Today we’d like to introduce you to Lexi Dixon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started my journey in fitness back in 2020. I graduated college during the peak of covid with a degree in business and a diagnoses of 3 auto immune disorders. I”ll admit during college I partied hard and kept the studying to a minimum, mainly because like many other students, I was unsure of what I really wanted to do with the rest of my life. There’s so much pressure at the age of 18 to have it all figured out, and I frankly did not. I struggled to find any motivation to apply for jobs, especially when all jobs at the time were virtual. What I soon realized was I had no passion for a desk job, I had never envisioned that for myself, so why wasI trying to fit that mold?
My entire body was covered in psoriasis, my immune system was attacking itself, my confidence was at an all time low, and I was struggling mentally. During this period I found my way back into fitness. I realized that I needed to prioritize my health. At first it was to pass the time during covid lockdowns, but it quickly turned into my escape. Movement was healing me. I was eating better, my college habits of drinking and partying were gone, and I started to feel my confidence coming back. That’s when it clicked for me. I wanted to make people feel good in their skin. I needed people to see that exercise does so much more for you than enhance your physical appearance. Movement improves your mental health, reduces stress, and improves brain function just to name a few.
I began my personal training certification through NASM, a top accredited fitness certification. While I studied, I worked at planet fitness in Jackson MI, as a Member Service Representative. This job to say the least, made me realize that I never wanted to work in a box gym. No hate to box gyms, but I noticed how much say you don’t have and how little training you’re actually doing. I worked here for 6 months, took my certification test and passed. I interviewed at a few different places but nothing stuck until I took a chance on a chiropractic clinic in Lansing.
This clinic was expanding into the fitness world with small group fitness classes. I was excited for the opportunity to learn and finally start making an impact. It took some time and a lot of patience to see the gym expand, but during that process I was learning a lot and working one on one with patients. I did therapeutic exercise, k-laser treatments, and some front desk work. This was a huge learning curve, but exactly what shaped me into the trainer I am today. I worked with a variety of patients; young, injured, old, pregnant women, and athletes. During my time here, I also taught small group fitness classes, this is where I shined. I still think about the relationships I built there and I am forever grateful for the knowledge I gained. However, my time at this clinic needed to come to an end. I needed more money, more hours, and to get out of Lansing.
Around December, 2023 I landed an interview at Erin Cantrell Fitness in Ann Arbor. A cute boutique studio that offered me almost a full-time schedule as an independent contractor. I got lucky, something that most fight to achieve. I started with a very open schedule that turned into working multiple jam packed 10 hour days. I started teaching bigger group classes, and instantly fell in love. I was making so many connections and relationships with the members.. Around two years in, I began to teach sculpt classes, a strength-based pilates class. I was terrified, I was not a pilates girl and continued to tell myself that, but here I am still currently teaching those said classes. I have found myself as a personal trainer at ECF and continue to work with so many amazing people, I truly have the best clients, most that have turned into my friends. I’ve met their kids, I’ve kept their secrets, and most importantly I make them enjoy working out. I roughly see around 30 clients. a week and teach 3 classes.
I knew when I shifted to working it fitness that I always wanted to build my own studio. I have started to take clients on my own. For now online and in-person at their homes or gyms. But, I can see in the near future a studio of my own in the works! A studio that creates an environment we can feel safe in, vulnerable, lift one another up, empower each other, and most importantly build a healthy relationship with our bodies and mind.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. I think a lot of my struggles along the way were due to my mental health. I have struggled with anxiety, depression, and OCD my entire life. Early on in my career, I let my anxiety get in the way. I doubted my capabilities, and stayed timid. I knew that I was taking an unconventional path and a lot of people didn’t understand. But, I had a vision for my life and I knew I could make it happen. I’m very grateful and appreciative of my parents for, maybe not understanding at first, but for always showing their support and love. I worked limited hours, overtime, and received crap pay, but was always hustling to make it in the fitness world.
I also struggled with comparison. I compared my body to other trainers and social media. I felt that because I didn’t have the most “toned” body or the most athletic build, or wasn’t a former athlete I didn’t deserve to be in this industry. I noticed a lot of the trainers around me had their ‘niche”. Some were dancers, others boxer, marathon runners, or powerlifters. But me? I wasn’t anything. I was just a girl who loved exercise. I felt at times unqualified, even tho I wasn’t. I’ve continuously work on my mental health and have found a calm with the help of therapy and a psychiatrist. I still struggle with the fitness trends and fads that this industry is consumed by. One fad currently being the ozempademic. One thing I wish more people knew, that I’ve struggled with is that you don’t need to shrink yourself to fit in. We as women especially, do not need to be the smallest we’ve ever been. We need to be the strongest, healthiest, and most confident we’ve ever been.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am not the perfect personal trainer and I don’t present I am to my clients. I think I’ve found so much success in this business because I can relate to everyone that walks through the door. I don’t workout every day, I skip some days even. I don’t stick to a strict diet, I even indulge in fast food, sweets, and drinks with friends. Some might even go to the extreme to say I’m unprofessional. I become best friends with my clients. I go to graduation parties, birthday parties, respond to their texts when I’m not on the clock, and listen to what’s going on in their life. I am apart of their support system. They know me on a personal level and our sessions are better because of it. I have built my own little community among my clients and that is exactly why I do what I do.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck has had an immense impact on my life and business. It’s strange how things have played out and opportunities have fallen into my lap. I credit luck but I also would credit my intuition. I never ignore my gut instinct. It might not make sense or seem feasible at first, but I will take the leap if it feels right. I also believe that the community I’ve built among my clients has had an impact on my career. I work with such talented, smart, and empowering women. They cheer me on in all my endeavors, encourage me to step out of my comfort zone, and believe in me even when I don’t. I owe a lot of my “luck” to them. So, if you’re my client and you’re reading this, thank you and I love you!
Pricing:
- 60min training $80
- 45min training $65
- 30min Training %50
- online programs I sell periodically roughly between $150-$250
Contact Info:
- Website: lexdfitness@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexidixon_
- Other: https://linktr.ee/lexidixon_?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b2ee9991-ef78-4232-9b29-bfe5d051abef
