Today we’d like to introduce you to Dionne Eleby.
Dionne, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a Crawford Long baby who was born and raised in the West End neighborhood of Atlanta. I attended Tri-Cities High School and was a member of the Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program. I was also a member of the Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta(YEA). After graduating from Elon University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, I took my talents and moved to Washington, DC to join the world’s first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, Step Afrika! After traveling the world and performing at the White House for former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, I moved to New York to continue to pursue my passion for the arts. In between auditioning and surviving life in New York, I found 305. What was supposed to be just a “part-time survival job” ended up becoming a new passion and a sense of purpose. 305 Fitness has allowed me to connect with people that I thought was only possible through theatre. COVID-19 has not only forced me to pivot, but it has allowed me to continue to teach and gain a new online community of people that love dance and workout at the same time.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey through fitness has not been easy. At the top of 2016, I severely sprained my ankle and was out of work for weeks. I found myself with a knee injury at the end of 2019 and both injuries caused me to question my existence as a fitness professional and performing artist. But I have learned that if you listen to your body, it will tell you exactly what it needs.
305 Fitness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
305 Fitness is a music-driven dance cardio workout. We are known for our dance cardio workouts set to the beat of the music and mixed by live DJs. No class is ever the same!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my 305 Fitness career has to be presenting at the Essence Wellness House last year at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. To be recognized amongst some of the country’s most well-known black leaders in fitness and wellness was truly an honor.
Contact Info:
- Website: 305fitness.com
- Instagram: @deefun2 @305fitness
- Other: https://youtu.be/40pDoWQD3UM
Image Credit:
Chris Legend
Elliot Chocano
Christina Serrano
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