'I feel sexy and free': Plus-size pole dancer hits back at fat shamers saying her body's never been better since taking up the sport

  • Michelle Mesch, 27, started pole dancing to get fit in September 2015
  • She began documenting her success on Instagram - despite cruel trolls
  • The New Yorker was 132lb as a teen, but piled on the pounds at university

By Rebecca Lewis For Mailonline

Published: 06:01 EST, 1 June 2016 | Updated: 12:48 EST, 1 June 2016

A plus-size pole dancer who twerks upside down hopes to inspire other larger-than-life ladies to take up the sport.

New Yorker Michelle Mesch, 27, started pole dancing to get fit in September 2015, and says it makes her feel 'sexy and free'.

Thrilled with her new-found confidence, she began documenting her success on Instagram, posing in skimpy outfits.

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New Yorker Michelle Mesch, 27, started pole dancing to get fit in September 2015, and says it makes her feel 'sexy and free'

New Yorker Michelle Mesch, 27, started pole dancing to get fit in September 2015, and says it makes her feel 'sexy and free'

Thrilled with her new found confidence, she began documenting her success on Instagram, posing in skimpy outfits

Thrilled with her new found confidence, she began documenting her success on Instagram, posing in skimpy outfits

But she has been met with some cruel comments from anonymous trolls.

'Strangers will judge you about why you're not losing weight,' Michelle said.

'Then the minute I posted the video of me on the pole I got lots of the crying with laughter emoji and comments saying that I shouldn't be up there.

'I couldn't win – I was trying to get healthy and change my lifestyle but they were still making fun of me.'

But sadly she has been met with some cruel comments from anonymous trolls. She said: 'The minute I posted the video of me on the pole I got lots of the crying with laughter emoji and comments saying that I shouldn't be up there'

But sadly she has been met with some cruel comments from anonymous trolls. She said: 'The minute I posted the video of me on the pole I got lots of the crying with laughter emoji and comments saying that I shouldn't be up there'

As a teenager, Michelle, assistant manager of a music school, kept in shape through hip hop and jazz dance, weighing 132lb (9st 6lb) when she was 13.

But she piled on the pounds, when she was at university studying music business, as her hectic schedule left her with little time to cook proper meals.

Instead, she reached for fatty, quick-fix snacks, eventually ballooning to almost 280lb (20st).

As a teenager, Michelle, assistant manager of a music school, kept in shape through hip hop and jazz dance, weighing 132lb (9st 6lb) when she was 13 (pictured)

As a teenager, Michelle, assistant manager of a music school, kept in shape through hip hop and jazz dance, weighing 132lb (9st 6lb) when she was 13 (pictured)

'I had so much school work I didn't have time to take care of myself,' she said.

'I wasn't eating for such long periods of the day. Then, in the evening, I would binge eat. I'd have burgers and pizza at midnight after I finished my schoolwork.'

In August last year, Michelle decided to make a change and adopt a healthier lifestyle. 

But she piled on the pounds, when she was at university studying music business, as her hectic schedule left her with little time to cook proper meals

But she piled on the pounds, when she was at university studying music business, as her hectic schedule left her with little time to cook proper meals

Instead, she reached for fatty, quick-fix snacks, eventually ballooning to almost 280lb (20st)

Instead, she reached for fatty, quick-fix snacks, eventually ballooning to almost 280lb (20st)

She went on a cleansing programme, dropping meat and dairy from her diet - losing 15lbs in just one month.

However, she was still inactive, so started looking into ways to exercise.

It was at this time that a friend suggested she came along to a pole-dancing class.

From the first session, she was hooked and now goes several times a week to an all-female studio.

Then a friend suggested Michelle (pictured in 2014) came along to a pole-dancing class and from the first session, she was hooked

Then a friend suggested Michelle (pictured in 2014) came along to a pole-dancing class and from the first session, she was hooked

She went on a cleansing programme last August, dropping meat and dairy from her diet - losing 15lbs in just one month

She went on a cleansing programme last August, dropping meat and dairy from her diet - losing 15lbs in just one month

She said: 'I found it challenging at first, but it was so rewarding.

'It's an amazing feeling when you nail a trick you've been trying to get.

'My hands are ripped apart by calluses and I have a permanent bruise on my thigh.

'Lots of people think being plus size will make it harder for you to dance or do pole, but I've had no trouble at all.

Michelle, pictured in September 2015, said: 'Lots of people think being plus size will make it harder for you to dance or do pole, but I've had no trouble at all'

Michelle, pictured in September 2015, said: 'Lots of people think being plus size will make it harder for you to dance or do pole, but I've had no trouble at all'

'I can go upside down on the pole – my size has never stopped me.'

Since taking up pole-dancing, Michelle has lost 30lb (2st 2lb), she's been placed second in a competition and discovered a new-found sexiness.

The classes have also reinvigorated her love for dance – a passion she gave up when back she started gaining weight.

Since taking up pole-dancing, Michelle has lost 30lb (2st 2lb), she's been placed second in a competition and discovered a new-found sexiness

Since taking up pole-dancing, Michelle has lost 30lb (2st 2lb), she's been placed second in a competition and discovered a new-found sexiness

Despite her online criticism, she has received praise from her friends, family and boyfriend, Bill McIlrrach, 29 (pictured)

Despite her online criticism, she has received praise from her friends, family and boyfriend, Bill McIlrrach, 29 (pictured)

Despite her online criticism, she has received praise from her friends, family and boyfriend, Bill McIlrrach, 29.

Now, she has even installed a pole at home – and said the changes in her body are noticeable.

'I've got muscle definition in my arms for the first time ever – just from climbing and pulling myself up the pole,' she explained.

'Pole dancing makes me feel sexy and free.

'I can be going into the studio having the worst day ever and come out feeling amazing.'

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