Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Maxwell.
Dominique, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Back in the 80s a tomboy was born. I loved everything about sports. I played various sports throughout middle school up until high school including basketball, volleyball, soccer, and softball. I knew I wanted to work in sports or just be active as an adult or be some type of food critic because I LOVED food. I really didn’t have an issue with my nutrition until college. Once college started, I had the biggest awakening! I couldn’t eat what I wanted to and stay the same size without playing sports. Go figure lol! I realized I had gained the infamous freshman 15 plus some.
Once I got an apartment, a car, and a job I was able to start cooking for myself. To be honest, I had 0 experience in the kitchen until that moment. Let me tell you something, I was horrible! Who messes up minute rice, instant oatmeal, or box macaroni? Me, that’s who. Well lucky for me there was a Food Channel that walked you through it because I was the kid that was never under my mom when she cooked. I was always outside. Sighs. So now that I had the cooking portion under decent control I needed to do something about the fitness part. Luckily I joined the National Guard for some structure and of course some help in the fitness area. Once I graduated college, I received a BS in Kinesiology and a certification from ACSM in personal training. I knew I wanted to teach others how to eat right plus keep a healthy body. Easy peasy.
However, over the years, I figured out that being a trainer in a gym was not right for me. The pay was awful and the gym was too restrictive because you had to train around the other 100 guest in there at the same time. So I quit training for a few years and got different jobs. I would always find myself giving advice regarding fitness, overall health, food knowledge. I would attract people who needed my help with weight-loss so it kinda stuck with me through it all.
In 2015, I started eating my feelings after an awful breakup. I looked on that scale and saw 190 for the first time in my life! My mental health was low as I suffered from depression, anxiety, and emotional eating. Two things happened to me that helped me take the first step: 1. A button popped off of my favorite pair of jeans and 2. My mom sent me a photo of myself that she had taken and I was unrecognizable. So I got back in the gym, went pescatarian and was determined to be the best version of myself. During that journey, I also learned about myself. I learned which emotions triggered poor eating habits, everyone doesn’t really support you, the scale is not your friend, the food pyramid doesn’t work for me, I am lactose intolerant, and my overall health improved once I started changing the way I ate. After finishing my journey at 155 in 2016, I knew I had to create something to REALLY help my clients because I know I can’t be alone.
So late 2018, I created my business, DMaxEffect LLC, in order to cater to people that need support for their OVERALL health struggles. I help my clients tackle life’s obstacles that hit them daily. I am a living testimony that it’s more to it than going to the gym and eating perfect. I help my clients reach an overall healthy mindset.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Having a full-time job and part-time entrepreneur is hard in itself. In the beginning, I wore myself out. I was trying to do everything all at once and barely had time to myself. I had to learn how to make money without being present all the time which is difficult when your business is service-based. However over time, I have added services that are the most beneficial to my audience. I have also removed unnecessary services because the need was low. I realized I was giving my clients my energy and didn’t save myself any so I had to figure out a way to balance that out. I cannot give great service if my mental health is low or I’m not eating right. So I’ve had to check myself on multiple occasions.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the DMaxEffect LLC story. Tell us more about the business.
Originally when I started DME I offered training and all natural supplements. I believed in them because I had used them on my journey back in 2015 so I wanted to share the wealth being a distributor for them. Today I have a few services added to the mix.
Accountability Service – This is for the person who may or may not know what to do and I guide them the entire time locally or virtually.
Personal Training – One on one or Group Training. Bootcamps coming soon
Meal Prep – Weekly plans available for pickup only
Meal/Exercise plans – Customized plans based on consumer’s needs
Smoothie/Detox-Smoothie/Fruit Juice drinks available.
I am proud that my business is SLOWLY evolving into the vision I had for it. I think my knowledge and actual experience sets me apart from other companies. I choose to work with those that are mentally ready to make that change. Also, my meal prep sets me apart from other trainers. I want people to still enjoy food and not starve just to be thin. I want you to be healthy regardless of what size you fit into.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
None. I believe God has put me into situations and circumstances to grow into a better person as well as a better leader for my company. I look at these as lessons and I pull out the good from the situation and figure out how this can add to myself and my business. My faith keeps me grounded, sane, and focused. I also know my mother, Veda Maxwell keeps me in her prayers despite the different paths I’ve taken in my life. My support system is amazing. My two best friends back in Arkansas, Fanchon and Amber have always supported my business ventures no matter how crazy they seem. I am very blessed to have people in my life that truly encourage and support me and DME!
Pricing:
- Training starts at 40/session
- Meal prep start at 7/meal
- Accountability starts at 75/month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dmaxeffect.com
- Phone: 972-322-9226
- Email: dmaxeffect@gmail.com
- Instagram: @dmaxeffect
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