At age 44 with four kids Dominique Dawes, a three-time Olympic gymnast, never imagined she would operate her own gymnastics and ninja academy. However, years after the notorious national abuse scandal broke, she has vowed to do what's in her power to change the sport. Dawes is committed to creating a healthier culture in the world of gymnastics for her kids and yours!
Dawes, nicknamed “Awesome Dawesome," was a gymnast for 18 years and a member of the U.S. national gymnastics team for1 0 years. She was born in Silver Spring, graduated from Gaithersburg High School and the University of Maryland, College Park. She started taking gymnastic classes at age 6 and won her first competition at 9. Throughout her storied career she became the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in women’s gymnastics. After taking home one Olympic gold medal and three bronze medals, she retired in 2000.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Dawes has used her platform to influence young people to lead healthy and productive lives. She served as co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness Sports under President Obama. She is also a popular motivational speaker, urging young listeners to focus on achieving their highest potential not only through athleticism but by leading a well-rounded life. Since retiring from gymnastics she has enjoyed such varied activities as appearing in music videos, playing the role of Patty Simcox in Grease on Broadway, and supported such worthy causes as Ronald McDonald House Charities and autism awareness campaigns.
The gymnastics legend is a super-busy powerhouse on the home front as well. In 2013 she married a local teacher who understands the importance of developing a healthy environment for kids to thrive. They now have four children, including 3 year-old twins. Her goal to give children a safe space to practice the sport led to the opening of The Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy in Clarksburg, Maryland last July.
Dawes' objective is not to necessarily build Olympians – they don’t have a competitive team yet – but to help develop successful individuals with compassion and confidence. The fully-equipped gym offers classes for kids nine months old to 18 years old in gymnastics and, she jokes, “4 to 94 years old in Ninja — Ninja is for adults as well.”
Ninja warrior training is inspired by the popular television shows “American Ninja Warrior" and "American Ninja Warrior Junior." Exercises consist of martial arts, challenging obstacle courses and gymnastic techniques. According to the gym’s website, “In Ninja classes an athlete can choose to train ‘just for fun and fitness’ or ‘to improve their fundamentals’ to help them excel on the lacrosse and soccer field, basketball court or any other sport that they are pursuing.”
Parents can schedule birthday parties at the gym, and summer camp is also offered. Dawes’ daughters (age 7 and 5) are committed to gymnastics while her twin toddlers enjoy jumping on the trampoline.
Today the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy is thriving, with almost 1,000 students currently enrolled. The team is now in the process of hiring more – “building the right team of people is a priority of mine,” Dawes says, adding that she wants to find coaches who love working with kids and who know how much words matter. To date she has hired multi-dimensional people including artists, musicians, and aspiring teachers. “In the end,” Dawes says, “I want our kids to be happy and healthy people, not just outstanding gymnasts.”
For more information visit: hwww.dominiquedawesgymnasticsacademy.com or call 240-690-4138.