Ellie’s Fitness Journey: From Struggles to Strength - Customer of the Month

⚠️ Trigger warning: This post discusses body image and eating disorders.

Ellie’s fitness journey began in her early 20s, at a time when she felt unfit and unhappy with the reflection in the mirror. She knew something had to change.

She started paying closer attention to her diet and tried to listen to what her body truly needed. This wasn’t easy. Since her teenage years, Ellie had struggled with body image and unhealthy eating habits swinging between starvation and binge eating. Those years left her with not only emotional scars, but physical ones too. It was a dark and painful chapter in her life.

As she grew older, Ellie began therapy and slowly started to heal. But self-confidence and body image remained a challenge. She knew she needed to take better care of her body, not only for her health but also for her mental wellbeing. She experimented with a variety of activities running, swimming, yoga, badminton some of which she still enjoys today.

Everything changed the day Ellie discovered pole fitness.

She first came across it when a mutual friend posted a reel on Instagram. The strength and skill on display impressed her so much that she decided to book her first pole class. Nervous and anxious about showing her body and her scars she walked into the studio terrified. To be completely honest, she hated that first class. Her anxiety was overwhelming, and she couldn’t manage a single move. She left wanting to cry.

But something inside her told her to try again.

Ellie booked a second class, then a third. Now, four years later, pole is still a central part of her life.

The journey hasn’t just been about fitness it’s been about confidence, resilience, and community. The instructors at her studio, @1stclasspolefitness and @pole.wolf.ollie, have been incredible. They push her when they know she’s capable of more and support her with patience when she needs it. For Ellie, pole fitness isn’t just a workout it’s a safe, empowering space filled with friendships and encouragement.

Thanks to pole, Ellie has learned to appreciate her body for what it can do, not just how it looks. She still has work to do on her self-confidence, but she feels more comfortable in her skin than ever before. And for that, she is endlessly grateful to her instructors and the wonderful pole community ❤️

Finding Her Style

Pole also gave Ellie the chance to express herself in new ways. She had always admired the incredible outfits worn by pole dancers on social media, wishing she could find something that made her feel sexy, confident, and true to her love of all things spooky.

That’s when she discovered Unwonted Apparel. From the moment she saw their designs, she knew she had found her style. Matching shorts and leggings perfect for spooky yoga? Absolutely. Not only are they comfortable and non-see-through, but they also make her feel confident and stylish. Every time she wears them, she receives compliments and most importantly, she feels herself 🖤

Her Goals Moving Forward

Ellie’s fitness journey is still evolving. Her goals are simple but powerful:

✨ To continue healing her relationship with body image.
✨ To stop comparing herself to others and celebrate her own progress.
✨ And to finally conquer the elusive shoulder mount!

📸 Photography by: @denyerpro
💪 Huge thanks to her amazing instructors: @1stclasspolefitness & @pole.wolf.ollie