“Someone asks you to do something… you figure out who to go to, what you need for it... and then make it happen!”
So says the local fitness guru that we’re taking inspiration from this month (and who recently joined us for a tasting with Chef Anna) Madeline Ann Dolente, personal trainer extraordinaire, creator of Lava Cycle and Reebok ONE Ambassador.
Owner of 69 (yep… no typo there, one short of SEVENTY!) different fitness certifications, Madeline got her start in the fitness world back as a freshman in college with some step classes at the local YMCA. It was her first class at the gym and half way into class, the director of the gym was asking her to teach a class the following week. Madeline didn’t know if the director was joking or being serious, but she agreed to the challenge, without having any idea of how to teach a class. She was nervous but excited to take on the challenge.
Enter her “make it happen” streak. First, she sought out the best step instructor and asked for a cassette tape so she could practice with music. Then she started taking two classes a day so she could put together a routine of her own. Role model to learn from? Check. More time in the seat as a student? Check. Learning on the job as a teacher? Check. Before long she got tapped on the shoulder by the Gold’s Gym where she trained to lead classes there too.
Find a challenge, learn, grow, lead. That’s a pattern Madeline’s clearly wired to. But she’s also drawn powerful inspiration for her training work from her own experience using fitness as an antidote to personal hardship. Growing up her mom had a series of bouts with cancer. During one such round in high school, Madeline played soccer and lacrosse, and it was during the offseason that a friend introduced her to the gym. When Madeline was challenged with her Mom’s cancer, the gym became a place where she could “sweat out all the frustrations."
Even though Madeline played sports growing up, she always dreaded running. Madeline joined the Cross Country Team in College because she knew she would learn to enjoy it if she was with other people who were passionate about running. Later that season she placed top 10 and has now completed 22 marathons. A friend asked her what she would do if she came in last. She realized it didn’t matter because it was more important that she proved to herself that she was capable.
Fast forward to her life now as a trainer and Madeline brings that same mindset to her work with clients – encouraging them to keep changing things up and to use fitness as a way to channel challenges and frustrations into something healthy and new. Most recently she helped a client who is going through a divorce conquer not one, but two Spartan races.
“Fitness evolves, just like everything else. If you’re always evolving, you’re always making progress and you don’t get stuck in that rut,” she says. “You can use nutrition [and] fitness to create something fulfilling."
Like any good journey, Madeline's came with lots of learning to pass along. Here are a few of her faves under the #mypowermoment heading:
- Don’t worry about what you’ll look like, insteadthink about how great you will feel when you overcome your fears.
- Take a risk and do something that seems challenging. You won’t know how much fun you could have or howgood you could be unless you try.
- There is never a good time to get started, so don’t put off making changes to your nutrition or fitness routine. Do it today because you are worth it! Need a challenge? Come do a Spartan race with me!
Thanks Madeline for sharing your story. Here’s to you, and to others like you helping folks live better through fitness and nutrition. For more of her motivation, follow Madeline on Instagram or her website: www.madfitness.com.
Have a #mypowermoment story or tip of your own to share? We’re always looking to celebrate those small wins that could lead to bigger change. You may even win a tasting with one of the talented chefs from the local network of food smarties that craft Power Supply meals!
