My first foray into pole dancing wasn’t the Defying Gravity moment I’d dreamed about (insert Wicked battlecry here). Yet, I survived, and brought home valuable lessons and experiences I won’t soon forget.
Huge, HUGE thanks to my editors Ziggy, Matthew, and Erika, for helping me wrangle my many many many thoughts and anxieties in the making of this story! Special shout-out to my dear friend Jasmine (and Ziggy again) for talking all-things poles with me!
Matts Added Note: Hien’s updated his website with a brand new look! Make sure to pop over and say hi! Never a better time to go sign up to his Patreon either of give him a follow on the socials =D
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↓ Comic Transcript
Page 1
Spun Out by Hien Pham, published 8/12/2025 on https://www.ohjoysextoy.com/spun-out-hien-pham
Hien Pham illustrates in a more realistically rendered style. His color palette rests in the pink-purple hues for the scenes inside the pole dance studio, and then out in the regular world it uses the full spectrum of colors. He is a Southeast Asian cisgender heavyset man with a short, bushy, black beard, fuzzy body hair, and glasses. He is mostly bald on top, with the rest of his hair pulled back into a bun.
Narration: I felt like Britney Spears.
In a dramatic purple-pink light in a dark room, Hien's sweaty hands clasp the vertical pole before him, with his face distorted in the reflection on it.
Narration: Warming up to pole dance wrung out a sensuality that my body doesn't always have the space to express.
Hien rotates around the pole with control, landing in profile to the viewer. He looks calm, lost in his own moment with his eyes gently closed.
Narration: See, I've wanted to try pole for years, but it wasn't until a few months ago that I enrolled in some beginners' trial classes.
With more effort, Hien bends forward, tipping his head between his arms that are still holding the pole.
Behind him, the athletic, flexible instructor tells the class, "Climb down on the pole and stretch your calves!" as she does so with ease.
Narration: Some parts I struggled with, some I took to very quickly.
In a montage of detail panels, Hien takes a deliberate, dancer-y step around the pole and repositions his hand on it.
Narration: I just couldn't get enough of the spin!
His foot takes a dramatic sweep across the floor.
Page 2
Hien swirls around his pole in uninhibited joy.
Narration: My legs held out much better than I thought they would!
He continues his movements around the pole, lifting his leg to hook the back pocket behind his knee around the hard metal.
Narration: Transitioning from a grounded move to aerial ones made me feel incredible.
Spinning rapidly, both of Hien's feet are off the ground.
Narration: I knew I would have fun, but there's a reason why it took me forever to give pole a shot.
The action comes to a halt as Hien's gripping hand quivers, shaking the pole.
Narration: I feared my fragile artist's arms wouldn't be able to keep up.
Page 3
"Ahg!" Hien exclaims as he lands hard on his foot. Collecting himself, he massages his wrist while trying to laugh off the pain, saying, "Oof... That's really tough..."
"Hah!" A voice from off panel laughs.
Over Hien's shoulder, we see the athletic pole dance instructor easily holding her entire weight off the ground, solely from the strength of her hand and grip strength on the pole. "Well, this is what you signed up for!" She says sassily, to a round of laughter from her other students who are in various positions on their own poles.
Narration: I'd planned to ask if the course could accommodate my physical abilities that day.
Hien's expression is complicated while he continues to hold his aching wrist. It is a combination of surprise, hurt, offense, and confusion.
He takes a moment to breathe in a calming, deep breath.
Returning to a neutral expression, he exhales.
Narration: It felt pointless after that.
Page 4
Outside in a sunny, green park, Hien sits on a bench in his casual clothes, talking on the phone.
"Oh, hun!" The voice on the phone exclaims. "I can't believe the instructor said that! Of all people! Were they going for a sassy friendly banter or something?"
"Maybe? Probably?" Hien replies, looking tired. "But, for a class advertised as welcoming and inclusive, choosing to take a jab without offering guidance before or after doesn't inspire great confidence in me." Small frustration lines radiate from Hien's head while he rests his chin in his free hand. "I'm not asking to be coddled, but I had hoped at least for some grace and support while I tried to keep up. Maybe this studio's teaching style and class structure just aren't a great fit for me."
"I'm sorry to hear, hun. Instead of building you up, they... urgh!!!" The phone voice fumes.
"Yeah... I'm not gonna come back." Hien resolves.
"I don't blame you!" Says his friend. "I'm proud of you for giving it a shot, though."
Relaxing and even smiling a tiny bit, Hien answers, "Thank you. I'm glad I did."
Page 5
"I genuinely loved warming up and moving like a pop star!" Hien's voice narrates over a pink and purple-hued flashback to him popping his booty in the pole class. "Leaning into the spin made me feel a joy I hadn't felt before." His voices continues over another flashback of him spinning around the pole confidently.
Back in the park, he adds with a smile, "And now I know more about what me and my body need from a pole dancing class." Perking up, he exclaims, "Plus, I love that we can talk about poles! I had no idea you practiced too!"
"Babe," His friend states. "you should totally come dance at my studio! Smaller class sizes, and we take it slow. Take your time to process, but, I'm here whenever you're ready."
