We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dinah Goodman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dinah below.
Alright, Dinah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My parents were very strict, especially my mother. My mom was a disciplinarian and my dad, an Army veteran, was strict in a different way but had an amazing sense of humor to buffer the hurt. They balanced each other out perfectly. While my mother was concerned with protecting us from anything bad the world could throw at us, she also delivered the cold, hard truth of what life could be about, showing us local crime articles in the paper with the threat of “this could happen to you if you aren’t careful…”. She didn’t hold back on the truth. My dad delivered the truth and love with a kind, warm demeanor. Between both these extremes, I learned how to adapt and overcome to any life situation, good or bad.
Having success and failure in life can both cause stress in different ways. My parents taught me to work hard, never accept less than the best from myself, but bring your best as well to others. No matter the circumstances, I am able to navigate through the difficult times with my faith and my upbringing. I wish I could say I have always appreciated everything my parents taught me but, as is the case with many young people, it took some growing up before I could fully understand and appreciate all that my parents taught me, and to see their complete point of view. Isn’t life funny like that? My dad used to say, “youth is wasted on the young”…if I had only known earlier what I have grown to comprehend now. They have impacted my life in the biggest ways and I still don’t want to disappoint them, even as I enter age 57 this month.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was raised in a military household, with my father having been in the Army. I was always into sports and enjoyed exercise and gymnastics. When I joined the Army in 1986, I discovered I could do so much more than I ever thought I was capable of. I excelled and got out of the Army to work with people with disabilities and other various jobs. I always worked out and had became a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, cycling instructor, gymnastics instructor, and nutritionist. I did some body builder and then powerlifting. I then joined the Navy and retired from the Navy after a break between services. I enjoyed it immensely and, were it not for medical issues, I would still be in.
When I retired from the military, I did some criminal justice and IT work but always worked part time in some capacity in the health and fitness industry. We opened up a box gym in Texas. My husband retired from the military and I came to North Carolina to take care of my parents. I have done various jobs, all of which I enjoyed because I like to work and believe in being the best at work, no matter the position I am in.
We decided to open a studio fitness center and Boone Trail Fit Body Boot Camp was born! We specialize in High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that anyone of any age or fitness level can participate in, as we modify the exercises for each individual need. We also provide personal training services. Our staff is highly certified and professional…they love what they do.
I am most proud of the warm, caring, loving, and accepting environment we have created at Boone Trail Fit Body Boot Camp. Our clients are our biggest asset and we foster an environment where anyone and everyone can feel comfortable working out and socializing with other members. The people connection is the most important asset we can have. We let anyone try us out for a week for free to see if they will like us and then we fall in love with each other.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Coming from a military background, the work environment and leadership is completely different from the civilian world. Where it is acceptable and necessary sometimes to be direct and blunt in the military, it may not serve a purpose as much in the civilian sector. I had to learn to change my leadership style and soften my approach to be able to relate to my staff and clients in a more approachable manner. I could be intimidating without even realizing it so I have learned to listen better to the needs of others. It took some trial and error, and my directness offended some people. However, now people are less intimidated and can come speak to me. I learned to soften my heart towards others more as well. We all have a story and our own journey to travel.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
If I could single out one thing that I feel has brought me success, I would say it is the people connection. I have a strong faith and I believe people need to feel connected and cared about in order to invest in anything in life, including going to gym and working out. I have seen the magic when clients come in and automatically a smile comes across their faces because they know this will be a positive, uplifting experience and they can let down their guard here. If there is no people connection, there is limited success because people want to belong to something bigger than themselves and to have meaning and productivity. Our clients come in, gather with each other, socialize, and then make friendships that last. They take these friendships and do other healthy activities, which benefits everyone. Get to know each person, know their name, what makes them tick, and what is their reason for doing what they do. The people connection will get us far.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fitbodybootcamp.com/locations/fayetteville-nc/
- Instagram: @boonetrailFit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitBodyBooneTrail
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsnW1a3wuAI
Image Credits
New Creation Photography