Every Friday I am going to feature a woman that I adore. They exude all the qualities of an Alpha Female and I want to dig into their lives to get some nuggets of knowledge to help us all live happier, healthier lives balancing life & work.
Definition of an Alpha Female
An Alpha Female is a powerful and assertive woman. Her confidence is due to being an intelligent and intellectual problem-solver. Being an Alpha Female is a State of Mind based on choosing ambition and being proud of it. She strives for a happy and healthy work/life harmony.
She is the brightest star in her constellation. When an Alpha Female stays true to their authentic selves and their missions they shine. An Alpha Female puts herself first because she deserves self-care and love. She knows that work/life harmony is found by staying true to your priorities and what makes you happy. She is never complacent about striving for better and nurtures relationships with all the people in her life.
Meet Nadine Dumas!
Nadine Dumas is a leading businesswoman and influencer in the worldwide fitness market. Her online holistic approach to health and wellness span the globe with a footprint in Asia, Australia, the Cayman Islands and North America.
Her experience and businesses focus on mind-body nutrition and eating psychology coupled with achieving individualized fitness objectives. Nadine has seen outstanding results through her online programs with over 15,000lbs in weight loss but most importantly lifelong transformations.
Nadine holds a business degree and is a Professional Eating Psychology Practitioner with over a decade of experience in mind-body transformations. Not only does Nadine work as a practitioner but she is actively involved in the corporate wellness space, consulting with corporations to bring a health focus to employees and creating an overall wellness to companies through her work in Eating Psychology.
What do you think of the definition and how are you an Alpha Female?
I find the definition empowering. I guess you could say that I am an Alpha Female as I know what I want and I usually won’t stop until I get it. I’m strong, I’m doing well in my career, I’m surrounded by amazing people in my life and I have tons of ambition. But, I also have a very feminine side I guess you could say where I am quiet and down to earth, I know when to be silent and when to speak my opinion and I’m also very spiritual and emotional. So you could say I am an alpha female with a side of beta 😉
What are you most passionate about?
Helping others see what I see in them, whether it be through my coaching in nutrition, eating psychology or even just mentoring them on their career and life. I just want to take everyone under my wing and help them. I wish I had a mirror that showed them what I see. I’ve been through a lot, I don’t share a ton of my personal stories publically but I will share them privately to my clients or friends when the time is right and when I know it will help them.
What does work/life harmony look like for you?
Well, to be honest, that is a bit tough, I guess you could say I am still trying to figure that one out. As a mom and business owner I have to learn to be flexible because as any mom knows, things can pop up at any time and throw us off schedule so being able to adapt well is what my harmony is about. I know that the days my son is not in school or once he comes home from school in the afternoon, time is concentrated on him. I do make sure that I dedicate time each day to fitness, it’s my form of sanity. Work happens around the rest of this. I typically answer emails before my son wakes up and after he goes to bed and now that I have branched out into my Eating Psychology I have more face to face meetings, which happen during the day.
Share with us a time when work/life balance was out of whack? What was your aha moment that taught you it was ok to take care of yourself first?
When I first started in my career it might have been the hardest to find the work/life balance. I was trying to build my company but at the same time work and have a job that also paid the bills. I was training to compete at that time as well and frankly just burning the candle at both ends. The aha moment was when I decided to completely jump into fitness and take the risk of letting go of the corporate job that was my financial security. I had to do it because I was not taking care of my own health. The lack of sleep, stress, and demand I was putting on myself just drove me to the ground. Since then I have had other moments, especially trying to raise a little one who is constantly growing, changing and curious but at the same time, my job becomes more demanding. It’s just learning how to adapt to situations the best you can for your own sanity.
How do you nourish yourself?
Living on a tropical island it’s not too hard to find ways to nourish yourself. I will go for a drive with my son and head to one of our favorite spots on the island called Starfish point. It takes about 45 mins to drive there and on the tip of the island. It’s so quiet and everywhere you walk in the water there are starfish. I am also a coffee addict so I will go somewhere quiet on the island and sit by myself and drink coffee and people watch. I’m an introvert and also an empath, sometimes people don’t get me or assume I’m anti-social or a snob but it’s really just the fact that I take on a lot in my day and need time to not be around anyone. Food wise, I keep a clean diet and I believe that it’s needed in order for me to do my job and have a clear headspace.
What is your weekly fitness routine like?
Typically I work out 5 days a week. Last fall I moved into CrossFit after spending 3 years training with my coach which just happened to be at a CrossFit gym. I decided to go back to school last year and due to my schedule, I switched. I really love it. It’s great for people like me where we are busy, like to see our progress and don’t have to think about the workout. We just have to follow what we are told. I have enough going on in my head that I don’t want another thing to think about!
What are your daily habits for winding down at night and reducing stress?
Man, you are really getting me with these questions! I’m certainly not perfect in this realm and struggle like many others. It’s just me and my little one so the days can be crazy. From after school activities to running errands, my son gets off school at 2 so that creates for a long afternoon some days. Rush home, get supper made, clean up, bathe him, settle him for bed and by that time it’s 8 or 830 and let’s hope I haven’t fallen asleep with him. I will usually tidy up, respond to any emails from the day that need my attention, work on new projects and sometimes catch some tv before heading to bed. I think the reduction in stress came as I became more comfortable in my career. You learn what is important and what can wait. You adjust to not feeling guilty about responding to emails right away and sometimes if I am way too tired, the dishes wait.
What are some pain points of being an Alpha Female that you have to problem solve for?
Possibly the fact that I do so much and tend to not ask for help. I feel I can always do it on my own but have learned of the last few years that it’s ok to ask for help and acknowledge when I can and cannot do something. I am really not sure how people perceive my personality.
What is your definition of happiness?
Living a life where others around me are happy. First and foremost my happiness is based on my child’s happiness and I will do whatever I can to make sure he’s happy. I am very lucky to have a little boy like him though because he is an incredibly happy child. Living a life where you are content with your career, family, where you live etc.
Favourite Quote: People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.