Episode 121- Olympian Dominique Dawes on How To Find Fulfillment

Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympic gymnast who helped Team USA to its first ever gold medal at the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996….

Episode 121- Olympian Dominique Dawes on How To Find Fulfillment

Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympic gymnast who helped Team USA to its first ever gold medal at the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996….

Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympic gymnast who helped Team USA to its first ever gold medal at the Summer Games in Atlanta in 1996. She is the only American gymnast to medal in the team competition at three different Olympic Games and is the first African-American gymnast to win an individual medal. But the success came at a price. Now, Dominique is helping to change the culture inside the sport she loves with the opening of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy. On this episode, we talk about finding your greater purpose and defining success in your own terms.

Follow Dominique: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website

“Pain serves a greater purpose in life.”

Click To Tweet

Show Notes

The intensity of training for the Olympics (2:10)
The keys to her sustained success as a 3x Olympian (3:50)
The struggle to find her identity outside of the sport (5:21)
The pressure that “The Magnificent Seven” experienced going for gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta (7:32)
Growing up in a sport that values perfectionism (8:20)
Focus on your why (12:03)
Putting ego aside to come together as a team (14:36)
What drove her to compete (19:40)
The mental, physical and emotional toll of competing at the highest level in gymnastics (21:04)
Understanding her greater purpose (22:28)
Paving the pathway for African-American gymnasts like Simone Biles (25:19)
Channeling her pain into purpose (27:42)
A parent’s role and involvement in their child’s participation in sports (31:05)
The mission of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academy (34:46)
Her entrepreneurial journey (37:43)

Resources / People Mentioned

Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy
The Weight of Gold (HBO documentary)
Golden: The Journey of USA’s Elite Gymnasts
SpringHill Company
LeBron James, basketball player
Simone Biles, gymnast
Jordan Chiles, gymnast
Halle Berry Wins Best Actress: 2002 Oscars

Recommended For You

Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:

Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app and leave a rating or review!

Get Molly’s Free 5-Minute Morning Routine to Build Better Relationships

LATEST BOOK

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success

“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

A #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success

In a world fixated on fleeting success, a bold framework for pursuing your goals unapologetically without compromising what matters most. This isn’t just another self-help theory: Dynamic Drive is your practical guide to unlocking your true potential. Through her decades of experience working with top athletes and peak performers across industries, renowned keynote speaker and leadership expert Molly Fletcher has created a proven formula backed by research that outlines the seven keys to sustainable success. The truth is fulfillment doesn’t come from setting and accomplishing goals in isolation. It comes from Dynamic Drive—a holistic approach that connects all parts of you with your purpose and allows you to engage in meaningful growth, both personally and professionally. Unlike traditional approaches that dilute drive into a mere means to an end, which can lead to burnout, Dynamic Drive is a way of life, a mindset. It’s about figuring out the parts of your life where you are playing small or safe or are dissatisfied. Dynamic Drive is the process by which we implement and sustain intentional change. The greatest reward isn’t in what you achieve, but who you become in the process. Your path to sustained high performance in all areas of your life begins here. This is your manual for an aligned, joyful, and relentless pursuit of a better you.

“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

The 5 Types of Wealth with Sahil Bloom

What if the way we measure success is broken? In this episode I sit down with Sahil Bloom, author of the new book The 5 Types of Wealth, to explore a new definition of true wealth. Sahil shares the wake-up call that forced him to reevaluate his career, relationships, and...

Episode 231- Never Knocked Out: Kendall Toole on Reinvention, Resilience, and Life After Peloton

Life will knock you down—but it doesn’t have to knock you out. In this episode, I sit down with Kendall Toole. A top fitness and wellness expert, mental health advocate, and content creator, Kendall has inspired millions with her energy and authenticity. But behind her success is a powerful story...

Episode 230- 9 Hard Truths about Love with Relationship Coach Jillian Turecki

Are you unintentionally standing in your own way when it comes to love? In this episode, I sit down with renowned relationship coach Jillian Turecki to uncover the nine hard truths that can transform how we approach love and relationships. Based on her new book, It Begins With You, Jillian...

Episode 229- Why Most Goals Fail—And How to Achieve Yours

Did you know that over 90% of New Year’s resolutions fail? It’s a staggering statistic, but it doesn’t have to be your reality. In this episode, I break down why so many well-intentioned goals fall short and share practical strategies to help you stay on track. The key? Anchoring your...

Episode 228- What If YOU Are the Answer? Rachel Hollis on The Questions That Will Change Your Life

What if the hardest seasons of your life were the key to unlocking your greatest growth? Rachel Hollis—#1 New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and entrepreneur—shares life-changing questions from her new book, What If YOU Are the Answer? In our conversation, Rachel shares how embracing curiosity over fear and...

Episode 227- Mastering Storytelling for Better Communication with Kindra Hall

The most powerful tool for connection and influence isn’t a fancy pitch deck, a perfectly rehearsed presentation, or even an impressive résumé—it’s your ability to tell a story. Kindra Hall is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, award-winning storyteller and sought-after keynote speaker. Her books, Stories That Stick and Choose...

Resources