Meet Nicole Hairston of Mpowered Life and Fitness in East Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Hairston.

Nicole, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Seven years ago my I was so sick and didn’t know why. My energy was low and I was depressed. I was awakened by suffocating panic attacks and my periods were all off. One day I looked at a recent picture of myself. I had dark bags under my eyes, a feigned smile, hunched over posture and I was heavier than I had ever been. I did NOT recognize myself. I thought ” Who is that?!”. I am usually vibrant and full of life. Something was definitely wrong so I went to the doctor and she ran a ton of test. I just knew my thyroid was low or I had cancer. I thought it was the end for me. Luckily, all my test came back negative and that is when I knew what was wrong. I was depressed, struggling with a divorce and in denial about how I was not taking care of myself. I hadn’t worked out in a year, I was eating junk and binge drinking to make myself feel better. The divorce made me feel like a failure. I felt guilty and ashamed. What I saw on the outside was a physical manifestation of what I thought about myself on the inside.

I was tired of how I felt and with the encouragement of my best friend I tried an at home fitness program to get me moving again. That’s when I came alive again! Exercising relieved my stress and elevated my mood. The detailed program gave me new purpose and I felt accomplished as I reached new goals. My energy began to escalate. Feeling and seeing results also encouraged me to consistently eat better and drink less alcohol. I was hooked! Fitness and living a healthier life became my lifestyle. People began to take notice and ask me to workout with them or train them. That’s when I knew fitness training and “Mpowering” others was my purpose. I loved helping other people reach their health and fitness goals, increase their energy and change their mindsets from doubt, continuous negative self-talk and lack to positivity, abundance, unconditional love for self.

I now know, I had to go through my own storm to help people get through theirs. I decided to make it official, become a certified trainer and create Mpowered Life and Fitness. I have been working with other people to meet their health and fitness goals ever since.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I struggled a lot with trusting myself and my purpose. Having the Imposter syndrome. I did not go to college originally to be a fitness trainer. I have been a Nurse Practitioner for 13 years. What has helped me overcome that is the feeling I get when I am working with my clients. It gives me purpose and joy! They tell me all the time…” Nikki you inspire me so much!” I am grateful for them. Also, my faith in God has grown so much over the years. He has reminded me of why I am here and that he is by my side when I feel unsure. This reassurance also helps me get through the growing pains of being an entrepreneur. I have to learn so much to be financially successful and responsible. I am still learning about marketing, budgeting, networking and ways to grow my business. It takes time and perseverance. I am trusting myself more and getting better every year.

Mpowered Life and Fitness – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am more than a personal trainer. My superpower is Mpowering and Inspiring others to reach and maintain their health and fitness goals and to be healthy mind, body and spirit. Mpowered Life and Fitness Model of training uses effective strategies the help clients incorporate Movement (exercise), Mindful Eating, Motivation and Mindset into their lifestyles so their mental and physical changes are sustainable. I don’t want them to need me forever. My goal is that they learn from me and take what they have learned to improve the health and wellness of their significant others, their families and the community. One of the things that makes me most proud is when a clients tells me they have encouraged family members to eat healthier or there co-workers are now going on lunchtime walks with them because they have inspired them to do so.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, I define success as doing what I love while helping people improve their lives. That includes training, coaching and leading others to live healthier lives. It’s more than meal plans and workouts. There are so many things that affect our health and fitness. I encourage clients daily to exchange unproductive habits with habits that are in line with their goals. I remind them to speak up, stand in their truth, and be authentic. I am their accountability partner. Sometimes I am just a listening ear or a shoulder they can cry on. But one of my favorite things to do is to do something silly to make them laugh and smile. All of this and more are needed to feel good about yourself and live your best life.