Dancing Into Confidence: The Story Behind Pole Fitness Studio

From the world’s first pole dancing instructor to Las Vegas’ most empowering fitness destination, Fawnia Mondey has built more than a studio. She has built a movement.

It all began on a birthday night in British Columbia. A young woman named Fawnia Mondey walked into a strip club for the first time, wide-eyed and curious, celebrating her 19th birthday. What struck her wasn’t just the music or the lights, but the women on stage. They were confident, glamorous, and magnetic, holding the crowd’s attention with skill and grace. “By the end of the night, I thought, I could do this,” she recalled with a laugh.

But when she asked the waitress where she could learn, the woman laughed. There was no such school. “You just get up there and do it,” she was told. That answer, as dismissive as it seemed, sparked something inside her. Within days, she was on stage herself, entering an amateur contest, and within weeks, she had mastered her first spin on the pole. What she didn’t know then was that she was about to create an entirely new industry.

From Canada to Las Vegas: A First of Her Kind

Fawnia’s early experience in the 1990s lit the fuse for what would become her life’s work. She began sharing what she learned with other dancers in hotel rooms, carrying around flyers and offering lessons to anyone curious enough to try. Teaching started simply because there was no one else doing it.

In 1998, with encouragement from her boyfriend, she made a VHS instructional video called “How to Pole Dance.” At the time, there was no roadmap, no blueprint, and no YouTube tutorials. After a quick online search on Netscape Navigator confirmed no one else had released anything like it, she realized the truth. She was the first. “I didn’t coin myself that, but how amazing was that for me to be the world’s first pole dancing instructor?” she said.

That title might have been a novelty then, but today it has grown into a badge of honor. Her pioneering spirit took what was once a misunderstood art form and transformed it into a celebrated form of fitness, self-expression, and empowerment.

Lessons Learned in Reinvention

Of course, innovation comes with its share of challenges. For Fawnia, one of the biggest lessons was simple but painful: never change your business name. Over the years, she experimented with different names and brands before finally cementing Pole Fitness Studio as her identity. “Once you settle on a name and a URL, just keep it,” she said firmly. “Unless you’re prepared to do all the work all over again.”

That hard-won wisdom is part of what makes her story resonate. She admits her journey hasn’t always been smooth, but her persistence has been unwavering. For two decades, she has kept Pole Fitness Studio alive and growing, adapting to trends while holding on to the values that make it different.

A Studio Like No Other

Today, Pole Fitness Studio is much more than a place to learn spins and tricks. Located just minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, it is one of the city’s most vibrant destinations for both fitness and fun. With more than 400 classes a month taught by 40 instructors, it is a space where people of all backgrounds come together.

The offerings are as varied as the people who walk through the doors. Clients can sign up for structured group fitness classes, where strength and artistry combine, or they can book private parties that turn any milestone into an unforgettable celebration. Birthdays, bachelorette parties, divorces, and even girls’ nights out are celebrated here with laughter and energy. “It’s like Halloween every day,” Fawnia said. “You never know what you’re walking into.”

What sets the studio apart is its accessibility. Pole dancing here isn’t just for performers. It’s for anyone seeking confidence, community, or simply something new. That philosophy has helped transform her studio into a cultural staple, one that thrives on inclusivity. “We are coed,” she added. “We’ve hosted transgender parties, divorce parties, you name it. We’ve probably done it.”

The Heartbeat of the Studio

For Fawnia, the motivation isn’t just about running a successful business. It’s about the people who walk out stronger than they walked in. “Seeing people happy, loving that they’re coming in for perhaps they’re coming in to lose a little bit of weight and they achieve that goal, but then they get this huge other sense of community and sisterhood and brotherhood,” she explained.

That personal touch is what makes Pole Fitness Studio magnetic. Clients don’t just leave with improved fitness. They leave with stories, friendships, and a new sense of themselves. And for many, it begins with a simple curiosity, just as Fawnia once had.

The World Took Notice

While word-of-mouth has always played a role in growing the business, the rise of social media has expanded Pole Fitness Studio’s reach across the globe. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have introduced her to new generations of clients who may have never considered pole fitness otherwise.

“I know that when I make a post, sometimes sharing my life story, I instantly get people responding,” she said. “They’ll say, ‘You were my first teacher. I bought your video back in the 90s.’ It’s pretty cool to see people still alive and remembering where this whole pole dancing thing came from.”

That legacy, now more than 30 years in the making, continues to evolve. What began in a Canadian strip club has turned into a worldwide movement of empowerment.

A Vision for the Future

As Pole Fitness Studio approaches its next chapter, Fawnia is focused on growth. Her short-term goal is to increase memberships, welcoming more people willing to step outside their comfort zones. Long term, she has her eye on opening another studio, expanding her reach even further.

She also hopes to redefine what it means to celebrate in Las Vegas. Instead of just watching a show, she wants visitors to take the stage themselves. “When you come to Las Vegas, you don’t have to go to a show. You don’t have to see male strippers. You could do something in between and actually be the dancer,” she said with a grin.

And for those who cannot make it to Nevada, she has another surprise. Her side business, Las Vegas Pole Rentals, offers clients the chance to bring the pole home. “People don’t really realize this, but there are businesses around that will come to your house, set up your pole, and you’ve got that party atmosphere without having to buy your own,” she explained.

Why Las Vegas Loves Her

In a city that thrives on spectacle, Pole Fitness Studio offers something uniquely genuine. It is not about the lights or the illusions. It is about real people stepping into themselves. Fawnia has created a space where vulnerability turns into strength and where strangers become part of a community.

That community is the lifeblood of her work. Over and over, her clients share how the studio helped them not only reach their fitness goals but also rediscover confidence they thought they had lost. And in a world that often prizes quick entertainment, her studio offers something more lasting: empowerment.

Take the Leap

For anyone curious about pole fitness, Fawnia has a simple invitation. Step into her studio, take a spin, and discover the joy for yourself. Whether you are booking a class, celebrating a milestone, or just looking for a night of fun, Pole Fitness Studio promises an experience unlike any other.

Visit polefitnessstudio.com to explore classes and memberships, or follow along on Instagram: @polefitnessstudio and TikTok: @polefitnessstudio. For Las Vegas locals and visitors alike, this is more than a workout. It is a chance to celebrate your body, your story, and your confidence.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.