by Taylor Cole
Some guys are able to leave the biz with a great attitude toward it, to the point it makes us mad if we hear anyone bash it. We were able to get the best out of the biz without allowing it to affect our lives in a negative way. We benefited from dancing, and we knew that we would never experience the kind of midlife crisis that guys go through when they feel that they have passed their prime and settled in life without having truly lived.
If you pay attention to what you learn by being a stripper, then you will realize the importance of these skills, such as having the confidence to talk to a pretty lady. You’d be surprised how many men are scared of a pretty girl. Have you ever seen a pretty girl with an average guy? Well, that’s because he wasn’t scared to talk to her. Confidence. If every man had total confidence in himself, he would accomplish way more in life.
Being a male stripper can open doors, and if you’re smart, you take advantage of that while you’re still in your prime. I realized dancing was a great way to make money while trying to become a professional bodybuilder. It enabled me to have the lifestyle I needed to train properly. Other smart guys used the job to finish college.
The first doors dancing opened to me were with the friends I met. These guys became like family over the years. You’re with them more than you’re with anyone, even more than the guys who train in the gym with you. You’re with them through the good times and the bad. Even holidays. Most are really cool guys, and you’re happy to call them friends.
The ability to make as much money as you potentially can is an obvious door opened. It’s not as if there is a salary cap. The only limits are the ones you put on yourself. Modeling gigs are also frequently acquired. The first one I got was for a calendar of men from Dallas that sold by the thousands. It felt good to know I was going to be on the walls of so many girls. I was so proud of that. Then I did a photo shoot as a cowboy, and I see that pic everywhere like coffee mugs, snow globes, cork boards for people’s offices and iPhone skins. That was one of my best pics ever. Next was being a Playgirl centerfold. That was the first time I felt I really did something big in modeling since Playgirl was worldwide.
The best opportunity as a model was becoming a romance novel cover model and touring the country signing books and calendars. Meeting people who had read a book and visualized me as the main character always seemed so cool. It also got my foot in the door to be on national television on several appearances, including a cast member on a reality TV show, a couple of single appearances on regular TV shows and as a model on Good Morning Texas News.
Another door opened is relationships with women. I can honestly say the girls I was in serious relationships with were all special to me and great in their own ways. If I never started stripping, I would have never met them, and I’m so glad I did. To this day I consider them friends. And best of all, I found true love.
Dancing also helped me achieve my fitness goals. Since it’s our job to stay in shape, it’s almost like you get paid to have a healthy lifestyle. That’s a win-win situation to me since I enjoy working out and making money. And the benefit of being healthy is priceless.
Traveling is another perk of the job. When I started, I didn’t realize this door would be opened. I would have been happy dancing on that same hardwood stage the whole time, but after seeing the world, I’m glad it worked out the way it did. For a small-town boy to be able to spin a globe, stop it with my finger and have a good chance I would go there is overwhelming sometimes. A lot of people never leave the city where they grow up, much less their state. Or their country or even continent. But I’ve met people all over the world and seen so many different cultures. It’s a real blessing I’ve had.
Business opportunities are yet another door opened. Your network of people is increased every day, so if you have ideas or talents, they are easily marketed to adoring women. Several of my coworkers and I started successful businesses that we hope will carry us financially for the rest of our lives after it’s all said and done.
With each club I moved to, I would step up my game. I saw this same thing happen to many other guys as well. If you stay at one club, you have only the same guys to watch or to motivate you. Same skills, but when you travel and work with other dancers, you pick up all kinds of things. A lot of what you pick up is experience, and that is one of the most important things. Based out of a home club, we traveled on a weekly basis out of town, state and even country. We made a lot of cash, and we all have a safe somewhere. Opportunity knocks for dancers quite often but usually nothing too big. You have to make your own opportunity if you want to blow up.
Looking back, I can honestly say I have no regrets. Just the opposite. I have nothing but pride and joy from all my years of dancing. The parties, the girls, the life, the money… I know I chose the right path in life because it has given me so very much back! Unfortunately, not all dancers can say the same. I was one of the lucky ones and have landed on my feet after my dance career. I know that I will never have a midlife crisis because I got to do so many things that most men will never do or see.
