Hometown: Round Hill, VA
When and why did you come to Austin?
I moved here in 2011 because I had a friend moving here who needed a roommate.
What is your background? How did you get into personal training?
Growing up I was athletic, but I was not a traditional athlete. I was not a fan of the concept of organized sports. That is why I gravitated towards skateboarding. I loved the freedom and seeing how far I could push myself, physically and mentally, each day. Unfortunately when I went to college, my habit of skating everyday day started to wane. This continued for most of my twenties.
One day I noticed I was taking my health for granted and decided to make changes. I did some research, changed my diet and hired a personal trainer. I loved sharing everything I was learning and shared it with anybody who was interested. Naturally a career in personal training seemed like the logical next step. It was definitely the right choice. It is the most rewarding thing to see clients achieve their goals after putting in the time and work.
Tell us about your current fitness goals and training.
Normally, I am powerlifting. It is a great feeling pushing your body beyond what you thought it was capable of doing. However, due to my current schedule and trips I have planned in the future, I am going to take a few months to work on cardio and muscular endurance. Still, I have a feeling a one rep max may find its way into my week every now and then.
What is the most common fitness myth you work through with your clients?
It’s not so much a myth, but the idea of taking things at face value from the internet and social media. There is a lot of anecdotal advice and half truths out there, which may be provided with ulterior, financial motives, that lead to false expectations. However, there is a lot of great knowledge that can be gained by using the internet as a tool. Just be aware of the reputation of where your information is coming from, and if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
What do you want your clients to take away from each training session with you?
I want my clients to leave each session feeling accomplished and that there is nothing that can stop them. I want them to exceed their own expectations and be the best version of themselves that they can be.
What sets you apart from other fitness professionals?
I would have to say my background sets me apart from other trainers. I didn’t grow up going to the gym or pay particularly close attention to fitness. When I did start paying attention though, it seemed overwhelming and intimidating. I know what it’s like to take that first step of a fitness journey. That’s why I want to be there for anyone who wants to make a change in their life, but may need some help in the process. I remember how good it felt to achieve goals that I thought were impossible and I want others to be able to experience that feeling as well.
What is your favorite thing about Austin Simply Fit?
The atmosphere. Between the trainers and the clients, everyone is always bringing something awesome to the gym. You’re either hearing laughing, words of encouragement, or congratulations on hitting a new milestone. It’s hard to not want to push yourself when you’re there. In addition, we added an outdoor training area to the South ASF location, adding in new workout equipment for us to work with.
Favorite quote and who said it?
“FEAR: False Expectations Appearing Real.” – Gary Busey
If you had a super power what would it be?
I would have to go with the ability to stop time. I feel like the older I get there are fewer minutes in the day.
Read Nicky’s advice to other inked-up athletes who want to keep training after getting a new tattoo.
Check out Nicky’s guide to getting fit the fun way – skateboarding!