Today we’d like to introduce you to Dania Obeid.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started martial arts when I was 14 years old. I was a teen that had so much frustration built up from being bullied and everything that had happened with my father.
After doing martial arts, I fell in love specifically with jiujitsu. I grew to love it so much that it became a part of me and changed me for the better.
Unfortunately, I started at a mcdojo called “1st u.s martial arts” where I was never awarded my black belt in Tae Kwon or anything in jiujitsu. From 2009-2013, NOTHING. I knew something was off and I did my research and found out that the owner wasn’t accredited, so I had moved on to another academy and after two weeks I had earned my blue belt in jiujitsu.
Fast forward and I changed academies again and found Comprido BJJ in which I knew this would be my training center forever.
After being there, my jiujitsu got better and better and I met some amazing people who I now consider family.
Jiujitsu has helped me through some tough times and guided me to some of the best moments of my life. Such as meeting my husband Alex Seaver.
It started off as competitors at tournaments saying hi to supporting each other’s journey in jiujitsu as a friend to life partners.
We are very fortunate enough to be well known in the community for our jiujitsu and work ethics that we landed jobs at the UFC gym teaching jiujitsu and private training sessions.
My hopes and dreams are to become a black belt from Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros and open up my own gym that’s affiliated with brasa.
I would love nothing more than to empower children going through a tough time like how I did. As well as teaching adults how to defend/protect themselves.
Some of my favorite quotes in which I live by…
“Work hard be humble”
“Do good and good will come to you”
“Don’t chase the belt chase the technique”
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?
Oh, man, no road is smooth!
Growing up, I was the overweight tomboy that was just constantly bullied!
My father had been incarcerated from 2002 till 2015. A lot of people were aware and instead of being nice and making light of the situation they bullied me and told me I would never amount to anything and I would end up in prison like him.
Hearing that multiple times pushed me to push myself into being successful and make a name for myself.
It did not stop till about sophomore year in high school after people were aware I was doing jiujitsu. Not sure if that made them afraid or what.
I faced multiple struggles but who doesn’t it forms you into who you are today and I look at it as if “God put you in it he’ll get you through it”
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about None – what should we know?
I work for the Ufc gyms in the Chicago land area. Oaklawn, Orland, and Lombard.
I teach fitness classes, jiujitsu, and host women-only camps which reach 30-40 women at a time! And it is an absolute blast helping these women reach their goals and empowering them.
I had been given an award as rookie of the year and I have been recognized as a popular trainer among the community.
What sets me apart from others is my work ethic because it’s followed by dreams and goals of becoming bigger and better than what I am and expanding my knowledge to others in the fitness industry!
I’m always trying to further my education as a trainer and learn more so I have multiple talents and attributes to bring to the table!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Never giving up when it gets rough and being driven! There have been times where I want to take the day off but come in for a couple hours and get stuff done.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: dseaverbjj
- Facebook: dania.aj616
Image Credit:
Giselle villasenor, Hoongsphotos
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
