Today we’d like to introduce you to Dashiell Berri.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dashiell. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was working in the funeral business and the bar business (both include lots of drinking). I felt really unhealthy and needed a change. I came across a group on for a Pole Fitness class and tried to give it a whirl. I immediately fell in love with the movement. Pole is so challenging; I couldn’t keep up with my classmates so I started cross training with contortion and weight lifting. Next thing I knew I was competing in the WBFF where I won my Pro card. Now I’m a competitive professional pole athlete, a WBFF Pro and a contortionist in training.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wasted a lot of time when I first started pole fitness working harder not smarter. Proper technique cannot be overstated. I spend a lot of time and money learning from some of the best teachers, coaches, gurus etc. in the health and fitness field to avoid training pitfalls, but inevitably accidents happen. I broke my shoulder two years ago and actually won a regional title competing whilst broken. Immediately after the competition, I had surgery and the past 2 years healing have been incredibly humbling.
Paradigm Pole Fitness and Mission Motion – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As well as being a touring instructor, I teach at Paradigm Pole Fitness in Worcester Ma. I’m known for my back strength and flexibility. Something that sets Paradigm apart is the charity pole show Maggie Ann (paradigm owner) and I run called Mission Motion. We not only donate a portion of the proceeds to local charities but we give students and artists a place to perform and share their story. Non pole related I’m in the process of forming my first nonprofit. Every year I do a few pet drives and drive around to all the local shelters with dog toys and cleaning supplies, this year we’ll hopefully be able to start taking cash donations and making a bigger impact. I film the whole donation process and the happy tails upon toy drop off day which can be found on my Instagram.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I think success has to be defined daily, today my success will be resting my body and being mentally ok with that. Tomorrow it will be eating healthy and lifting heavy. Overall, success is finding happiness in your situation, being aware of your faults and trying to improve.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.paradigmpolefitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dashiellberri/
Image Credit:
Myke Yeager, Sherry Hopper
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