Live Well 360 with Nicole Nichols of SparkPeople [Interview]

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An ACE-certified personal trainer and AFAA-certified exercise instructor with a degree in health education, Nicole Nichols helps people of all skill levels make working out a fun part of their daily lives.

She is an editor and fitness expert at SparkPeople.com, and one of the most watched exercise instructors on YouTube. Her online workout videos have been viewed more than 16 million times.

Coach Nicole’s newest DVD “28 Day Boot Camp” (available in Target stores starting Dec. 27) features four fat-blasting, calorie-torching workouts that include a variety of high-energy cardio intervals mixed with full-body strengthening exercises for maximum results.

We’re honored to have Nicole as a guest in our Live Well 360 interview series. Let’s learn more about how Nicole lives well in every way.

Stats

Nickname: “Coach”
Birthplace: Columbus, OH
Where you live: Cincinnati, OH
Pets: 2 cats (Lily and Claudia) and a red nose pitbull (Ginger)

Let’s talk

Random fact about you: I have a motorcycle license, but I drive a scooter.

One word to describe you: Passionate

What does the phrase “live well 360” mean to you?
It means that health is holistic and it encompasses all areas of your life. You have to have all of the dimensions covered to truly live well.

What’s the healthiest thing you do on a daily basis?
Move. I have a goal to do something active every single day for at least 10 minutes. So even if it’s just walking the dog or running 10 miles, I want to move daily as much as I can. It keeps me sane, but it also keeps me fit—and motivated.

What healthy thing do you wish you did more often?
Floss. Or maybe relax a little.

What’s the best tip anyone ever gave you related to living well?
Do what you love, but know that your job doesn’t define who you are.

Your interpretation of the word “balance”
Balance to me is something I am always striving for but never fully achieving. It means your priorities are in line with your actions and everything is on an even keel. I think about balance mostly relating to work, home life, social life, and personal time.

Do you meditate and/or journal?
I wish. I know I should and I have the best intentions, but I never stick with it.

How often do you set health and fitness goals?
Daily. Every workout is a goal met. Every healthy choice is a mini goal you can feel good about.

Favorite…

Quote:
If someone has a problem with you, it’s their problem, not yours.

Live Well 360 bag and why:
Luxx: Oodles of pockets, plus room for your mat!

Pandora station, iTunes song list, or band/singer:
My favorite band of all time is Third Eye Blind.

Health and fitness site(s):
SparkPeople.com of course. I also love my fitbottomedgirls.com!

Book:
“The Art of Happiness” changed my life more than once.

Form of exercise:
Too many to choose, but probably running. Pilates is a close second!

City for outdoor activity:
Portland is my favorite city for anything.

Healthy restaurant:
Is Chipotle healthy? I never get tired of it (and I do make my order a healthy one).

Vacation spot:
Any place with weather better than where I’m at now—that’s a lot of places!

Cocktail:
I actually do not drink and have never had a cocktail…

Ice cream flavor:
Goat cheese and tart cherry from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream in Columbus, OH.

Flower:
Orchids.

Pair of shoes:
I love my Brooks Adrenaline running shoes.

Inspiring word:
Dream.

Sports team:
I’m going to say this just for my dad: The Reds.

Celebrity:
Ellen Degeneres. Someday I WILL be on her show.

Just for fun

What’s your best physical feature?
I like my skin/complexion. I also have a pretty rotund booty.

What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator?
Eggs, peanut butter (although my dog eats it more than I do) and water.

What’s one article of clothing you can’t live without?
Socks—my feet are always cold!

What color underwear are you wearing right now?
Stripes!

Mac or PC?
Mac

Salty or sweet?
I never met a sweet I didn’t like.

Interesting Tweep(s) you follow and why they are cool?

• @gibblertron is hilarious.
• @dogislandfarm for growing everything they eat on an urban farm (awesome!)
• @TakeBackBeauty for everything they do to improve women’s self-worth
• @Appetite4Profit, @marionnestle and @unhealthytruth for their no-nonsense takes on the food industry
• @acefitness for great exercise information you can trust

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Feeling content across all areas of your life.

What’s your favorite daydream?
Having kids and being a mom.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Putting myself through college. My grandma only made it through the 8th grade and my siblings and I were the first in our family to graduate from college. On top of that, I footed the bill myself.

If you had a theme song, what would it be?
Ingrid Michaelson’s “Far Away.” It reminds me of how simple and beautiful life can be, and how important family is.

Your best advice to people who want to live well 360?
You have to choose to make it a priority. I’ve made health, nutrition and fitness some of the top priorities of my life, and that means I’m able to not only live well, but do everything well. Eating right, sleeping well, exercising regularly, reducing stress and caring for yourself—those are just small pieces of the bigger puzzle.

Living well (and healthfully) will impact every area of your life for the better. You’ll be a better employee, friend, parent, citizen, volunteer, etc. if you take time to take care of YOU.

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Thanks Nicole! Be sure to check out our other interviews with inspiring people, who are living well 360. We’d love to hear from YOU! What are 3 ways you are living well in every way? Share in the comments below and if you enjoyed reading this, please share it on twitter, facebook, google+, etc!

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