Meet Dorina Rigo

We recently connected with Dorina Rigo and have shared our conversation below.

Dorina, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

If you ask me where my work ethic comes from, buckle up—because it’s a mix of strict parenting, wild weekends, and waking up at sunrise to hustle.

Growing up, my parents had a motto: “Discipline is love in action.” At the time, it felt more like house arrest with a side of math homework. They were strict. Think: military-level structure but without the uniform. Chores had to be done a certain way, bed made like I was expecting a hotel inspector, and don’t even think about skipping homework. It wasn’t about punishment—it was about pride, integrity, and showing up fully, even for the smallest tasks.

But here’s the twist: I wasn’t a saint. In high school, Friday to Sunday belonged to teenage rebellion. Parties, dancing, friends—I lived for the weekend. But come Monday, I’d flip the switch. If a paper was due, if exams were near, I’d stay up until 3 a.m. grinding. I could go from dancing under strobe lights to decoding Shakespeare and algebra like a scholar possessed. It was like living a double life—student by day, party warrior by weekend. But that contrast taught me balance. It taught me that discipline doesn’t mean never having fun—it means knowing when it’s time to turn it on.

Then came my twenties. I joined a cruise ship crew. And let me tell you—if you really want to learn what hard work means, try serving 5,000 guests with a smile after 14 hours on your feet, all while the floor rocks beneath you. No shortcuts, no “I’ll do it tomorrow.” The ship doesn’t wait. That experience taught me endurance and teamwork on a whole new level.

Fast forward to when I landed in Canada—I had two jobs. Morning shift in one, evening shift in another. I wasn’t building an empire (yet), but I was building me—grit, responsibility, and a hustle that doesn’t ask for permission.

So yes, I partied. Yes, I had strict parents. And yes, I’ve worked from cruise decks to Canadian winters. But all of that—every bit—shaped the work ethic I carry today. Relentless, focused, and with just enough spice to keep it interesting.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Then something unexpected happened. Somewhere between juggling jobs and chasing dreams, I stumbled upon a fitness method that literally lifted me off the ground—rebounding. You know, bouncing on mini trampolines like an energized Tigger with purpose? Even better, jumping on bouncy rebound boot! At first, it felt like play. But then I realized—it was joy disguised as exercise. My inner child high-fived my adult self, and I was hooked.

This wasn’t just another workout. It was different. Low-impact, high-energy, and ridiculously fun. The kind of movement that makes your heart race not just from cardio, but from happiness. So I did what any obsessed, slightly crazy entrepreneur would do: I became a distributor for a rebound brand. I wanted to share this with everyone—from my tired coworkers to my neighbor’s grumpy cat (okay, maybe not the cat).

Fast forward 12 years, a dozen countries, thousands of classes, and endless bounce-induced smiles later—in 2022, I took the leap. Not just off the rebound boots —but into the wild world of launching my own brand: Fit Boots.

But Fit Boots isn’t just about the boots. Or the bounce. Or even the burn – we burn 25% more calories than any other exercise.

Fit Boots is a movement—a sweaty, smiley, ridiculously welcoming fitness revolution. My mission is simple:
Get people to fall in love with exercise again.

Not the kind that feels like punishment. Not the “ugh, I have to” kind.
But the “OMG I can’t believe I’m having this much fun AND burning calories” kind.

We’ve built an inclusive community where everyone is welcome. All ages, all sizes, all backgrounds. If you’ve got feet and a heartbeat, you’ve got a place with us.

Because fitness should feel like freedom. Like flying. Like reclaiming your joy—one bounce at a time.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Oh, only three? That’s like picking your favorite pair of sneakers—but here we go:

1. Relentless Grit (a.k.a. Hustle with Heart)

From strict childhood rules to working two jobs in a new country, grit has been my secret sauce. It’s that inner voice that says, “Just one more rep, one more day, one more bounce.” Building a brand from scratch, especially in the fitness industry, means constantly being told “no” or “not yet.” Grit made me keep going until I turned those into “YES” and “NOW.”

Advice:
You don’t have to be the most talented, but you do need to be the most consistent. Show up for yourself like it’s non-negotiable—because it is. Train your grit like a muscle. Every tough day is a rep.

2. People Skills (a.k.a. Energy is Contagious)

Whether it was convincing a cruise ship guest to dance at 10 a.m. or leading a group class of shy first-timers, I learned early that people don’t remember what you said—they remember how you made them feel. Fit Boots became a community because people felt seen, celebrated, and supported.

Advice:
Treat relationships like treasure. Build your circle with authenticity. Smile more, listen deeper, and don’t be afraid to lift others while you climb. People follow passion, not perfection.

3. Vision + Execution (a.k.a. Dream It, Do It, Refine It)

Having a vision—like creating a joyful, inclusive fitness brand—is one thing. But pairing that with action is where the magic happens. I didn’t wait for perfect conditions. I started messy, learned fast, and refined as I grew.

Advice:
Clarity comes from doing, not overthinking. Want to build something? Start small. Launch the blog. Host the class. Post the video. You’ll figure it out as you go. Dream big—but move your feet.

No one hands you confidence. You build it—bounce by bounce, decision by decision. And if you’re reading this, you’ve already got something powerful in you. So trust it. Feed it. And then? Jump into your own story.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Oh, overwhelm? We’re old friends. We’ve had coffee at 2 a.m., brainstormed at airports, and argued in the backroom before big events. But here’s the truth: Overwhelm doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you care deeply.

When it hits me—when the to-do list feels taller than me in Fit Boots—I pause. Not forever. Just long enough to do three things that bring me back to center:

1. I Breathe (Seriously, just… breathe)

Not some fancy yoga pose (though I love those too). I literally stop, close my eyes, and take three deep, grounding breaths. It sounds too simple, but when your brain’s racing at 100 km/h, breathing is like pulling the emergency brake. My mom taught me this

Try it:
Inhale for 4. Hold for 4. Exhale for 6. Do that three times. Watch your nervous system sigh in relief.

2. I Prioritize Like a Rebel

I write everything down—yes, even “drink water” if needed. Then I ask:

“If I could only do ONE thing today that moves the needle, what would it be?”
Then I circle that one thing and treat it like gold. The rest? They’ll either get done… or they weren’t as important as I thought.

Pro tip:
You don’t need to do everything. You need to do the right things and start delegating more ( I am still working on this)

3. I Move

Not just because I’m in fitness. But because movement changes everything. I put on my Fit Boots, blast my favorite playlist, and bounce it out. Ten minutes of jumping, dancing, or even walking can shake the chaos right out of your head.

Advice:
When in doubt, move your body. You’ll come back to your problems with fresh eyes—and maybe even a little sass.

And lastly, I remind myself: You’ve done hard things before. You’ll do them again.
Overwhelm is just a sign that you’re expanding. Growing. Leveling up.

So don’t fear it—dance with it.

Even if that dance includes ugly crying in your kitchen with peanut butter on a spoon (been there too).

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.fit-boots.com
• Instagram: @fit.boots
• Facebook: Fitboots
• Linkedin: Dorinarigo
• Youtube: Fitboots