Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympian (Barcelona ’92, Atlanta ’96, Sydney ’00) and member of the “Magnificent Seven,” the first American team to win gold in women’s gymnastics at the 1996 Olympics.
As the proud Founder and Brand Ambassador of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies, she continues her lifelong commitment to fostering a healthy, compassionate culture for children through gymnastics and ninja fitness.
Dominique opened her first academy in July 2020, amid a global pandemic, followed by a second location in April 2023. Her third academy in Columbia just celebrated its Grand Opening in September 2024—check it out!
“Every day, I watch young girls and boys walk out of my facility sweating and smiling. This journey has been more rewarding, more thrilling than standing on any Olympic podium.”
Dominique Dawes is a wife and mother of four young children who inspire her advocacy of health and wellness-related endeavors. Dawes’ passion has always been to educate and empower families, women, and young girls on issues related to physical and mental health.
Dominique’s experiences in gymnastics as a child were not always positive. She has been a vocal critic of the sport’s “toxic culture,” speaking out against the emotional, psychological, and physical abuse she and other gymnasts have endured.
She has served as a national ambassador for numerous nonprofits and corporations and was the first national spokesperson for the Girl Scouts of the USA’s “Uniquely Me! The Girl Scout/Dove Self Esteem Program.” She continues to work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and has been a prolific speaker since the 1996 Olympic Games.
One of Dominique’s key priorities for our Academy is to prioritize the mental and physical health and well-being of every child above scores and rankings. Her goal is to carefully manage the number of hours children train and emphasize the importance of a well-rounded life outside of gymnastics. We also focus on building a culture of kindness and respect, where children are encouraged to be good teammates and to support one another.
