Who wants to talk about sex?
Shelly Skinner is hoping it’s a lot of people and she is here to listen and help. The 35-year-old has been a hit with Rogers TV Barrie as her show The Pleasure Diva is an open and honest discussion about not just sex and the issues involving human sexuality, but also the ever-important aspect of pleasure.
“I was interested in sexuality early and attended Concordia University to study Human Relations and Sexuality,” said Skinner. “What I realized was that the studies were centred on the psyche, which is incredible, women’s issues and the LGBTQ community and mainly facts and figures; very little was discussed in terms of pleasure. I just felt like that was obviously a huge part of sex and we should be talking about it much more than we do.”
Having moved to Barrie in 2012, Skinner does admit that she noticed that the city was a bit more reserved and conservative than her hometown of Brampton in the GTA. Family circumstances brought her up the 400 highway but Skinner says it wasn’t exactly easy to start out as all of her clients were still in the Toronto area and London as well. It was a chance meeting with Rogers that got the sex-help woman back into it.
“I had taken a bit of a break as it was just such a new setting and away from my comfort level of close clients,” said Skinner. “I did find that Barrie was conservative but also full of adults that have little time with each other because of traveling to work, kids sports and other things that take away from being intimate with each other. My drive was reignited and I decided to get back out there and do what I love to do.”
Skinner got back into having tables at shows and getting the word out for her business and it was a chance meeting with someone from the popular Rogers TV Barrie show Man Time that led to a big break. Shelly was invited to talk about sexuality and relationships and the show was one of the highest rated in Man Time’s season. It became talk to have Shelly on in a more prominent role with the station and The Pleasure Diva hit the airwaves this past February. The experience has been a positive one for Skinner as a business woman but also as someone who is passionate about education on sex and pleasure.
"It’s been amazing and I love every minute of it,” said Skinner. “The show has really gotten me out there and known to the local community which is obviously beneficial but not just for monetary reasons; I now have a platform to which I can connect to people who have been afraid or otherwise lost in how to improve their sex life. If I’m helping relationships through this TV show or having people call me to come to their home and speak to them, then it’s definitely working. I also am blessed with the connections and the friends that I’ve made through this. I have other ventures and things that I’m passionate about that are helped through this as well, its awesome how life comes together sometimes.”
Skinner’s other passion is planning events and charity functions. The mother of two knows how important it is to give back to the community and enjoys doing so. While in university, Skinner got involved in many organizations and causes. Running fundraising events for AIDS Care Community Montreal and some sex-positive events for the Concordia union has since led Skinner to co-produce some fun events that have raised money and awareness for local charities in a unique way. The Gatsby Garden Benefit was held this past June at the Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club. Raising over $4,300 for the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie, the GGB saw guests dress up in 1920s fashion and enjoy music from the roaring era. It was a very different spin on awareness and that is the goal for some more Pleasure Diva Presents occasions.
“I love putting these big night’s together and giving charity and function a new way to raise money and celebrate their cause,” said Skinner. “I am branching out on my own with the events stuff and have a lot of cool things on the go. There will be a Dominatrix 101 Workshop on Nov. 20 at the Rock n’ Pole at 149 Welham Road in Unit 14. In February we will be private screening the new 50 Shades of Grey movie called 50 Shades Darker. There’s also a sex-comedy show happening soon which would be super fun, and I will announce more on that once details are finalized.“
But it’s not just behind the scenes that Skinner is helping with causes. On Nov. 12 at a fashion show called Reflection: A Night of Flaunting Fashion Theatre, Skinner will hit the Mady Theatre runway in lingerie for a night of fun, but also to raise funds for the Royal Regional Health Centre for the future Child and Youth Mental Health Inpatient Unit and the Seasons Centre For Grieving Children. It’s these events and her show that show exactly who Skinner is.
“I am authentically me,” said Skinner. “I am open about my passions yet easy to talk to. I feel there is always a time and place for certain talk obviously, but I am hoping people know that they too can just be them and happy with who they are. I think it’s why my show works so well. I’m not raunchy or crass; it’s very open discussion about sex and pleasure from someone who is well educated on the topic and not just up there because of how she relays things. I will answer questions on the air in anonymity of course and am now working at an in-home style office and shop for couple mentoring.”
Skinner is building a shop attached to her home for couple therapy and pleasure advice by appointment only. It will be a unique session and shop experience to assist couples in their need for better sex and communication. The Pleasure Diva airs on Rogers TV Barrie on Fridays at 10 p.m. in Barrie. It also airs throughout other towns Simcoe County; check your local listings for those days and times.
For more information on The Pleasure Diva Presents events and other related info, check out Shelly, The Pleasure Diva on Facebook and on Twitter at @thepleasurediva
