You Did It! Now Let’s Talk Post-Comp: Reflections for Pole, Aerial & Circus Athletes
Hey pole, aerial, and circus competitors—YOU DID IT!
Whether it was your first time on stage or your fifteenth, you set a goal, built a performance, and brought your vision to life in front of an audience. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. Now that the adrenaline has settled and the glitter’s been (mostly) cleaned up, it’s time to exhale, decompress, and give yourself a big ol’ hug. You earned it.
My Season of Competitions: Coaching, Judging & Being Blown Away
Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of coaching athletes, judging, and serving as Head Judge at threedifferent pole and aerial competitions. It’s been a whirlwind—a beautiful, chaotic, exhausting, inspiring whirlwind. And I have to say: I am blown away.
Your talent, courage, creativity, and athleticism moved me every single time I watched someone take the stage. And that’s exactly why I think now is the perfect time to open up a real conversation about competition—what it takes, what it gives, and how we can grow through it.
Why We Need a Competition Debrief
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a few videos to help demystify the competition world—designed for athletes, coaches, and judges alike. Because let’s be honest: there are some big gaps in how people approach, understand, interpret and prep for competitions.
But let’s start here—with the athlete debrief.
Debriefing is one of my favorite parts of coaching. It gives athletes a chance to:
- Reflect on their journey and growth
- Look at their results with clarity
- Break down scores and feedback
- Pinpoint areas for improvement
- Celebrate wins (big and small)
- And start thinking about what comes next
You Are a Winner. Full Stop.
Regardless of what the scoreboard says, I’ll say this again (and again):
You. Are. A. Winner.
Why? Because you:
- Had the courage to set a goal
- Showed up and put yourself out there
- Built something uniquely yours
- Took the stage and made it happen
Even if things didn’t go perfectly—if a grip failed, a transition hiccuped, or a trick didn’t hit—it doesn’t erase everything you did right. No one’s performance goes exactly as planned. Even winners walk off stage thinking, “Ugh, I wish I had stuck that moment.”
And that’s why medals and placements, while exciting, are never the full story. They’re not the only way to measure success.
The Real Win? The Growth.
I always tell my Ashletes and competition clients this:
The true win is in the journey.
The kind of growth that happens during comp prep is unmatched. Classes, workshops, and jams are wonderful, but competition demands something deeper. It forces you to:
- Train for strength, endurance, and performance
- Revisit and refine your skills
- Practice intentionally for mastery
- Face your weaknesses and sharpen your strengths
- Get creative and build your artistic voice
- Respect your current level while striving for more
Let’s be real: competition prep isn’t always glamorous. It can be uncomfortable. It can be frustrating. But it also unlocks a version of yourself you may not have met yet.
Take a Breath, Then Reflect
Once you’ve had your celebratory meal and your well-deserved nap, it’s time to start reflecting.
• How are you feeling post-comp?
• How is your body recovering?
• What are you proud of?
• What did you learn about yourself as a mover, artist, and athlete?
You spent months—okay, some of you rebels spent just weeks—pouring your heart, sweat, creativity, and glitter into a few minutes on stage. And in a flash, it was over. Let’s not let that moment pass without capturing what it taught you.
Say it out loud. Write it down. Or, if you feel like sharing—I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below or shoot me a DM.
