“Coaching is what I know, what I love and what I was meant to do with my life.” After 26 years in the fitness profession and much success coaching and training all levels of athletes, Nicole officially started Team Soul Sports in early 2011. Her husband was a Helicopter Pilot for the United States Coast Guard and when he decided to retire, that was the moment she decided to grow the team into the amazing group of Coaches and Athletes that they currently are.
Nicole’s early success came at the United States Coast Guard Academy where she used her experience and education to develop the testing, training and grading protocols for the physical fitness programs at the Officer Candidate school. She worked with Cadets as a strength and conditioning Coach, remedial fitness instructor, anatomy and physiology teacher, swim instructor and survival at sea instructor. She re-wrote the United States Coast Guard’s physical fitness standards, improved the graduation rates of the remedial fitness program and increased the fitness scores of both incoming Officer Candidates and graduating Cadets. During this time, she coached, trained and mentored student athletes to become better versions of themselves.
Nicole was an all conference and all state athlete in high school and went on to play college basketball. She held the class M school record for discus and was known to hit a pretty strong ball in field hockey. During the early years she was a swim instructor, lifeguard, strength and conditioning Coach and personal trainer. She started formally coaching when she was 14…and never looked back.
Nicole has raced Sprint to Iron distance triathlons and 5k to 50 mile Ultra runs. She balances training with racing, coaching, and juggling a full family life.
Her success as a Coach not only comes from the community around her, but from her education, experience and the balance between knowing both the art and the science of coaching. Nicole has hands on knowledge, expertise in the field and the formal education to help her athletes achieve goals they once thought were impossible. She Coaches beginner to Elite athletes who are determined, dedicated and driven to succeed.
What is your favorite race? Tough Question! I love races and events that push my limits. The IronHorse Endurance Run, 50 miler was pretty amazing. It was my first ultra and my husband crewed for me- we really learned how to race as a husband/wife Team.
What do you love most about coaching? What don’t I love? I love teaching, I love learning, I love watching our athletes gain self confidence and seeing them smile as they reach goals they once thought were impossible to attain. Being in front of athletes is where I feel most comfortable and at ease.
What is your favorite post race food? Hmm….whatever is at the buffet is fine with me! I’ll chose some protein, some carbs..or maybe just pizza. It all depends on what looks good at that moment. Post training- it’s a quick recovery drink, then iced coffee during the drive home.
Which quote has inspired you most? When deciding to attend graduate school, I was given some words of wisdom “your education is the one thing no one can ever take away from you”….and that stuck with me. I decided to attend graduate school and continue to grab every opportunity for learning that comes my way.
What do you do in your “free” time? “free time?”…I don’t have much of that! I play and have chill time with my family. We love watersports, the beach, the mountains…really anything that involves water or sports, we’re doing it.
What is your next big training/racing goal? I would love to tackle a 100 mile Ultra run. I’ve successfully coached athletes for this event, but I’ve yet to do one myself. They hurt, and you need to be 100% mentally ready for the challenge. It’ll happen…one day.
