Founder of Vertical Vixen | Co-founder of the Pole Sports Federation of South Africa | Owner of Aerial Yoga
Julie Fowler is a pioneering force in the South African pole and aerial community. She is the founder of Vertical Vixen, co-founder of the Pole Sports Federation of South Africa, and the creative mind behind the Aerial Yoga brand. With nearly two decades of experience, Julie has helped shape the growth of pole sports, aerial fitness, and mindful movement across the country and beyond.
Her journey began in 2005, after returning from the UK and seeking a way to reconnect with her body. She found herself drawn to pole dance and Bikram yoga, initially to shed some post-travel weight—but what she discovered was a life-changing passion. By 2011, Julie had turned that passion into a full-time profession, and she has never looked back.
Julie has earned multiple national and international competition titles. In 2018, she won 1st place at the South African National Pole Sports Championships in the Elite Division, qualifying her to represent South Africa at the World Pole Sports Championships in Tarragona, Spain. There, she placed 22nd globally, making a remarkable jump from her earlier national placement of 35th.
After taking time off in 2019 to welcome her son, Jackson, Julie made a triumphant return to the competitive stage. In May 2024, she claimed 1st place in the Masters 40+ Artistic Category at the South African Pole Championships, breaking the national record and once again qualifying for Worlds. Later that year, she travelled to Sweden and proudly placed 5th in the world at the 2024 World Pole Championships—an incredible achievement that highlights her resilience, artistry, and athletic excellence.
Now based in George, South Africa, Julie continues to offer classes and mentorship to students across the country. She teaches both in-person and one-on-one online sessions, making her expertise accessible to students no matter where they are. Her teaching style is empowering, intuitive, and body-positive—encouraging students to not only develop their physical strength and technique but to embrace their individuality and grow in self-confidence.
For Julie, the most fulfilling part of her work is witnessing her students transform—becoming stronger, more expressive, and more at home in their bodies. Whether on the pole or in the air, she sees movement as a powerful tool for self-discovery and healing.
“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” — Oprah Winfrey