I was born and grew up in a small Chinese village. It was a happy childhood, but music or dance was simply beyond us, when our family didn’t have a TV until I was seven. It wasn’t until I was 13, that I started listening to pop songs from Hong Kong, when my brother brought home our first cassette player. I probably listened to about 5 songs in English, before I was 20. Please forgive me if I don’t know Bon Jovi (I do now, so Roxanne you won’t need to kick me out of class, 
😂😂😂).
I watched the MPD NSW heat 3 years ago with Bonny, to support Amy Ryder, simply out of curiosity. I was totally mind blown, trying to use my engineering mind, to figure out how these beautiful girls could defy gravity, in such an effortless way. 2 weeks later, I booked myself into my beginners class with the beautiful Isabella.
I thought, as long as I could finish beginners, I would be content and stop. However, this thought was instantly thrown out of my mind, when I first met Isabella and other beautiful beginners students.
I climbed a lot of trees when I was a kid and built a strong core from hiking, so going upside down was not a problem. However, to say I am not flexible is a total understatement. I still need a decent warmup to touch my toes, I don’t have any form of splits and my back can’t really bend in any direction. I sincerely thought I might be too old or not flexible enough to pole. I didn’t think I would pass intro to prep because of my flexibility, however the amazing Jedda encouraged me to use my strength to compensate and any trick would be doable.
I started to take pg with Chilli Rox Jedda J Jordan Tanya Luna Watts and Roxy from Int 1, because I knew I needed it, given my background and age. I was so unco, not on time, stiff, static, all the things to hurt our dear teachers eyes (sorry teachers), but term by term I could see tiny improvements.
I was very content to stay in Prep Adv forever, but decided to challenge myself in Adv. Adv definitely challenged me to work harder and focus more. I also felt really supported (Amy Ryder Chris Talbot). I felt a breakthrough with my pole tricks, dancing flow and a bit of flexibility.
I don’t consider myself a beautiful pole dancer, but I always aim to be better than my past in life or in pole. I think I am a better pole dancer than 3 years ago and I have grown so much from being a little country girl.
We very often imagine a glass ceiling above us, but the sky is the limit, so as you keep challenging yourself, be persistent and patient. I hope my story might inspire you (or even your aunt, mum, 
😀) a bit.
Yuna. xxxx
Top pic: first pic in life, me in the middle. age unknown.
bottom: first pole photoshoot at age 40.