Barrister Discovers Unexpected Fitness Passion in Her 50s
A prominent barrister has revealed how swapping legal briefs for pole dancing routines has transformed her physical and mental wellbeing, declaring she's now in the best shape of her life at age 52. Leisha Bond, who has practised law since 1999, began pole dancing just over a year ago and now trains five times weekly, describing the activity as "ridiculously empowering".
From Courtroom to Dance Studio
Leisha, from Kenilworth in Warwickshire, makes a dramatic wardrobe change after her courtroom duties, exchanging her barrister's robes and wig for thigh-high boots and athletic wear to attend sessions at Pole Elevation in Coventry. The mother-of-one initially tried pole dancing in January 2025 after sensing "something was missing" in her life, particularly as she approached her 50s.
"I think I was having a bit of a malaise when I turned 50," Leisha explained. "Everyone says life begins at 40, my 40s were great. But what have you got to look forward to in your 50s? It's pretty much perimenopause and waking up with a new injury because you slept a bit funny."
Rapid Transformation and Health Benefits
What began as a single weekly lesson quickly escalated to five sessions per week as Leisha discovered both a passion and unexpected health benefits. Remarkably, she claims pole dancing has had miraculous effects on her Type 1 diabetes, which she has managed since age 12, with recent blood tests showing the best results she's ever recorded.
"I'm fitter now than I've ever been, albeit I repair slower," she stated. "I hadn't done any exercise at all for a year before pole. I wasn't vaguely fit in my 30s. I am also Type 1 diabetic since I was 12, and my recent blood test was probably the best it's ever been."
Challenging Perceptions and Finding Community
Leisha acknowledges that her choice of activity might raise eyebrows in her conservative profession, recalling one party guest asking if pole dancing was "an appropriate thing to do as a barrister." However, she firmly rejects such limitations, emphasizing that she's "not defined by my job or what I do outside of it."
The supportive community at her studio has been particularly meaningful, with Leisha praising the "body positivity of all shapes and sizes" and the environment where "everyone does their own thing at their own pace." She contrasts this with her previous exercise attempts, finding traditional gyms "boring and overrated" and climbing "a lonely sport."
Physical Demands and Personal Rewards
Pole dancing presents significant physical challenges that Leisha embraces wholeheartedly. She describes the sport as "quite dangerous" – she has broken a rib during training and regularly sports "pole kisses" (bruises from contact with the pole). Yet these physical demands have built remarkable strength, with Leisha particularly enjoying advanced moves where she hangs upside down by her legs, comparing herself to a bat.
"It's a slow process of building your strengths," she noted. "I'm about as flexible as a brick, but you've got to play to your strengths. Everyone has kicked a football, but no one has span around a pole."
Encouraging Others to Break Boundaries
Now an enthusiastic advocate for the sport, Leisha urges women of all ages and body types to consider trying pole dancing, dismissing preconceptions about appropriateness. "Try it I say, don't be limited by what you think it's appropriate to do by your age or size," she advises. "Literally everyone can do something and everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses."
She particularly values how the activity allows her to shed professional and personal roles, explaining: "You don't go as a barrister, or as a mother or wife, you go as yourself. It's the only thing we do for ourselves."
Despite her unconventional hobby, Leisha maintains she won't break professional rules but enjoys "pushing the boundaries," a characteristic she believes makes her more relatable as a legal professional. Her journey demonstrates how discovering unexpected passions can transform health and confidence at any stage of life.
