretty inviting for dance through many hours and you don't even see the time passing by. I wish I come back soon!


♡ Can you share with us?

A video that inspires you?

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A song that inspires you?

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A book that inspires you?

Tudo sobre o amor de Bell Hooks


A fun fact about you?

I tried to be a DJ! 


Follow Wes Marx on Social Media:
https://www.youtube.com/@weslleymarques8474
https://www.instagram.com/wesmarx