Meet Donna Madonia of Dynamic Training in Sagamore Beach

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Madonia.

Donna, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was an Executive Chef, classically trained from Johnson and Wales. being women in a man’s world back in the day I worked 80 hours a week, no days off. I was working since i was 12 years old every weekend. I had very poor health habits, eating fast foods, smoking 2 packs cigarettes and day and drinking nightly. I turned 29 and realized I needed to do something about it or I would not live long. So I joined a gym and made time to workout, I felt so intimidated and chubby yet I felt amazing after my workouts! The rest is history.

I love challenges and to be really good at what put my mind to so I made time to slow down a bit in the restaurant industry and became a group fitness instructor, then a Personal Trainer. This became a new escape for my stressful days in the restaurant business. I buried myself in learning more about it the fitness industry and did both careers for a long time. I decided to open a restaurant and as that was happening the deal fell thru.

I was not sure if I was going to look for a new location to open or go back to being an executive chef in another restaurant. I decided to take a breather and a couple months off to decide. This new gym that just opened by my house offered me a couple fitness classes to teach and let my contract as a personal trainer. I just happen to get so busy that the time off from the restaurant felt strange.

I was like well this ride will slow down soon and ill decide what I want to do a restaurant gig. It remained busy but I missed cooking and I decided to pick up weekend catering jobs down cape for fancy weddings and functions, it became too much getting up at 3:30 AM every day and working till 11 PM. so I remained with the fitness knowing it will slow down…but it never did. I decided to open a studio 6 years ago. I’ve been in the industry for almost 25 years, 16 years full time in homes other gyms and satellite locations and 6 years in my studio.

I loved that I was helping people who had some similar issues as myself and loved that I was the one helping them feel better about themselves

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Hmm…Nothing for me is smooth or easy. lol, I’ve worked so hard since I was a kid at everything I did and continue to work hard every day to be successful, I am always trying to be better. As a chef people loved me and never judged me no matter what…chubby, smoker, drinker… It was all was ok it was the norm etc.

When I got into fitness the industry was not like it is today, people are thankfully s more knowledgeable about their health and wellness. But it became harder the more fit I got. but it was also hard when I started and I was not fit and started to teach classes. people are very judgmental which I find is a huge obstacle in this industry. in the restaurant industry ever!

I worked hard to learn about nutrition and the human body and wellness then I became so much more fit.

People who didn’t see my progress from unhealthy to healthy thought it came easy and thought I was always fit which then became hard to get clients. So I had to approach people differently and make them feel comfortable around me and shove my story in their face. So my reputation proceeded then it became smoother. As you know chefs have a history of being a little nutty so it really helped me when I was teaching classes as I was goofy and a little different than the average person yet that made people like me more.

The challenges I have to know is I am in a small studio not a revolving door in a gym where I cant showcase my personality and win over clients I need to constantly work at it with social media etc. Thankful for my reputation it’s keeping me going strong.

Dynamic Training – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is all about the individual client’s needs, even in a small group session, everyone has a situation or an aliment to be addressed and receive the best and safe workout for them at that given time. That’s what personal training is. Every one of my clients I train all has a different need and goal. I work with 12-years-old up to 95-years-old. I worked with collegiate athletes to the frail seniors. I work with almost all aliments, pre and post-rehab clients

I worked with them all thru the years, but my main clientele are people who do not want to be in the big gyms, who have aliments and want to make sure they will not get injured or re-injured, people who have never worked out before, people who just want to be able to live longer, live alone, get up if they fall somewhere and people who want to feel special in a fun safe atmosphere.

Anyone or put people thru a workout that’s easy…and it’s not all about just the workout….its individual

*We make you want to come back because we are intuitive with every individual person

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success in making a difference in one person’s life or future to me is a success.

Pricing:

• Private Sessions $85-$65
• Small Group Personal Training Sessions $20-$12
• In Home Sessions $125-$200

Contact Info:

• Address: 112 state road Sagamore beach MA
• Website: https://www.dynamictrainingsite.com
• Phone: Busness #508-888-3418, Cell # 508-633-5425
• Email: dynamic-training@comcast.net
• Facebook: @DynamicTrainingLLC
• Twitter: @donnamadonia
• Other: @DynamicTraingingatthepinehills

Image Credit:
Lori Whalen Photography, Maureen Romboldi Photography

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