Barbara’s Professional Background

As a top executive of a Fortune 100 company, Barbara Dawson has led and motivated individuals, teams and large groups for over 30 years. Now, she has combined the skills and expertise she developed in that role with her extensive background in fitness, health and nutrition, to offer Nourish Fitness, a unique health-and-fitness program designed to suit the needs and goals that each client requires. 

Beyond her business acumen and motivational skills are qualifications that far exceed those of a personal coach. Her expertise and training in nutrition and the culinary arts is extensive. To start, she is a graduate of the Institute of Integrated Nutrition, a member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and has studied the Culinary Arts at Boston University with many of Boston’s finest chefs, including Jacques Pepin. Following her lifelong passion for health and wellness, she has become a Certified Holistic Health Counselor; a Certified Instructor of Pilates, Barre and Spin; and a Pilates and Barre Teacher Trainer. Barbara even has competed in a NPC Figure Competition. 

Barbara is approachable and inspiring; calm and focused; and is dedicated to helping her clients reduce stress, lose weight, stay physically fit, improve health, plan nutritional meals, and even crave healthy foods. Above all, Barbara is passionate about helping her clients reach for and find positive change in their lives that lasts a lifetime. 

Learn more about Nourish Fitness, Your Personal Promise, and Barbara’s Individualized Programs and Group Workshops. 

Why I Started Nourish Fitness

-- Barbara Dawson 

“From an early age, I knew the value of hard work. I remember coming home from school, cleaning the house and starting dinner for the family. When my mother arrived home from work, we’d finish cooking together. On Sundays, my grandmother and I would pick vegetables from the garden for dinner, and afterwards, we’d linger at the table, having long candid talks. 

“My mother worked hard and so did I. When I was in high school I began working at the local McDonald’s.  I continued working for the company full-time while going to college.  This was the start of a long and successful career.  Rising quickly through the corporate ranks, I ultimately became Vice-President of Operations, where I honed and taught the principles of leadership, strategic planning, scheduling and systems. 

“I know from experience how challenging maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle can be when you have a busy work and personal life. Hard work and commitment were fundamental keys to my success, but without nutritious and healthy eating, physical activity, and the loving support of my husband John, maintaining a healthy balance would not have been possible. 

“I’ve come to believe that any truly effective path to a healthy balanced lifestyle must take into account each person’s unique needs. For instance, I have a skin disorder called psoriasis on my hands.  After many years of the prescribed topical ointments, pills, photo therapy and the dreaded shots in each hand, I’d had enough. I searched for a way to alleviate or eliminate this illness. By changing my diet, I am not totally healed, but I no longer have outbreaks severe enough to visit the dermatologist. 

“No single diet is suited to everyone. Nor is one single exercise regimen suitable for all. We are all different, and so are our needs, our strengths, our commitments and our goals. I’ve studied and taught a wide range of physical activities and I’ve personally explored many different dietary theories; and, there are pros and cons to all of them. No one size fits all. 

That’s why I developed Nourish Fitness and the Personal Promise. Because I know that you can’t address one area of your life and expect the rest to fall in place. To succeed, you simply have to take a holistic approach to a balanced lifestyle. With the right support, guidance, tools and knowledge, I know I can help you find your path to a healthful, balanced lifestyle. 

“Having made my own Personal Promise, my health, physical fitness and mental wellbeing have never been better. Who would have thought that in my 50s I’d be in the best shape of my life? Come take this journey with me. Design your own Personal Promise. You won't be disappointed!