From behind Hien, the view looks out at the wide open blue sky that is dotted with white clouds.
"Yeah." Says Hien. "It might be a little while, but... I know I can take a positive spin on it, for sure."
Transcribed by Erika Moen on 8/11/2025 for ohjoysextoy.com
Spun Out by Hien Pham, published 8/12/2025 on https://www.ohjoysextoy.com/spun-out-hien-pham
Hien Pham illustrates in a more realistically rendered style. His color palette rests in the pink-purple hues for the scenes inside the pole dance studio, and then out in the regular world it uses the full spectrum of colors. He is a Southeast Asian cisgender heavyset man with a short, bushy, black beard, fuzzy body hair, and glasses. He is mostly bald on top, with the rest of his hair pulled back into a bun.
Narration: I felt like Britney Spears.
In a dramatic purple-pink light in a dark room, Hien's sweaty hands clasp the vertical pole before him, with his face distorted in the reflection on it.
Narration: Warming up to pole dance wrung out a sensuality that my body doesn't always have the space to express.
Hien rotates around the pole with control, landing in profile to the viewer. He looks calm, lost in his own moment with his eyes gently closed.
Narration: See, I've wanted to try pole for years, but it wasn't until a few months ago that I enrolled in some beginners' trial classes.
With more effort, Hien bends forward, tipping his head between his arms that are still holding the pole.
Behind him, the athletic, flexible instructor tells the class, "Climb down on the pole and stretch your calves!" as she does so with ease.
Narration: Some parts I struggled with, some I took to very quickly.
In a montage of detail panels, Hien takes a deliberate, dancer-y step around the pole and repositions his hand on it.
Narration: I just couldn't get enough of the spin!
His foot takes a dramatic sweep across the floor.
Page 2
Hien swirls around his pole in uninhibited joy.
Narration: My legs held out much better than I thought they would!
He continues his movements around the pole, lifting his leg to hook the back pocket behind his knee around the hard metal.
Narration: Transitioning from a grounded move to aerial ones made me feel incredible.
Spinning rapidly, both of Hien's feet are off the ground.
Narration: I knew I would have fun, but there's a reason why it took me forever to give pole a shot.
The action comes to a halt as Hien's gripping hand quivers, shaking the pole.
Narration: I feared my fragile artist's arms wouldn't be able to keep up.
Page 3
"Ahg!" Hien exclaims as he lands hard on his foot. Collecting himself, he massages his wrist while trying to laugh off the pain, saying, "Oof... That's really tough..."
"Hah!" A voice from off panel laughs.
Over Hien's shoulder, we see the athletic pole dance instructor easily holding her entire weight off the ground, solely from the strength of her hand and grip strength on the pole. "Well, this is what you signed up for!" She says sassily, to a round of laughter from her other students who are in various positions on their own poles.
Narration: I'd planned to ask if the course could accommodate my physical abilities that day.
Hien's expression is complicated while he continues to hold his aching wrist. It is a combination of surprise, hurt, offense, and confusion.
He takes a moment to breathe in a calming, deep breath.
Returning to a neutral expression, he exhales.
Narration: It felt pointless after that.
Page 4
Outside in a sunny, green park, Hien sits on a bench in his casual clothes, talking on the phone.
"Oh, hun!" The voice on the phone exclaims. "I can't believe the instructor said that! Of all people! Were they going for a sassy friendly banter or something?"
"Maybe? Probably?" Hien replies, looking tired. "But, for a class advertised as welcoming and inclusive, choosing to take a jab without offering guidance before or after doesn't inspire great confidence in me." Small frustration lines radiate from Hien's head while he rests his chin in his free hand. "I'm not asking to be coddled, but I had hoped at least for some grace and support while I tried to keep up. Maybe this studio's teaching style and class structure just aren't a great fit for me."
"I'm sorry to hear, hun. Instead of building you up, they... urgh!!!" The phone voice fumes.
"Yeah... I'm not gonna come back." Hien resolves.
"I don't blame you!" Says his friend. "I'm proud of you for giving it a shot, though."
Relaxing and even smiling a tiny bit, Hien answers, "Thank you. I'm glad I did."
Page 5
"I genuinely loved warming up and moving like a pop star!" Hien's voice narrates over a pink and purple-hued flashback to him popping his booty in the pole class. "Leaning into the spin made me feel a joy I hadn't felt before." His voices continues over another flashback of him spinning around the pole confidently.
Back in the park, he adds with a smile, "And now I know more about what me and my body need from a pole dancing class." Perking up, he exclaims, "Plus, I love that we can talk about poles! I had no idea you practiced too!"
"Babe," His friend states. "you should totally come dance at my studio! Smaller class sizes, and we take it slow. Take your time to process, but, I'm here whenever you're ready."
From behind Hien, the view looks out at the wide open blue sky that is dotted with white clouds.
"Yeah." Says Hien. "It might be a little while, but... I know I can take a positive spin on it, for sure."
Transcribed by Erika Moen on 8/11/2025 for ohjoysextoy.com