Normally when Guyanese are mentioned with Barbados it is often something negative but that’s not the case for Barbados based Domini Alleyne who hails from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Den Amstel West Coast Demerara, Guyana.
This beauty whose sights were always set on being a light in a dark room as a possible fashion model may not have been as successful in her beginnings but as she moves from Caterpillar she is emerging as a butterfly in all its grandeur. But even as her metamorphism continues this adaptable and courageous woman is proof that one can achieve anything with determination and perseverance. She survived domestic violence et al and her message to beautiful girls and women who are in a dark place of their life where all hope is gone is this. “Always remember the story of the caterpillar that became a butterfly, once you have life there isn’t any limits..tap into your inner strengths and look for to your God.”
Like the salt of the earth this Guyanese has refocused, repositioned and adopted to change in a foreign land and is fast becoming the flavor in the right sense of the expression.
Domini migrated to ‘the island in the sun’ at age 13 and while the road may not have been all glitz and glamour she is getting her priorities in order by hitting the gym, eating healthy and feeding her soul.
Shortly Domini will be among a bevy of beauties from that island competing at the Mr. and Miss Bridgetown Senior, Novice and Teenager Body building competition for top honors and lucrative prizes. From all accounts she’s most likely going to seal the deal at this her fifth competition. “Since I started in 2012 I’ve always placed in the top 3 but this time I’m moving in for the kill” she says.
Barbados became her home when she was aged thirteen but she has been back to Guyana a few times and several years ago she enjoyed a stint at one local television/entertainment outfit before returning to the land of the flying fish where she is spreading her wings.
“When I returned home (Barbados) after working for HJTV in 2011 I had gained lots of extra pound… but it wasn’t really the food, it was the emotional stress i was going through from an abusive marriage and separation.”
At her lowest a friend brought her a six month membership to a gym where she started going four to five times a week and her interest on being health conscious grew to the point of doing research on dieting and vitamins and she has not looked back since.
Aside from Gym Domini is a hostess at one of Barbados’ Top Restaurants and is also a fitness trainer while at present she’s training at the Strike Force Gym. “I’m my own trainer… but I have my mentor Ramona Morgan who is also a bodybuilder who keeps me in check.”
While not the biggest for the island, the current competition is slated for Saturday April 26 at the Combermere School St. Michael then her next focus will be on preparation for the Barbados’ Nationals. “ My ultimate goal is to win this one, do nationals in August hopefully winning my class and getting a chance to go to St. Marteen to compete for a Pro Card then the sky is the limit from there,” She says.
Her titles thus far are the Barbados Nationals 2012 – 3rd place, The Darcy Beckles Classic 2012 – 2nd place, Miss Barbados Emerald Cup 2013 Overall Winner and the Darcy Beckles 2013 – 2nd place.
“My message is this: You will feel like you can’t go on and it’s impossible to live whether you’re a man or woman. But after the rain comes and goes, there is always a rainbow somewhere in the you will see a rainbow. That’s hope right there for a happy continuous life,”
Domini at age 30 is a story that continues to unfold proving that despite the threat of the world’s many elements the caterpillar’s life as a worm is temporary on the road to emerging as the butterfly on the road to fulfillment!
By Mondale Smith