A Texas fitness influencer has been slammed by fans for selling 'generic' workout programs she claimed were tailor-made for them f...
A Texas fitness influencer has been slammed by fans for selling 'generic' workout programs she claimed were tailor-made for them for up to $200 then deleting their complaints on social media and insisting that they sign NDAs before giving them a refunds.
Brittany Davis runs Brittany Dawn Fitness, an Instagram account and website where she posts health and life advice, before-and-after shots of her body and where she sells a range of products and services for a premium.
The 27-year-old has more than 550,000 Instagram followers, almost 300,000 subscribers on YouTube and has been operating online since 2013.
On her website, she describes taking 'classes and certification courses' but lists no qualifications as a trainer or diet coach and describes the bulk of her experience or expertise as having lived through an eating disorder and body building competitions.
She told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that she received a National Association of Sports and Medicine certification as a 'fitness and nutrition specialist' four years ago.
It is not the same as being an NASM certified personal trainer which she described herself as on Instagram years ago, according to screenshots shared by some of her critics.
Brittany Davis, who calls herself Brittany Dawn online, has been lambasted by followers for selling workout plans and diets without any personal training qualifications then ignoring fans who purchased them and access to her
In the last five years, complaints against her have mounted quietly but were relatively unknown because she deleted negative comments posted online then blocked the users.
They have come to light in the last week after disgruntled customers launched a Facebook group to air their grievances.
Last week, Davis issued a public apology in a tearful video where she said she had simply been 'overwhelmed' by demand.
Now, former customers are discussing launching a class action lawsuit against her and some are calling for her to face criminal charges.
On her website, Davis sells workout plans for $45 a piece. Her 'season' packages run up to $200
She also sells diet programs for $20 each which she calls 'Plan Eat Lose'
Among the most common complaints is that Davis 'scammed' them by giving them what she claimed were bespoke packages when they were not. Others say they were ignored and made to wait days to receive their plans after paying for unfettered email and phone access to her.
One woman told how she would receive emails telling her 'girl, you're doing great!' despite the fact that she had not lost any weight or inches since she started the exercises or diets.
'It's leaving a really sour taste in my mouth,' that woman said.
One email exchange posted on the Facebook group details a complaint from a customer that she had not heard from Davis or her team since signing up for her plan.
Davis' excuse was that she was traveling and taking part in an engagement photo-shoot at the time.
Others say that when they asked for specific advice, she did not even know they were customers.
These are the types of plans followers wee given. They complained that they were not personalized, as they had been sold
Outraged fans started bombarding her Instagram page with complaints but many had theirs deleted and were blocked
When fans complained that she was not replying and asked for refunds, they were told to sign NDAs
When they complained and asked for refunds, Davis insisted that they sign non-disclosure agreements.
In her apology video, she blamed not having anyone to turn to for business advice for her mistakes.
She wept that she had no advice when she launched her business in 2013 and that she was operating in 'uncharted territory'.
Davis has also since gone on Good Morning America to defend herself.
'I wanted to help and impact as many women as I could.
'When you are given an opportunity like this, you would be stupid not to take it and run with it and unfortunately I ran too fast for one person,' she said in her apology video where she also claimed to have received death threats.
After filming her Good Morning America interview, she proudly shared an Instagram story where she said she was 'moving forward' from the scandal and that she would happily serve as an example of what not to do as an influencer.
Last week, Davis issued a tearful YouTube apology where she said she had been receiving death threats
She has also appeared on Good Morning America to say that she never intended to scam anyone and that she simply had no good business advice
'I have started the process of making things good with the help of strong-minded business advisers , there are no longer any NDAs, no more blocking, deleting comments, nothing of that nature.
'No more excuses,' she said.
In a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday morning, Davis said: 'On behalf of Brittany Dawn Fitness, I again, sincerely apologize and take full responsibility for the lack of communication and follow-through on business dealings driven by my online presence and influencer status.
'It was never my intention to take advantage of any one and I am sorting through complaints and refund requests in real-time.
'I appreciate any grace afforded me while I get this business in order for whatever future it may hold.
'But, for today, I will continue to address each of my customers offering make-goods, plan extensions and refunds on a case-by-case basis.
'Reputation is precious and can be invalidated in a heartbeat. I know that I have destroyed my reputation through inaction and lack of communication.
'I own it and am attempting to make things right the best I can.'
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