Today we’d like to introduce you to DaiJa Monet.
Hi DaiJa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am from Denver, Colorado and graduated from Howard University. I started pre-med and wanted to be a doctor. I just knew I was going to find the cure for something. But, I instead got into preventative medicine; health and fitness specifically. I walked into a gym looking for a part-time job as a freshman at Howard. They thought I wanted to be a trainer; however, I did not know a dumbbell from a treadmill (kidding but not really). I was just wanted to work with people and have a job. But it opened my eyes to health through the lens of fitness and nutrition, and it was history from that point on.
I started collaborating with Essentia Water after discovering the water in my front desk job at the gym and training clients for free on the side. The trainers were changing people’s lives. It was amazing. I wanted to help and connect with people. I asked what was the best gym and was told Equinox. I was so new but eager to learn so I could impact the most people. With hardly any experience and no certifications, I applied to the number one gym in the world: Equinox. I wanted to START at the top and learn from the best. I interviewed and got denied but the manager told me, “if you can get your personal training certification, I will hire you.” Two months later, I was the youngest trainer on the staff. I trained clients in Paris, Germany, New York, and Washington D.C. on my own. I then moved to Los Angeles and continued my personal training journey, of which then evolved into me starting my own fitness company: Dai Fit.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting is never a smooth road, but you have to start if you care about something. I dealt with self-doubt a lot. I was new in a male-dominated industry as a black woman with a short Jada Pinkett haircut. I was also selling to a high-profile “VIP” clientele. I was 20, and it was intimidating. Self-confidence and execution had to be on ten at all times. The self-doubt started to go away once I was seeing the tangible change in my clients. I helped so many different people that year; however, it was a rough start in the beginning. I was working full-time, clients on the side, in school full time, and needed to party because it was my senior year. My clients were professional, full-time adults. I had to be on point. Nevertheless, I got through it and became an amazing trainer in the process. Hard-work is the answer to 90% of obstacles.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dai Fit is my business I created to help people with their fitness and health goals across the world. I actually wear all of the hats in my company: personal training, programming, marketing, sales, bookkeeping, etc. I train 100% of my clients, and they are either virtual or in person. I will travel to my clients also in different state upon request. Dai Fit provides resources and accountability to guarantee results. I became mostly virtual so I could help people regardless of their location. Besides just getting body results, I like to help my clients establish routines, build their confidence, and understand how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is not all about the external results, although those are important too. I also send my clients little things to be successful in their journey like workout equipment or the correct protein powder. My ultimate goal is to just help people feel comfortable in their body and be a part of their support system while they are on their journey. I am most proud of my clients. They work so hard and commit to themselves. They are inspiring. I am most proud of them. For sure. They take the cake.
How do you think about happiness?
Music, fruit, and JayZ, in no order. Music is the answer to everything besides hard work. Music connects people. Fruit is the answer to just feeling good. And JayZ is just the greatest of all time. My idol. I did my all-nighters listening to Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint. He is simply the best.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: daifit.org
- Instagram: daifitorg
Image Credits
Photo 1 (photo with me and client)- Photographed by @darrinthegreat Photo 2 (photo with me in the grey)- Photographed by @blacklightimaging Photos 4-6 (photos with me on the rooftop)- Photographed by @jordanluke._
