Born in Russia and raised in Prague, Irina Ryzhakova is now a Vienna-based heel dancer, performer, and dance instructor. In her late twenties, she’s already turning heads—from captivating crowds as the “Street Catwoman” of Stephansplatz to gaining national recognition on the Czech & Slovakia’s Got Talent TV show in 2023.
In this episode, I sit down with Irina to unpack the stereotypes around heel dancing and explore how women can reclaim their sensuality, embrace their confidence, rise above self-doubt, and navigate body image anxiety. We also reflect on what it means to redefine strength and the power of femininity through bold—and sometimes provocative—forms of self-expression.
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