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When did you first join the wellness world and what continues to fuel your passion?

I entered the wellness world as just a kid, long before I ever called it a career. Some of my earliest memories are of watching my dad do headstands, push-ups and sit-ups in the living room. I would try to do whatever he was doing, and eventually he taught me the basics like how to do a proper push-up, get into a frog stand and hold a headstand. That was my first taste of how empowering it feels to be strong in your own body, and it really stuck with me. We were always riding bikes, swimming and playing outside as a family.

By the time I was 8, I already knew I wanted to be a coach and own a gym one day. In eighth grade, I had the opportunity to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The OTC required us to attend nutrition classes, and that’s when everything clicked. Nutrition, movement and wellness could be a way to help not only athletes, but everyday people live better and feel stronger. From that moment, I never looked back.

What fuels me today is the same thing that sparked it all early on: helping people step into their own mental and physical strength, reconnect with their minds, bodies and overall health, and build lives that feel good from the inside out. Empowering others to live stronger, healthier and happier lives is what drives my purpose.

What does “embody” mean to you and how do you personally embody health and happiness in your daily life?

To me, embodying something means living it in a way that is authentic, soulful and aligned with who you truly are. It’s about genuinely representing your values through your actions, your energy, your presence and the way you move through the world. It’s passionate, it’s honest and it comes from the inside out.

I embody health and happiness by living in alignment with what I call my “6 SHIFTS” — my personal pillars for living a strong, healthy and happy life. These 6 SHIFTS quite literally saved my life. They are my anchor, my reset button and my daily compass. These are fully explained and shared in my new book, Live FIT from the Inside Out, so others can apply them in their own lives and experience the same alignment, empowerment and purpose they have given me.

They help me stay consistent and disciplined without losing joy or freedom but amplifying it.

Living the SHIFTS allows me to not just “talk” health and happiness, but to be it; to show up with enthusiasm, resilience, self-awareness, love and intention.

Embodying health and happiness, for me, is about aligned synergy; mind, body, spirit, relationships and purpose all working together. It’s how I strive to live, lead, parent, coach, connect and create.

Why is fitness an important part of wellness and what are your wellness recommendations?

Movement itself is deeply healing, helping to restore and balance both the body and mind. Regular movement strengthens not only our muscles and bones, but also our minds. It builds resilience, supports mental health and cultivates a strong mindset that helps us navigate life’s challenges. Fitness contributes to longevity, long-term wellness, independence and freedom as we age, while also defending against cognitive decline and conditions like dementia.

By combining fitness with my 6 SHIFTS and focusing on small, steady, sustainable changes, wellness becomes a lifestyle, not a short-term fix. This approach allows people to reclaim energy, confidence and joy while strengthening and protecting their bodies, minds and independence for a lifetime.

nicolezapoli.com

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