Leisha Bond, 52, was a high-flying legal eagle heading up a top UK family law when she felt something was missing from her life. She found the answer climbing a different type of greasy pole…
A top barrister has revealed the unusual way she likes to blow off steam after a long day serving justice – pole dancing. Leisha Bond, 52, hangs up her gown and wig after a day in court then slips into knee‑high boots and a bikini to practise pole tricks by night.
The family lawyer only tried the sport last January after feeling “something was missing in her life” but now trains five times a week and says she’s never felt more empowered. The mum-of-one feels fitter now than she did in her 30s and says the intense exercise has worked wonders for her Type 1 diabetes.
Leisha, who has worked as a lawyer since 1999, said: “I think I was having a bit of a malaise when I turned 50. 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. I’ve done my job since 1999, most of the people who started with me are judges and that didn’t appeal to me.
“I got headhunted to head up a family law department in October 2024. Something didn’t feel right after taking this job initially, I wasn’t quite right. It felt like I was missing something.
“And it turned out my something was pole dancing.”
Leisha, from Kenilworth, Warks, had wanted to step out of her comfort zone and Googled pole dancing classes nearby. She started attending sessions at Pole Elevation, Coventry, and quickly fell in love with it.
Leisha added: “I can’t say why but I remember Googling pole dancing classes near me. I thought it would be a challenge and so far out of my comfort zone.
“I was so far from sporty at school, I was the kid who was picked last at everything. The egg and spoon race was as good as it got for me.
“I started in January 2025, and I went to one lesson a week. In the February I went and picked up another lesson and was doing it two times a week.
“It snowballed and now I’m scheduled for five times a week. It’s through the week and one day of the weekend – it can be a lot.
Some may say pole dancing is a little too saucy for a barrister, but Leisha says her family and friends are supportive. She said: “I haven’t had anyone say anything to my face, you can tell if someone doesn’t necessarily agree with what you do.
“Someone did say to me at a party ‘do you think it’s an appropriate thing to do as a barrister?’ – and that was from another woman.
“I’m not defined by my job or what I do outside of it.”
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