As a three time Olympian, Olympic Gold Medalist and the first African-American woman to receive an individual medal in gymnastics, Dominique Dawes has been setting records and inspiring crowds for decades. As a member of the historic 1996 Women's Gymnastics Team that clinched the Gold, this dynamic Montgomery County native is giving back to the community in another amazing way - with the opening of her Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy in Clarksburg!
The impressive 20,000 square foot facility is a state of the art gymnasium and Ninja Warrior course, but it is decidedly not an intense Olympic training facility. Dominique explains “Everything I am building here I would want for my kids, including the safe, positive and empowering environment that we ensure here.” This includes the character of her staff being of the highest priority, strict sanitation and COVID compliant procedures as well as complete transparency with parents. Windows were added to the waiting room so family members can watch from there, but Dominique went a step beyond and installed SpotTV, a live streaming service where family members can log in for free and watch virtually. This has been a big hit with out-of-town grandparents, as well as parents that can't make it to every practice to watch their child. Never again will a parent miss an amazing milestone of their child!
Aiming to take away the intense anxiety, excessive critiquing, and extreme competitiveness - as well as some of the other negative aspects that have plagued the sport of gymnastics - Dominique is making the focus on kids being physically and emotionally healthy, building lasting friendships, enjoying exercising, and wanting to come back for more. “We want kids to develop a strong foundation to help propel them in gymnastics and ninja, as well as in other sports, by working on strength, flexibility, confidence, agility, and speed. We aim to celebrate the small successes that each child accomplishes by encouraging the positive instead of solely critiquing the negative.” In that way, Dominique is not only the owner and founder of this establishment, but also “the biggest cheerleader.”
“Awesome Dawesome” is known for her physical strength and resiliency, and has embodied these traits in her professional life as well. She designed and built her facility, then delayed and adapted its opening due to COVID-19. While simultaneously managing the facility's development, staffing, and daily operations alongside her husband, Dominique is also mom to four young children. Since the opening of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy, local families (including her own) have been loving the classes and safe exercise environment. At a time when getting out of the house is a necessity but also a challenge, she offers a clean and welcoming sports facility that is a ton of fun for all ages! In addition to the assortment of gymnastics classes, the ninja warrior training has been quite popular, with its focus on martial arts techniques and challenging obstacle courses that evolve each week. There is also a separate preschool tumbling space, parent and child programs, cheer & tumble classes, an infant friendly waiting room, and a private birthday party area. While continuing to connect with families in the community, Dominique hopes to expand operations in Montgomery County and the DC area in the future, which is a winning formula for everyone!
Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy
22530 Gateway Center Drive
Clarksburg, Md 20871
240-690-4138
