Words by- Josephine Agbonkhese

Her father is the late renowned media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi, while her mother, Moji Dokpesi, is a successful industrialist. But Dolapo Phillips would rather choose her own path— physical fitness, martial art and dance.
Not even her degree in Electrical & Communications Engineering from University of Birmingham, UK, or a Master’s in Entrepreneurship, Science & Technology from the Nottingham Business School, UK, could redirect her love and passion for these two hobbies that have evolved into a fulfilling career.
The Founder/CEO of Alpha Fitness Studios, Dolly, as fondly called, is a UK-certified personal trainer and fitness coach who has, over the years, raced up the ladder as one of Nigeria’s most internationally-celebrated fitness coaches and performing artists.
A highly sought-after dance choreographer and instructor, she’s credited for several high-budget dance projects in the country, and was Director for Dance and Choreography for both the 2023 and 2024 editions of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, AMVCA.
Dolapo is also Nigeria’s pride in Karate— another skill that earned her two bronze medals at the 2023 World Shotokan Karate Championship in Japan.
The certified nutritionist and licensed Shokotan Karate Instructor with a third Dan black belt, opens up to Allure on her amazing journey in this exclusive interview.

You’ve made a name for yourself in a terrain not commonly seen in your family history; was it rebellion or passion that drove you?
Fitness might be uncommon in my family but entertainment isn’t. The Ogungbes, which is my mother’s side, are well entrenched in entertainment. I’m sure you might have heard of Kenny Saint Brown and Keke Ogungbe. They are my mother’s siblings and are well into entertainment and the performing arts. And my dad, being the owner of DAAR Communications, which is a media conglomerate, is also related with entertainment. So, I think entertainment is in my DNA to be honest.
But truly, what got me into dancing and stage performances is boredom. Coming back to Nigeria in 2005, I didn’t really have any friend here. So, I discovered Salsa dancing socially while working in my mother’s factory as an engineer. I worked there for ten years until I decided to quit for entertainment, which, eventually, snowballed into dance drama and stage performances. That’s truly how I got into entertainment.

Tell us how your journey as a physical trainer, martial artist, dancer and professional theatre performer began…
My journey began in different ways. I started going to the gym when I was 11-year-old with my dad because my dad was morbidly over-weight. Just before he turned 40, he had a heart-attack and he had to loose half his body weight. He just took the next person in the house, which was me. I also started playing tennis at the same time and going swimming; all to build up my fitness. And by the time I was 13, I started Karate in secondary school. So, I had been practicing martial art since I was in secondary school.
It was only after I moved back to Nigeria in 2005 that I discovered social dancing with Salsa. That’s where my professional theatre dancing began. I went on to do courses and master classes in different kinds of dance including Latin and Ballroom, African Contemporary Dance, Classic Jazz, Classic Ballet, Social Dancing, Salsa, Bachata, and others. I also went to dance camps when I take leave during the summers from my mom’s factory. I would also go to London to learn how to dance. From one performance, it became a thousand performances and then snowballed into dance dramas on stage, acting on stage and on screen.

What were your dreams as a child?
As a child, I just wanted to be an engineer. My dad too was an engineer. That was why my first and Master’s degrees were in engineering.

What inspired Alpha Fitness?
Alpha Fitness is my life. Like I said, I started working out from the age of 11 because I was always overweight as a child. By age 12, I looked like I was 25. It caused quite a bit of depression for me and I was clinically Bulimia for quite a number of years.
Considering that I went to the gym regularly, played lawn tennis, was swimming, played volleyball in school, and competed for my school in Karate competitions, my size was quite baffling for me. That’s not to mention that I had been dieting since the age of 11. So, all of these just made me quite depressed; not knowing why I was the size that I was. It was during my A-Levels that I got almost suicidal. I had this thought of ending it all. The turning point in my life was during my upper six in boarding school when I said a short prayer to God, telling Him how so frustrated I was about how I feel. I told Him of how I needed him to help me and truly, ideas about what to do started popping up in my head. I started going to the gym and cutting down on my meals. I also cut out all the processed foods, white floor, cakes, streaks, and all, out of my diet. I was 17 at that time and I told myself that I’m going to drop a dress size every year. And by the time I was finishing my Master’s degree, I was a size 10! As of age 17, I was actually a size 18.
All of that experience put together, inspired Alpha Fitness because a lot of people go through a great ordeal with their bodies. This affects their minds, confidence and self esteem, and I really want to help.