We’ve performed on roadshows, at big casinos and sold-out venues, and then the next night, done a show at a bar in the middle of nowhere. Top of the world one night, in a dump the next. But that makes it fun. You just never know what’s going to happen. It’s hard to go from that lifestyle to the real world, but everything that begins must end and I wouldn’t trade a minute of it for anything. Not all ex-dancers can say the same. Life after dancing for some can be very difficult. Once, where looks could open doors, it now doesn’t. The lack of a good resume is a double whammy. You take the most depressed, burned-out, do-nothing dancer and if you talk about the old days, he’ll be guaranteed to smile.
I’ve spent eighty percent of my career in a relationship. In the other twenty percent of the time, I was able to experience some of the most beautiful women. Many, many beautiful women. Do I consider myself a slut? No way! I think of it as this, I was able to interview more women in that time frame for the possibility of matrimony than I ever would have been able to in the real world. In the real world, I was shy and always settled when it came to love. In this world, I was an alpha male who was able to date many women and from that vantage point, I was able to watch the cream rise to the top. For the first time, I tasted the cream—and I married her.
My original plan was to meet women, make money and have fun. All of that was accomplished and in greater amounts than I could ever have imagined! Getting to tour Europe was a lifetime dream. The way we toured was something very few get to experience. Four-star hotels and girls in every country treating us like celebrities! My beautiful wife, my beautiful children, my business…MY LIFE! I have all of these things because I chose to live a life of fun and adventure. Along the way, I saved and lived smart. Life is what you make of it, and it’s never too late! I never thought I’d be a published author. Who knows? New career?
About Taylor Cole
Taylor is a model and exotic dancer from Texas and an official Ellora’s Caveman. His photos have appeared on countless posters, calendars, magazines and book covers. He has been featured in newspaper and magazine articles, as well as on dozens of radio and television shows. He has won numerous competitions, including an international strip off contest and the Mr. Jamaica title.
About Justin Whitfield
Justin Whitfield graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Finance. He held the title of Mr. All-Natural Southwest U.S.A. and has appeared as a fitness model in numerous magazines. Justin also owns his own sports bar in Houston called The End Zone. He has worked at male revue clubs across the U.S. and is currently a Caveman cover model for Ellora's Cave.
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Take It Off!
ISBN 9781419942976
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Take It Off! Copyright © 2012 Taylor Cole & Justin Whitfield
Edited by Susan Edwards
Cover design by Syneca, photo from fotolia.com
Electronic book publication October 2012
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
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Photo Credits:
Photos courtesy of Pathik Shah
Taylor Cole and Justin Whitfield in front matter.
Taylor Cole in front matter
Taylor in Chapter Six
Photos by Will Duke
Justin in Chapter One
Justin and Taylor with EC Author in Chapter Three
Taylor with EC Author in Chapter Eight
Photos by Syneca
Justin Whitfield and Taylor Cole in front matter
Justin Whitfield in front matter
Justin Whitfield in Chapter Two
Taylor Cole in Chapter Two
Justin in Chapter Six
Justin Whitfield in Chapter Eight
Taylor Cole about the Author
Justin Whitfield about the Author
Cover of Feels Like the First Time on page 15: Photography and cover design by Syneca; Model: Justin
Cover of WyndRiver Sinner on page 20: Cover art by Syneca; Model: Taylor
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Table of Contents
Blurb
Photo Taylor Cole and Justin Whitfield
Title Page
Contents
Editor's Note
Photo Taylor Cole
Photo Justin Whitfield
Introduction: Stripper 101
Chapter One
Taylor: The Thrill of a Lifetime
Chapter Two
Photo Justin Whitfield and Taylor Cole
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Photo Taylor
Photo Justin
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Photo Taylor Cole and EC author Kristin Daniels
Photo Justin Whitfield
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
About the Authors
