Meet Frannie Dawkins

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Frannie Dawkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Frannie , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I have always been a creative soul at heart- but what inspires me the most in this particular industry is constantly learning. There is always a new subject or nuance I want to dive into to not only grow as a personal trainer, but also to continue to get those creative juices flowing. Learning is the best way to open your mind to things you otherwise would have never even thought to do. If I could paid to learn I would!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a personal trainer and yoga instructor and I specialize in building strength, functional movement and therapeutics. This is truly an amazing field and I am so beyond blessed to be doing what I love. Personal training is so unique because of the impact it can make on a person’s daily life- and that is the most special part to me. I love being able to see the tangible change in someone as they achieve their goals and start to feel better each day. It truly is such a gift!! My brand is built on the daily wins; in 2020 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia which began my movement journey. Because of this, I LOVE helping people to find those victories and conquer their fears- I will be your biggest cheerleader! It is beyond rewarding to see my clients grow and become more confident in and outside the gym.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Being Eager to Learn- I can’t tell you how important it is to keep an open mind to not only learning knew things but also learning knew ways of thinking. Just because something has always been done a certain way, doesn’t make it right for every person and every situation. Let yourself be open to the possibility of changing your mindset as you learn and I promise it will pay dividends.

2. Seeking Out Experts- In the same vein as number 1, I would suggest asking questions of people who have been in your field or are in it (or something adjacent) who have the experience and the knowledge to help you grow. Don’t be afraid to ask of not knowing something! Instead, reach out to people you know have the answer- they may give you more than you were looking for!

3. Be Kind to People- being kind is underrated. Kindness and a listening ear go a long way. You don’t have to be a bully to get to where you want to go. Instead, listen more and treat others with respect.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I have so many people to thank for supporting me on my journey. Of course my parents and my amazing husband, Cole, have been with me through every high and low. There are so many people to name it is hard to pick!! Leah Wrobel, my first yoga instructor, helped me when I was in a hard place. She introduced me to yoga and showed me how to love movement again. She truly was the catalyst for this journey- something I NEVER thought I’d be doing. Sarah Ganka is also a pivotal mentor and friend in my life. She encouraged me to go even further than I thought I could. Katie Wetzel showed me that I could also be strong and introduced me to weight lifting. Finally, everyone at Stat wellness was so encouraging and supportive. There are far more people who have been by my side throughout this journey and I could never have done it without them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @_franniiii and @flowin_w_franniiii

Image Credits

Stephen Spake