Five months after getting furloughed from Gold’s Gym last year, Alexandria’s D’Lontae Sewell officially launched his own personal fitness business.
After a full year in business, the Alexandria native says things are booming at Tae’s Swole Academy, as clients who might be skittish about returning to a gym full of people have been reaching out for more of a personal touch.
“I have a waitlist of clients who want to work with me,” Sewell told ALXnow. “I’m pretty much at max capacity, and I’m always trying to look for different ways to be able to get more clients on my roster.”
Sewell was the fitness manager at an area Gold’s Gym for the two-and-a-half years, and spent the last nine years managing various gyms, including LA Fitness and XSport Fitness. At the end of March 2020, though, he and his coworkers were furloughed.
“I reached out to my clientele,” Sewell said. “I realized that I most likely wouldn’t be back into work for an extended period of time, so I decided to start my own business. I was lucky enough to be able to get some gym equipment and train people outside when it came to barbell work conditioning.”
Sewell travels within three miles of Alexandria to work with clients, and also offers virtual and group workouts. He also trains at DMV Iron Gym on Eisenhower Avenue.
Sewell, a 2010 graduate of T.C. Williams High School, is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at an early age, and although he went into remission in 2006, his medical history prevented him from joining the U.S. military to become a combat medic. Consequently, he focused on fitness, and went on to earn a degree in exercise science and therapeutic recreation from Old Dominion University and a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Norwich University.
“It’s about alleviating stress and building confidence,” he said. “It’s about having the ability to go into the store and try on clothes and feel comfortable, to go out to eat and feel comfortable with the food choices that you’re going to make for the day without feeling glum or ashamed. It’s about having the ability to play with your kids and not be out of breath.”
Courtesy photo
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St. Paul’s Episcopal Preschool, a play-based, half-day preschool in the heart of Old Town, Alexandria has limited openings for the ’23-’24 school year.
SPEP offers:
- 18 month old – Kindergarten classes
- Full day Kindergarten option (3 days/week)
- Early Care
- Transportation (ages 3+)
- Weekly Field Trips (ages 3+)
- Financial Aid available
Monarch Montessori School located in the heart of Del Ray is enrolling children 6 weeks to 6 years of age for our half day and full day program.
Our hours of operation are 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday-Friday. Monarch Montessori School is open year round, with intermittent breaks.
Children engage in self-directed, self-initiated activities under the guidance of a trained Montessori teacher. Classroom sizes range from 8-12 students. Our robust curriculum includes botany, sensorial activities, the social graces, culture, math, science, practical life, geography, music appreciation and language arts.
You’ll get half off of the registration fee when you register and begin care with us before April 30, 2023.
2023 Alexandria Scottish Rite Friends & Family Charity Event
On Saturday Evening May 6th, 2023, at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, the Valley of Alexandria Scottish Rite will be holding its annual charity fundraiser for kids with speech and language disabilities. This event is open to the public.
Del Ray Dog Fest & Yappy Hour
The 1st Annual Del Ray Dog Fest is a fun outdoor event that will include dog-centered activities, dog menu items, live music, vendors and food on Sunday, April 2 from 11am- 3pm at the George Washington Middle School parking lot.