As a physical trainer, what do you do when people come to you with a body image problem?
When people come to me with body image issues, because I’ve gone through this before, I take it personal and go on the journey with them. First of all, it’s just to understand where you are mentally, what you have done so far, what has worked and what hasn’t worked, just to understand what it is that you have done in the past so I know where the mistakes are and see how we could work together.

You featured in Bolanle Austen-Peter’s recently premiered House of Ga’a; tell us about your journey into the big screen…
A lot of people think this is my first movie; it is actually my third movie after 93 Days and The Bling Lagosians. House of Ga’a was the one where I was featured properly. It was quite an experience playing Nawi in the movie. The role encompassed different facets of different things that I love to do, including martial arts and even fighting like a warrior queen. It was the best role they could have given me.

Is acting something you’ve always loved to do?
Actually, it is. I have been acting in school plays since I was in primary school.

Tell us about a recent project or two you’re most proud of and why?
One of my proudest moments in 2023 was when I won two bronze medals for Nigeria in the 2023 World Shotokan Karate Federation World Championship in Japan in November 2023.

As far as general success is concerned, what are the most valuable lessons you could share?

To be honest, I feel dedication and discipline are super important in anything that you do. That’s one of my most selling points at the moment.
What was growing up like in the famous Raymond Dokpesi family?
(Laughs) It was very interesting. My father was a very magnanimous and generous man. He was a great father. My mother did a great job keeping all the children together when we were quite young and you know, a polygamous family can be a little bit difficult to navigate sometimes.
The house, during holidays, had my siblings, my cousins, friends, and all sort of camped together. lt was a lot of fun.
My dad raised me like a man, to think big, not see obstacles and never take no for an answer. He taught me not to see anything as impossible. He was very grandiose and good at seeing the big picture; and he raised me that way.

What were the biggest lessons you learned from your parents?
My parents were such great people. My mother, Moji Dokpesi, is a power house with entrepreneurial spirit.
My dad was very determined and grandiose; anything he wanted to do, he did it big and never small. I gained a great entrepreneurial spirit from my mother and a focused and visionary spirit from my dad.

As of today, who is your biggest inspiration and influence?
My husband, Dele Phillips!
He is a blessing from God who inspires me in every way to be the best version of myself every time, even if it keeps me away from home or the family. He understands my vision and ministry and supports me in every way.
My Sensei too, Sensei Bob Bamgboye, has also really been a great source of inspiration.

In what ways are you giving back?
They are many. I’m giving back by coaching children in Karate. We also teach self-defence lessons. We want women to feel empowered in every way. Never to feel like they are weak. In other ways, I’m part of an acroyoga group in Takwabay. I assist in ocean cleaning charities or events. Also, I love old people and I am in the process of creating events for the elderly right now.

What do you love to do when not working?
I love any outdoor activities that will get me out of the house–cycling, hiking, ocean swimming, and my new thing now–roller skating.

How do you deal with stress?
By choosing my battles; I’m not going to sweat the small stuffs. Working out and being with positive and likeminded people helps me a lot with managing stress.
How do you combine all of these with being a mother and wife?

Honestly, it’s the grace of God. I have a wonderful husband who covers my tracks. He’s great with our children. They are quite grown now. I also have a good support system in two dedicated living nannies and a driver who have all been with me since my oldest son was three; he’s going to be 15.
And what do you do daily to maintain your body?
As a fitness coach, I work out everyday, I keep my skincare routine so that I can have a clear skin. Not wearing makeup isn’t therefore a big deal at all. Nutrition-wise, I’m on my Pescatarian Diet journey. I’m quite good with my diet; I’m a healthy, clean eater, obviously because of my experiences in the past.

What do you look forward to in the coming years?
Fitness is my life; so, I want to carry on with fitness and grow a mega gym, do fitness for seniors. I also see myself becoming an environmentalist. Also, I would love to do more on-screen acting and see more of myself on Netflix.