Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel ‘susie Scorpio’ Solís. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rachel ‘Susie Scorpio’, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Like most women in my culture I’ve been encouraged to follow more than lead, listen more than speak and to consider the feelings of others over my own.
Though my Mother did everything she could to counter these messages, the constant patriarchal input from mainstream media and my hometown’s Southern Baptist culture caused me to constantly question if I was good enough, smart enough and strong enough.
Did I deserve to live as loudly and boldly as my male peers? Could I be an innovator even though I felt looked down upon by most people in leadership positions? How could I get people to listen to me in a world where no one takes a cute little blonde girl seriously?
Every woman deserves to hold herself in high esteem. But how do you undo the subtle detrimental effects of being treated as a second class citizen?
By the time I was a teenager I realized that I could not rely on validation from other people to lift me up. If I wanted to feel good about myself I had to CHOOSE to do so while giving absolutely no value to the opinions of others.
For me the quest for confidence began when I first danced in front of a live audience. I was shy by nature and had no dance experience outside of my parents living room and on the playground as a kid. All I knew was that when I heard music my body needed to move. So I tried out for my high school’s Dance Team and for the first time ever was met with absolute positivity and excitement by my peers. Thus began a life long journey of fully owning my personal expression and most importantly my confidence.
Dance allowed me to connect with my body and emotions in a direct and powerful way. I noticed that when I shared it with others they were immediately uplifted as well. The stage became my sanctuary where I could lead an entire room full of people through an immersive and collective emotional experience that connected them more deeply to both themselves and with each other.
I got to experience growth as an athlete while I trained my body to master greater technical skill. I also got to experience growth as an artist while I dove into deeper vulnerability and was able to share myself more openly. I felt like I finally had a platform where I could take up space and demand undivided attention.
My self esteem really started soaring once I embraced and showcased the parts of myself that I was constantly shunned for, especially my sexuality.
Some of my earliest memories in life involve people telling me to cover up and act more ladylike. The constant message from family, school and society at large was that my sensuality was bad, my body was shameful and that expressing or experiencing my erotic desires was a sin worthy of punishment. This message grew 10x stronger when I realized I was also a lesbian.
With so much negativity connected to such a personal part of myself, I knew that if I ever wanted to shake it off I’d have to reframe and reclaim my sexuality in a big way. I soon stumbled upon the Art of Burlesque and creative Striptease. As I dove deeper into it I not only gained confidence but actually began to heal traumatic wounds inflicted on me by a conservative religious upbringing.
As women our sensual nature is often weaponized against us. People fear it because it’s a very powerful force. When Women realize their power they can no longer be belittled or controlled. What could be more threatening to a social system designed mainly for men to succeed?
I feel so empowered as I embrace the elements of womanhood that society shies away from through my performance art. It’s an act of defiance that requires and simultaneously gives me extreme confidence. After years of training and professional experience I am able to effectively transmute vulnerability into power (a profound personal experience). Doing this in private brings me peace. Sharing my Dance onstage brings me absolute joy as I share the moment with onlookers and see firsthand the transformative experience this offers them as well. Women and Men alike tell me how my Art has helped them accept their own bodies, queerness or sexuality. This is something I never expected but every time I hear it my self esteem expands as it becomes a collective force.
Im thankful for the courage it takes to dance freely and sensually in front of others. Im thankful to the people who belittled me and unknowingly encouraged me to be even bolder and more defiant in my artistic choices. Im thankful for every audience member who has ever let themselves step into a vulnerable moment with me during a performance.
Confidence is like a snowball. You have to overcome fear of rejection enough to get it rolling. But once it gains momentum it grows continuously and effortlessly. It’s also contagious and rubs off on others more easily than you can imagine. On days when my self esteem is struggling I have a whole community built by my confidence that lifts me up and reminds me just how impactful and important self acceptance can be.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I love to create unique & uplifting Cabaret shows with my Dance Company, The Aphrodisiacs, based in Honolulu, Hawaii. We do more than just entertain; We provide a creative platform that gives voice to the Sapphic experience through bold sensual expression. Our message of shameless self love holds a body positive space for people who are under represented in mainstream art, media and Dance.
You can catch us monthly performing live in Honolulu, Hawaii or virtually at www.patreon.com/AphrodisiacsBurlesque
Give us a follow on Instagram @the_aphrodisiacs
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Take the first step into autonomy and confidence by deciding that no one’s opinion about you matters. Once we let go of fear of rejection we’re able to fully accept ourselves as we are.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’d love to collaborate with musical artists who vibe with my message of sensual empowerment. Dance brings a visual element to music that brings listeners into the present moment and into a multimedia experience. The Aphrodisiacs Dance Revue are seeking musicians to partner with for both live performances and video/virtual collaborations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Aphrodisiacsburlesque.simpletix.com
- Instagram: @susie_scorpio @the_aphrodisiacs
- Facebook: Rachel Sue Ritchie
Image Credits
Steve Wilhelm & Taylor Cullen
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
