Rising Stars: Meet Danika Harrison-Dargan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danika Harrison-Dargan. 

Hi Danika, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 

My journey with fitness started with me being uncomfortable in my skin. After having my second daughter I realized that my body didn’t “snap back” as it had previously. I began working out as a way to fight through my postpartum emotions, hoping that if I began to look better physically then I would feel better mentally and emotionally. It was a slow climb in the beginning because tackling your mind is indeed the biggest part of the challenge. There were many days that I had to fight the urge to throw in the towel, But I kept at it, and eventually, the results came and I began to look the way that I wanted and my workouts became my escape. It gave me that time that I needed to just focus on myself. As time passed, fitness became bigger than my individual journey. I obtained my personal trainer certification because I wanted to help other women feel better in their skin as well. I then was introduced to the world of group fitness classes and that’s where I began to really come out of my shell. It allowed me to reach women from all walks of life. It allowed me to help someone else on their journey and make fitness fun again. 

Alright, 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? 

NO! I wish it was easy but I’ve had my share of struggles. After losing the weight and feeling like myself again I got diagnosed with PCOS and had to relearn my body all over. All the hard work felt as if it was for nothing as I regain some of the weight that I lost. It was a tough road and I felt as if I had to deal with it in “silence”. See, as a girl mom. I am very careful with what I expose them to. I’m mindful of the way that I speak about my body when they are around because I don’t want them to in turn become hypercritical of themselves. But in protecting them, I helped myself. Doing this reminded me of how much my body has helped me, what we have gone through and just how strong it is. Teaching my girls that their growing bodies are beautiful reminded me that my growing and ever-changing body is worthy of praise as well. I’m human, so I still have my days and moments but they don’t come as often anymore. And when they do come, I quickly recite 3 things that I love about my body and it pulls me back to reality. I don’t look like your typically personal trainer/group fitness instructor but I think that’s my superpower. I have full hips and thick thighs that jiggle but those are the very reason that has attracted women to my classes and services. I like to think that I remind them that fitness looks different for everyone and that’s okay. Some of us chase leanness and abs, others chase the ability to just breathe a little easier or to move a little more. Whatever your goal and reason behind your journey know that it is valid and worthy of praise. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others? 

In addition to being a personal trainer, I am certified to teach Zumba and Xtreme Hip Hop Step. I chose those specializations because of my love for music and movement. I grew up dancing from the age of 9, so teaching Zumba was a natural transition for me. Xtreme Hip Hop Step came about because I loved the music and energy that I saw and felt whenever I watched a video online and I KNEW that I needed to be a part of it. 

When you come to any of my classes or training sessions, you’re always greeted with a smile and sass. It’s just who I am. I love to smile and laugh and have a good time, my tribe that I’ve built at the gym will probably say that I’m always full of some sort of shenanigans but they love the chaos. Honestly, anyone who knows me personally will probably tell you this about me as well lol. 

When I’m not at the gym, working, or nurturing my home, you can find me on Instagram building my online persona as a content creator. The midsize momma, wife, and lover of life who doesn’t have the perfect curated feed, who’s just winging it and having fun. 

I’m most proud of my perseverance. My drive to keep pressing forward even when it feels like I’ve hit a wall. The confident, secure, bubbly, and sassy woman that I am at 32 is everything that younger Danika wanted to grow up to be. I’ve had my own hills and mountains to climb and all I can say is I’m proud of myself. Proud to be here today as a woman who is glowing, growing, dancing to the beat of her own drum, and hopefully inspiring someone else along the way. 

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you? 

I would love to see your faces in one of my classes. I teach multiple times a week at the Southeast Raleigh YMCA (1436 Rock Quarry Rd). I’m also open to teaching at other gyms, so if you have a need/want for any of the classes I specialize in, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m also working towards my own facility so hopefully soon; I’ll have an update on that. Also, check me out on Instagram. Hop in my dm and talk to me. I like to think that I’m the big sis or insightful little sis that everyone needs at times. And for video proof of my shenanigans be sure to follow my YouTube page. I can be found on all social media platforms as Danika Mone. 

Contact Info:

• Email: heydanikamone@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/DanikaMone_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6E71MEozbjKzje079QuHdA