Today we’d like to introduce you to Dana Winowiecki.
Hi Dana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for health and fitness. I grew up on a farm in Leelanau County. This is where my passion came alive. I remember spending countless hours practicing basketball in our barn or on the gravel driveway, jumping over shrubs and bushes spread throughout the “back-forty” to practice my hurdling, sprinting up and down the berry rows to work
on my conditioning and preparing a weekly family meal from the fruits and vegetables that we grew on the farm. Growing up this way, hard work wasn’t an option, it was a necessity.
Indeed, it was this same hard work that landed me a full ride scholarship to Central Michigan University to play basketball. This was a dream come true and I had my mind set to be a physical therapist. Upon arriving to CMU, I unfortunately tore my left ACL, definitely not part of my plan. However, this setback ended up being a blessing in disguise. I red-shirted my freshmen year and worked hard at rehabbing my knee back to shape with the goal to exceed expectations. In fact, I worked so hard that I was clear for full contact and competition after only 5 months! While I felt strong and confident, I decided to sit out the remainder of the year to continue to hone my strength and agility. This is we’re my fitness passion blossomed. I enjoyed going to my rehab daily. I loved testing my limits and seeing my growth. My trainer sensed my eagerness to learn and actually let me start designing my rehab programs! That summer I came home and shadowed a physical therapist here in Traverse City. Initially, I was so excited, but unfortunately, that was short-lived. While I enjoyed the rehab part, I found physical therapy to be repetitive: lots of similar injuries with similar rehab programs. While at home, I knew I needed to workout hard and maintain my strength if I wanted to play the following season. I hit the gym hard that summer and genuinely enjoyed designing workouts. I could train the same muscle group in so many different ways. I decided at the end of that summer that I didn’t want to go into Physical Therapy, but that I wanted to help people be healthy through working out and diet!
After college, I became a ACSM certified Personal Trainer and trained in Grand Rapids, Chicago, Fort Collins, Denver and, finally, Traverse City from 2008-2018. I trained everyone from 5 year-olds to FBI agents to quadriplegics to semi pro athletes. I loved the challenge. Everyone had different goals. Everyone had different body types, different strengths and weakness. I truly loved being challenged day in and day out to help these individuals reach their goals no matter how big or small they were. As we all know, fitness and nutrition go hand and hand so, in 2016, I started prepping and cooking healthy meals for people. Cooking allowing me to help my clients in a whole new way. I was fueling my clients with nutritious meals that would also aid in helping them reach their goals. Cooking is my form of a creative, artistic outlet and truly is a passion of mine.
In 2018 and 2019, my husband and I were blessed with our pride and joys, Harken and Aria. While I wanted to continue to provide for all of my clients, I ultimately made the difficult choice to step away from Personal Training and Meal Prepping so that I might better provide for my family. Though, while I may have stepped away from the scene, I still had a foot in the door. I kept in contact with many of my clients who I care so deeply about. While caring for my small family, I realized I still had a “calling” to help others. This time “off” solidified my knowing that there’s nothing of more value to me than helping somebody go through an experience that makes them happy, healthy, confident, and strong. I am ‘In it To Win It’ with every client I’m privileged to serve regardless of their health and fitness condition.
In 2023, In It to Win It was Born. Traverse City and surrounding areas are full of amazing trainers and wellness coaches so I decided to put my focus more on the nutrition side of health and fitness, specifically in, Meal Prep.
In It to Win It Meal Prep Service is here to offer healthy, well-balanced meals using locally source produce and products from a variety of local farmers and small businesses in North Michigan. In It to Win It meals are all homemade and packaged fresh without any additives or preservatives. We know how important it is to fuel your body with wholesome, natural, and nutritious food. Let us help you discover how great it can feel to eat healthy and well-balanced meals each day, knowing you are giving yourself and your family the best! In It to Win it eliminates the need to shop, cook, correctly portion and clean. All you have to do is heat, and eat! In just two short minutes, you can enjoy a fresh – never frozen! – gourmet meal with everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
Our menu will be developed around what local produce is in season. Menu items will change weekly/biweekly and monthly. In It to Win It will offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options available in Individual or Family (4) portions. Orders will need to be placed the week prior and will be ready for Pick Up or Delivery (Stocked) on the following Wednesday.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, it has been smooth sailing. I am a one man show (with the help of my husband here and there). I do all the cooking, cleaning, menu planning, labels, website, accounting etc. It can be overwhelming at times but I find comfort in knowing I am providing others with amazing nutritious meals. My hardest days are Monday and Tuesday and then the rest of the week is a breeze.
Another thing that has been harder to navigate is consistency from week to week. In It To Win It does not have memberships or subscriptions. I do not want to have people lock into getting weekly meals. I want my customers to get what they need, when they need it. Through personal experience, I find that if I am inodiated with products from a subscription or membership, instead of skipping, I cancel. I do not want people cancelling. Some weeks I have 250 plus servings going out, and others I have 120. From a planning and budgeting standpoint, it’s been hard navigating cost of goods and menu costs without know who is ordering or what will be order. The one thing that is consistent, is my customer support. Over the past three years, I have retained many of my customers and I am so grateful for their continued support.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I own and operate a small-batch meal prep business focused on creating delicious, macro-friendly meals made with wholesome, nutritious ingredients. My passion is taking favorite recipes and transforming them into healthier versions without sacrificing flavor. Every meal is prepared from scratch, and I personally handle everything—from menu planning and grocery shopping to prepping, cooking, packaging, and even the delivery.
Whenever possible, I source organic and/or locally grown ingredients because I believe quality ingredients make better meals. My menus are built around what’s in season and offer a wide variety of options, including breakfast, soups, salads, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, and dips. Over the past three years, I’ve created more than 250 different menu items. I also offer both individual meals and family-size portions, with a balance of beef, chicken, turkey, pork, seafood, and vegan/vegetarian options, along with a variety of flavor profiles to keep things exciting.
One thing that truly sets my business apart is flexibility. Unlike many large meal prep companies, I don’t require subscriptions or memberships. Customers simply order what they want, when they want it. I also work hard to accommodate dietary needs and personal preferences, whether that’s gluten-free, dairy-free, avoiding onions, peppers, cilantro, adjusting spice levels, or other requests. I believe everyone deserves meals they can enjoy with confidence.
My menus change every two weeks, allowing me to keep things fresh and seasonal while giving customers plenty of variety. Meals are typically ready for pickup on Wednesdays, though I often have them ready as early as Tuesday evening.
What I’m most proud of is building a business that reflects who I am and what I believe in. My goal has always been to provide meals that are both nourishing and genuinely enjoyable while treating every customer like family. I’m constantly learning, listening to feedback, and looking for ways to improve. I don’t strive for perfection—I strive for progress. That commitment to authenticity, quality, and continuous improvement is what I believe truly sets my business apart.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Traverse City and Leelanau are both wonderful areas. Aside from the natural beautiful, there are some amazing people here too. From a business stand point, I truly enjoy how many local farmers, farm markets and stands and local products that are at our finger times during the spring/summer/and fall months.
Pricing:
- Family Serving $45-50
- Individual Serving $14-17
- Snacks $5-10
- Shipping/Deliver – $5-10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danafitandfresh.com
- Instagram: danafitandfresh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwinittowinit/
