Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellyn Hartono.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ellyn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved to the United States in 2013, and shortly after I began my pole dance journey in spring of 2015. I just turned 37 years old and I was looking for an opportunity to do something different than most Asian women my age. After watching a movie, I got the idea and interest to do pole dancing. I wanted to instill confidence and boost my self-esteem as well as learn how to be sexy.
So I started to do more research, and that is where I found out more about pole dancing and where I could learn to do it. I learned about world-renowned pole dancer Natasha Wang (@polecricket), and how she started doing pole dancing at a very late age with no dancing background. That inspired me to give it a shot.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The journey has been an uphill battle filled with lots of challenges. There is a lot of misconceptions in regards to pole dancing, but what people don’t realize is that it takes a huge toll on your mind and body.
I started competing professionally after only pole dancing for six months. One of the major reasons that I started to compete was because of my mom. Three days before my first pole dance competition, my mom passed away. She was super excited for me to compete and knew I had been training for months. Part of the struggle for me was whether or not I should continue and complete knowing that my mom had just passed away.
Despite how difficult it was for me, I decided to still compete knowing that would be what my mom would have wanted for me to do. I got a silver medal and after being disappointed with the results, I decided to keep going until I finally got a gold medal. Since I started my pole dance journey, I have two gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals.
Other challenges and obstacles I faced, was a severe shoulder injury which prevented me to compete for a while. I have undergone rehabilitation with Pilates instructor Sara Shay (@silverlakepilates) and I hope that next year , I will be able to compete again.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Currently, I work for Luscious Maven, an award-winning pole dance studio as an assistant manager and teacher’s assistant. I am most proud to work for this studio because I have the opportunity to help beginners pole dancers in their pole dance journey. ”What sets you apart from others is your passion and commitment to pole. You live and breathe pole.” (From Aimee Galicia Torres, my best friend)
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe in luck however I believe more in putting in the hard work needed to succeed.
Contact Info:
Personal:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @me_soopole
Work:
- Address: 11135 Weddington St.
Suite 113
North Hollywood, CA 91601 - Website: www.lusciousmaven.com
- Phone: 818-824-4091
- Instagram: @luscious_maven
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/luscious-maven-pole-studio-north-hollywood-7?uid=rSwiA7uSKAcsvrlantfStQ&utm_source=ishare
Image Credit:
Perry Gallagher @perrygallagher; Aimee Galicia Torres @shotbyaimee
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