Rafaela Montanaro is current world champion of bi-Category FIT Pole Dance, is known worldwide for her incredible performances that balance strength, flexibility and diversity, playing different characters and different dance rhythms from classic to rock’n roll. It is the Brazilian with the highest international recognition who has taught and performed in many countries.
Rafaela conducts performances of Pole Dance Stops Hands, Shows Dance and Aerial Dance. Rafaela Montanaro began her career at 3 years old when she began her practice in gymnastics . Also learned jazz , classical ballet and modern and ballroom dancing. At sixteen, after attending a Cirque Du Soleil, decided to start with the circus career and was approved at the renowned École Nationale des Arts du Cirque in Rosny-sous-bois, France. Attended during the year and a half, and but due to family problems could not end until the fourth year.
When she returned to Brazil, Rafaela she evolved and specialized as an athlete and teacher fundamentals, so she decided to take the Physical Education at the university. In the same period practiced Kung-fu Wushu, and member of the Brazilian national team in 2006.
She began her career as a Pole Dancer in May 2009, won the titles of Champion Brazilian and South American with only 5 months of training. Undoubtedly, Pole Dance was to her love at first sight. The following year Rafaela started her career as a teacher of the sport and increased her daily workouts, winning 3 titles in major championships worldwide category, won the “Pole Tricks” award – given to the best athlete who performs stunts – and also the third at Miss Pole Dance World 2010 in Switzerland; was also a champion in the category FIT International Pole Championship 2010 in Tokyo.
During 2011, Rafaela won the titles of National Champion in the category of World Cup Pole and Vice Champion in the international category. After a period away by injury, returned to training and won the title of champion in the category bi-FIT International Pole Championship 2012 in Hong Kong, and Bi-South American championship in Argentina.
Rafaela believes that winning is possible for everyone, provided there is commitment to the activity, focus and determination. To compete and be always progressing, she trains every day for long periods and enhances her daily load on with other aerobic activities and always perfecting the dance. To Rafaela, being an athlete is not only a physical condition, but also a psychological condition.
Achievements of Rafaela Montanaro
- 2012 International Pole Championship – Pole Fit Champion
- 2011 National Championship – 1st Place
- Pole World Cup – 2nd Place
- 2010 International Pole Championship – Pole Fit Champion
- Miss Pole Dance World 2010 – Best Tricks & 3rd place
- 2009 South American – 1st Place
- National Championship – 1st Place
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Rafaela Montanaro is a Brazilian Pole Dancer. She is bi-FIT International Pole Championship 2012, Bi-South American championship, Brazilian Championship Pole Dance 2009 and the South American Pole Dance Championship 2009. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started your sports career in gymnastics at the age of three and at the age of 12 years you studied classical ballet, jazz and modern dance. At the age of 16 you joined the circus where you were trained in hand balancing and then later ventured into pole dancing. This was the catalyst that made you reach the pinnacle of success in pole dancing when you won 2012 International Pole Championship – Pole Fit Champion. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
I have been blessed with friends and determination. These for sure were the factors that made everything in my life possible. All of my achievements were the result of hard work and support of those around me, whether it was with people providing me a place to train, people helping me with what they could, like costume designs, nutrition support, and just plain “I believe in you”.
All of this combined with a huge will of doing better today than I did yesterday is what made it possible.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With the background of gymnastics, dance and kung-fu you developed your own mesmerize style of pole dancing and excelled. Elaborate on this meteoric rise in competitive pole dancing ?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
I have this mental characteristic of not knowing who to “play”. Everything I do, i dive deep and want to do the best I can. So when I took my first pole class, the teacher said that she thought I could become good at it, and asked if I wanted to compete in the National Championship, 4 months away… Of course I said yes, since I am very competitive, and from that day on I started training 4 days a week until the competition day!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
People always ask what kind of weight lifting program I do… here it is: NONE!!! All I do is Pole and acrobatics, and some cardio, to keep me fit for the longer performances.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
I have the support of Janete Neves, a Brazilian sports nutritionist that follows my training routine and adapts my diet to it. It is very important to have adequate nutrition to keep yourself in top performance level
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding pole dancing girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of pole dancing ?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
I have a saying that keeps me motivated : If it was easy, everyone could do it. I believe the main thing is knowing what you want and sticking to it. If you want to do a good performance, you will have to give up lots of things like, changing free time, for practice time; not going out with your friends to drink as much as you used to; choosing chicken breast and vegetables instead of pizza… But I swear it is worth it!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after winning the Brazilian Championship Pole Dance 2009 and the South American Pole Dance Championship 2009?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
Those two competitions were like a dream to me. I honestly went to the nationals in 2009 just to be part of it, after all I had been training for only 4 months. But I really pushed myself to do the best I could. I could hardly believe when they called my name in first place!
So that meant I was going to represent Brazil in the South American competition, only a month away! This competition was my first international one and one of the rules was to use the spinning pole, which I had never even seen before! So there I went… I couldn’t even climb the spinning pole at first, but I believe in “pole magic” where if u set your mind to a move with enough determination, you will get it. After winning that competition I started believing in my potential and begun to take it even more seriously.
Rafaela Montanaro on WomenFitness: I really like the idea of the website, bringing information and motivation for all women out there! And if you are bored with traditional workouts, give pole fitness a chance, it does wonders!!!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
During 2011 you won the titles of National Champion in the category of World Cup Pole and Vice Champion in the international category. After a period away by injury, you returned to training and won the title of champion in the category bi-FIT International Pole Championship 2012 in Hong Kong, and Bi-South American championship in Argentina. How you were able to overcome such a physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
That injury was really tough… but after all it was good to be away for some time. I compared it to a warrior polishing the sword, preparing for battle.
When I found out that I was qualified for the finals of IPC I had my arm mobilized, and I was only allowed to touch the pole February 1st of 2012; the competition was march 15th! So this meant I had only 45 days to get back in shape and put together a world class performance. I used all the motivation I had stocked up from 4 month away to train the hardest I have ever trained! I would train for over 8 hours a day! But like I said, it always pays off!
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive pole dancing ?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
The reason I started was Felix Cane, an Australian pole dancer that is adored by most of us. I saw her video and it was just the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! Then I started looking for more dancers, and found a whole ocean of incredibly talented individuals, with such different characteristics, like snowflakes, no two are alike… And I can find inspiration from the most amazing dancers to beginner students.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about the events that led you to being at the third place at Pole Dance World 2010 and where you also won the title of “Miss Pole Dance Tricks”?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
That competition was when I was finally going to meet all the amazing ladies that I had been watching online, and not only that, but I was going to share the stage with them! So I knew I had to do good and not embarrass myself in front of my idols. About 5 months before that competition was when I decided it was time to look at things professionally, so I started consulting with my nutritionist and develop a more efficient training program for myself. I had no idea it would work so well!!!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Rafaela Montanaro:
I really like the idea of the website, bringing information and motivation for all women out there! And if you are bored with traditional workouts, give pole fitness a chance, it does wonders!!!! Thank you for this wonderfull opportunity.
To know more about Rafaela Montanaro, check out at: http://www.rafaelamontanaro.com.br
Women Fitness Team thanks Rafaela Montanaro for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.