MEDIA COVERAGE
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http://www.pole2polemagazine.com/pole-bloggers/24-as-the-pole-spins-tales-of-everyday-occurences/174-an-interview-with-moses-carroll-founder-of-the-southern-regional-pole-dance-competitions
www.poledancenews.com
http://poleskivvies.com/pole-dancing-clothing/2011/09/moses-carroll-of-the-southern-regional-pole-dancing-competitions/
Meet Moses Carroll, leading the way with the Southern Regional Pole Dancing Competitions! Photo credit: Studio Primetime Photography & Video.
How did the Southern Regional Pole Dancing Competitions get started?
I have organized health fairs, fitness seminars, and conducted marketing for fitness clubs for fifteen years. When I was introduced to pole fitness and the excitement that comes from doing and/or watching it, I wanted to expand not just the popularity of pole fitness but the brand building of studios and competitors, as well as encourage people to increase their physical activity. Unfortunately, the south has some of the unhealthiest states in our country, but if we can motivate people to attend a competition that is in their state, we can also educate them on other activities they can do.
What are the criteria for winning?
In order for a competitor to win, they must be fundamentally sound in pole fitness. Grips, techniques, transitions and execution are what the judges are seeking when they are watching the contestant perform in our non-music compulsory round. And, like a pageant, the judges want to see your personality and confidence off the pole. Once someone wins a title, they become a spokesperson not just for pole fitness, but for the promotion of physical activity.
Who are the judges?
Our judging panel is made up of three sections:
Compulsory Round 1 – Three pole professionals who have national, international, and/or more than five years of experience in teaching pole fitness for competition or performance.
Theme Round 2 – We have a pageant professional that can help judge on presentation and confidence.
Performance Round 2 – We add a personal trainer and/or dance professional to help judge on strength, flexibility, and stage performance.
Photo credit: Billy Liner.
How would someone go about entering the SRPD Competitions?
In 2011, we allow anyone to compete. We don’t pick and choose by video submission; instead we like to promote competitors that enter each division once they submit an application. We feel this is a fair process for the competitors, to be seen by our judges and show why you should advance to the finals.
In 2012, we will change the residency requirement; you will have to be a resident of the state in order to compete. The plan is to build the popularity of pole fitness in each state – just like the pageant industry does – so each studio will have something to shoot for each year. The goal is to promote health and fitness and, in turn, reward those that would like to compete in a fun and exciting atmosphere.
How do people get tickets to the competitions?
We advocate being a green company and all tickets are processed via internet. Each competition has a link on the SRPDFC website.
Who would you most like to have in the audience at your competitions?
Studios’ clients, friends, family members of competitors, and statewide support from business owners. Our mission is to promote pole dance fitness in each state and help build the brand and popularity of each pole dance studio.
Who is your hero or role model?
My grandfather, Moses Carroll, Sr. He was the founder of our family church. His motivation and faith were his driving factor to be not just a respected man of God, but a great, great family man, mentor, and example of living life on the right path. He passed away in 2004 and I miss him dearly.
What are your favorite words of encouragement?
This is ironic, but a close friend, several coaches, and I have said this to clients, trainees, and performers: “Suck it Up!” It may not seem to be words of encouragement, but, when dealing with performance and execution, excuses are not acceptable. Oh, another one I use, “the more you do, the better you get at it!”
Photo credit: Billy Liner.
Favorite pizza toppings: Mushrooms, spinach, jalapenos, and pineapple on top of meat lovers pizza.
Cupcakes or ice cream? Ice cream – all types.
Strangest pole dancing question/comment you’ve ever received:
My first competition I organized – mind you, I don’t know all the pole terms – a competitor asked me, “Moses, can I do a death lay?” I quickly called a judge and asked what is that and why would someone try it? The word “death” had me a little paranoid. Once it was explained, I was ok and called her back with a sure, no problem.
What do you like to do when you’re not at a pole dance event?
Play chess, workout, and travel.
Anything else you’d like to share:
MC Healthcare Inc. is a health & fitness marketing company that promotes physical activity. Many people would like to know where we came from and why we are doing what we do. I have been in in health club management for fifteen years and increasing the popularity of fitness is what we do. Pole fitness – just like any sport – football, softball, golf – has its place. The high level, enthusiast performer or just-do-it-for-fun person want an opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned and do for a living or hobby. Our mission is to increase the popularity of pole dancing and physical activity.
Visit the Southern Regional Pole Dancing Competitions to get the scoop on the 2012 events and learn more about pole dance and healthy activity!
DALLAS—
The first-ever "Miss Texas Pole Dance," by MC Healthcare, Inc, heated up north Texas over the weekend. The competitors say, they're not dancers, they're athletes.
It takes a lot of strength, and a lot of control, to be able to do what the women were doing.
"It's a cardio workout, it's strength, endurance, it's flexibility, it's technique. So, it's a total body workout," said Toy Laster of Choice Training. Laster, along with Rashida Hobbs of Pole'iticians, helped put the event together.
Doug Magditch
"They're not really considered 'pole dancers.' People need to know there's a difference between an exotic dancer and a pole dancer. they are truly athletes," said Hobbs.
Sensuality is important. So is performance.
"Pole can be, not just fitness, but you can also make it very artistic," said Laster.
What it all comes down to is athleticism.
"I'm looking for lines. I'm looking for flexed feet. I'm looking for someone who can bring more of a fitness and an athletic side to the sport," said judge Nicki Shaw, Miss Georgia.
The competition was split into two categories: amateur and professional.
Brynn Route competed in the pro competition, because she teaches pole fitness in Austin. She says, before pole dancing, she struggled to find a workout she could stick to.
"I hated going to the gym. I hated running. I just could not get behind any form of exercise until I found pole dancing, and I just fell in love," said Route.
Sunday, Route was one of the nearly two dozen women in the competition. Each was expected to perform stunts on two poles: one stationary and one rotating.
Each competitor we spoke with agreed on one thing: you've got to be fit to perform on the pole.
"It is becoming more and more mainstream," said Hobbs.
"We wanted to give women an opportunity to showcase their skills, agility, and training in pole fitness. To really display that this is an art as well as a sport, so people can recognize it as a legit fitness," said Hobbs.
Press Release:
Pole Dance International Magazine and Pole Dance International Enterprises announces it's contract for Mainstream Broadcasting of Professional World Pole Sports Events.
In a major agreement between PDI and several traditional broadcasting agencies and resources, pole sports will be able to take the stage to a whole new level. Media icons like ESPN, ABC, NBC, Fox Sports and CBS have joined forces to offer their fans the latest sports updates and live video streamlining through our new partner-so viewers are able to get up to the minute scores and reviews, and events are made available to audiences worldwide.
Pole Dance International will join these media icons as the contracted supplier of pole sports events-right alongside the NFL, NBA, MBA, NHL and premiere hosts of traditional world sports.
This is a major breakthrough and historical movement for the sport of pole. Competitors and events will now be covered by mainstream advertising and reporting, and made readily available to the masses! Online streaming of events will be offered to viewers via the partner website, as well as through the iphone and android applications (apps).
We have been working to develop icons and provide insight for various new apps that will be made available, as well as the website content.
We are ecstatic about this historical movement, and are excited to be a partner with other well-known sports information providers in order to share our industry with the world through cutting-edge media.