In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Dominique Gauthier, the vibrant founder and owner of Body Mind Fitness, nestled in Lambeth, Ontario—just a stone's throw from London. Our conversation is packed with laughter and warmth, as we dive into Dom's unexpected journey from nearly flunking out of ninth-grade gym class to becoming a gym owner! With acting as her #1 passion, Dom bravely moved to New York after high school, where she honed her craft at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) and snagged several acting gigs thereafter. Although yoga sporadically appeared on her radar during her school years, it wasn’t until a transformative Body Balance class at Goodlife that the fitness bug bit her.
Before long, Dom took the plunge into teaching yoga, using her flair for performance to guide her classes with confidence. As her maternity leave approached, an exciting opportunity arose to open her own yoga studio within a shared gym setting in Lambeth. Fast forward six months postpartum, and Body Mind Fitness was born! However, sharing the space proved challenging, leading Dom to seize a neighbouring opportunity right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Talk about pivoting! She navigated the complexities of opening and growing her business during such uncertain times with resilience and creativity.
Dom's journey also sparked an interest in pelvic floor health, especially post-baby, and she’s now a specialist in exercises that support and enhance this critical area. In our conversation, she explains concepts like 360-degree breathing and its connection to pelvic floor health, breaking it down into friendly, relatable language. We share somewhat embarrassing experiences related to pelvic health after childbirth, but Dom assures us that it’s completely normal, and importantly, fixable!
We dig into the benefits and drawbacks of "Stroller Boot Camps", as Dom encourages new moms to ease into their postpartum journey instead of rushing back to that elusive “pre-baby body.” Plus, we're excited to hear that Body Mind Fitness has recently joined Yoga Alliance as a Certified Yoga Teacher Training Centre. Dom’s approach to training is refreshingly unique, aligning with her personal beliefs and values, and offers a more personalized, non-traditional take on yoga.
Whether you’re a seasoned yogi, just starting your fitness journey, or are thinking about opening a gym yourself, you won’t want to miss this enlightening episode. For more information, be sure to check out bodymindfitness.ca or follow Dom on Instagram @bodymindfitness.ca!
