Welcome back to our provider interview series, A Tryst With, we're so happy to have you! Today we're catching up with Philadelphia Pro Dominant Xliah Arachne!
So you’re a Pro Dominant, how did you find your way here, and what has that been like for you?
First and foremost I am a lifestyle dominant. For as long as I can remember I was enamored by the thought of being the one in power. Growing up, I was the soft spoken one who always followed the rules. I lived by order and understood my place in the world, or so I thought. I began learning about kink to fulfill my own sexual desires and it eventually evolved into practicing dominance with my personal play partners. It was exhilarating to understand that I could make the rules instead of following them and that there seemed to be a never ending supply of those who desired my dominance over them.
As I got deeper into my career as a bodybuilder, I was introduced to webcamming by someone in the industry. I began streaming on a website specializing in female muscle and this was where things started to change for me. I began to notice I was naturally attracting a lot of individuals who wished to submit to me. It clicked in my head then that I could make a career out of fulfilling both my desires and those of my submissives. I decided to work at a house dungeon to gain the kind of experience that would be near impossible in my personal play alone. From there I transitioned to being a full-time independent pro dominant doing both live sessions and online domination. I also still utilize webcamming in my work.
It is an incredible feeling to have a career that fulfils me deeply on so many levels. I am filled with gratitude.
We know there's a link between the construction of both taboo and of fetish, can you tell us a little bit about how this functions for you?
I see this link clearly in the work that I do. The very things that are forbidden or frowned upon because of cultural, religious, or political views are often what becomes fetishized. I see the excitement of toying with the forbidden and the rush of partaking in something considered extreme. It can be a thin line to walk along. However, so long as the taboos being played with are not crossing into the realm of illegality, I wholeheartedly encourage delving deeply into play with them. I genuinely enjoy helping others experience the catharsis that can result when taboos are played with safely.
What has sex work taught you about beauty standards?
Every single unique feature has the potential to be adored by someone. Being the best version of your unique vision for yourself is the best you can strive for. However, I believe it is completely valid to want to change something about yourself while still being true to yourself. We can love ourselves and still want to evolve and change. My body has taken many forms and it will continue to because I genuinely love the act of self-transformation.
Could you tell us a bit about how you got into bodybuilding?
I was living in Japan for a gap year that turned into a three-year stay. At one point I was seeking an outlet and decided to join the health club near my apartment in Tokyo to benefit my mental and physical health. I was completely sedentary for most of my life, aside from a short stint on a swimming team as a child which I promptly quit. I had absolutely no intention of being a bodybuilder, at first I didn’t even intend to train with weights. I started with cardio machines and eventually I thought the weights looked fun. I began teaching myself how to train and within a few weeks I had already noticed an improvement in my physique. That was all I needed to become addicted to it, I knew if I gave it my full effort the results would be exponential.
From there on I spent all my free time studying about training and nutrition. Eventually, I dropped out of fashion college to return to the USA and obtained both bachelors and masters degrees in exercise science. I coached myself for several bodybuilding competitions and eventually became a professional bodybuilder winning my IFBB (International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation) pro card in 2021.
Do you feel that it influences your sex work?
Absolutely. There is a powerful appeal to many for raw physical strength. Being a bodybuilder is one important characteristic of many which shape my image. It also affords the opportunity for many fun uses in sessions such as lift and carry and muscle worship.
Do you feel the intentional pursuit of body modification has influenced your sex work and vice versa?
Absolutely. On a surface level, it grants me with a unique look that draws the curious in and makes my image stand out. On a much deeper level, it illustrates important principles of my own dominance. To me, to endure reaps rewards. I dislike pain greatly, however I am willing to endure any amount of it to reach whatever goal I desire. The greatest pleasures must be earned and are enjoyed more thoroughly because of the difficulty in obtaining them. This is a theme I play with often in my dominance.
Is there a common assumption people make about Pro Dominants that really ticks you off?
An assumption that bothers me is when Pro Dominants are viewed as “mechanical fetish dispensers.” My idea of a session is always a fluid collaboration between two individuals. Of course, as the dominant I will always be taking the lead, but we are all perfectly imperfect human beings that must communicate and create a connection, whether it is just for an hour or multiple years.
What are some things you needed to ‘unlearn’ to be good at your job?
It may sound antithetical to some, but I believe unlearning the ego has been essential in my life. Controlling my own ego has been essential to my domination, leadership, and the never ending growth of my mind and body. Do not be afraid to unlearn anything you thought you knew and humble yourself often. Constant growth and self-improvement is magnetic and I have found it has been a strong motivator for others to trust me with their submission.
Is there a book, blog, tv show, or movie that you’re into at the moment? Why?
I recently rewatched one of my favorite horror films, American Mary. It is about a medical student who delves into the world of extreme surgical body modification due to unfortunate circumstances. This movie is beautifully dark and plays with a lot of themes I enjoy, especially my love for medical fetishism and body modification. I recommend it.
My favorite scent is: A combination of vanilla and rose.
I get a big thrill out of: Pushing my body to the limit, whether it is by getting under a barbell with a weight that can crush me, or getting my tongue split in half.
A movie I can watch over and over without ever getting tired of is: House of 1000 Corpses
We'll get along if: You love to train hard in the gym, drink good coffee, and watch horror films.
My dream vacation is: Going back to Japan for at least a month, I miss it often.
Want to meet Philadelphia Pro Dominant Xliah Arachne in person?
Head over to her profile! 👇👇👇
