Rachel Nicks @ Mirror
Name: Rachel Nicks
Aka: Rachel Elizabeth Nicks Lyons
Current Location: New York, NY
Birth Place: Oakland, CA
Trifecta: Mother, Actor, Trainer
Instagram: @rachelenicks
A Brief Intro…
Tell me about your career path. How did you end up in fitness?
I was always an athlete growing up. I was a gymnast from the age of 4 to 12 played soccer for 8 years ball for 5 and volleyball for 3 years. I have always been active. My passion was acting. I graduated from The Julliard School and am still acting.
Fitness came to me; I didn’t seek it out. as a career but it brings me so much joy. I love kettle bells, TRX, pilates mat, pilates reformer, Soul Cycle training -cycling, etc.
I was never a fan of yoga, but I tried hot yoga in my early twenties and got hooked I then became curious about the philosophy, so I decided to do the 500 Hour Hatha yoga Certification and I am telling you the moment I began teaching, Pandora’s box was unleashed. I loved that I was able to move, connect to people, and teach and create a positive change in people’s lives. It was such a gift. I then quickly started to learn as much as I could as a trainer and got the following certifications:
275 hr Barre from Exhale Spa
85 hour Pre & Postnatal Yoga
Pre & Postnatal Fitness Certification
500 He Hatha Yoga
Mat Pilates
FlexFormer Pilates
Prenatal & Post 85 hr Yoga
TRX
Kettlebells
Doula Certification
Lactation Certification
I had many pregnant and postpartum clients and I wanted to make sure I was supporting them in the best possible way so I certified in pre and postnatal yoga and did another Bella Bellies prenatal and postnatal cert. the more I learned about pregnancy and birth the more passionate I became and decided to certify as a doula and lactation counselor. This led me to becoming a doula. I am passionate about women feeling empowered during this chapter in their lives.
What do you feel has always been your passion and how does it play into your current role?
My passion is to effect change in my community in a positive way. I am able to do that with my acting and as a trainer and a doula which fills my heart with immense joy and gratitude.
Tell me more about the "trifecta" you mentioned earlier. How has all of your passions come full circle?
There are different parts that make me who I am.
Mother… I am living my dreams and my truth. I was the little girl who walked around with a swaddled baby doll and made people believe it was real. Being a mother was a goal and vision I have had since I was a small child. Having my son made me complete. He also made me a better business woman. I am more confident when and efficient when it comes to my work. He grounds me and is a constant reminder of my blessings and what truly matters in life. He keeps me focused.
Actor… I never really believed I would be an actor but I loved it. I think its because I don’t come from an artist family and I didn’t see actors that looked like me. In 7th grade a mother told my parents after a school play, you might want to look into this talent I see something in her. My parents have always been super supportive of my craft. In High School I began to take acting seriously and was a part of all the shows and loved drama class but i was still all about my academics and student leadership. my dream was to attend NYU and study acting and when my family went to NYC to tour colleges they decided to take me to Juilliard and on the tour- I said, “ I would never get in here” i do not remember this but my mother heard that and it lit a fire in her mama bear she made sure I applied annnnnnd I GOT IN. it was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life as a woman and an artist.
Doula/Trainer… Teaching, helping, and taking part in peoples’ transformation is a gift that I never take for granted. Moving gives me so much joy and helping others ignites my spirit.
The fact that I am now a mother who gets to act and train is just beyond me. I am so happy. I don’t feel like I work. I love the life I live.
What makes you a boss?
Believing in ME. I live a trifecta on the daily. It’s crazy how I balance everything out, but I thrive when I am living all three.
What has been the proudest moment in your career AND personal life?
Birthing my son… 30 hours of labor 3 hours of pushing a 8.4 lb human out of my body.
Graduating from Julliard and not hitting it big, but still pursuing my dreams 14 years later.
This experience allowed me to identify and develop other strengths in myself and letting them shine
This is what created the “trifecta.” I am not just a wife, just a mother, just an actor, just a trainer. I am all of me.
“Rachel Nicks is the sum of all her parts and all her parts need to play.”
What was your lowest point, either personally, career-wise, or both?
I don’t ever regret tough chapters and I have had them!!! I look at them as juicy chapters to my auto biography. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth. I do not let anything keep me down. I say “I’m fine” a lot even when I’m really not and then have to admit some days I’m not my best, but that is all apart of life. I accepted a long time ago that not everyone will like me and there is no such thing as “perfection.” That has allowed me to live a much more balanced life and reduced my stress immensely.
What is your mantra?
“Make sure there is enough room on your plate to receive your blessing.”
If your plate is too full and you are too busy and not rested and open, you will miss out on life’s signs and gifts. I was at my lowest point personally when I found yoga and fell in love with teaching fitness. I could have missed and entire new career had I allowed what was happening at home to cloud this new discovery and passion.
Why should everyone have a #LadyTribe to lean on?
Yes, yes, yes! I have the most amazing tribe of women who know me and love me for me. that is sooooo important. And motherhood — you won’t survive without a tribe!!!
Plus, you aren’t alone so don’t just get in your head feeling sorry or stressed alone. my mom always said, “ if everyone threw their shit in the middle of the room you would pick your shit back up” I always think about that when I start bitching/complaining too much.
What passion project are you working on right now?
I am cooking another human! I'm 15 weeks pregnant.
I’m also trying to rebuild my website and be better at leveraging social media and my site to share the knowledge I have to educate, support, and empower women.
What's your next big move?
My bug dream and goal is to book a pilot. I think she’s close!!! I am so ready for her
What is the hardest decision you've ever had to make?
Hmmmmm… I do not have an answer. I have had tough decisions but always had peace because I was usually making them for all the right reasons. I also deal with so much rejection in my acting career my skin is pretty thick. I also let go of shit that didn’t serve me and keep it pushing. I don’t dwell. I am external processor. I process and hit next.
Rapid Response Questions
Spirit Animal? Lioness. Svelte lady killer.
Why? She is a QUEEN.
Favorite Color? Purple… royalty (never thought about that).
What gets you out of bed in the morning? My son. My work. LIFE.
Do you love yourself? Absolutely! There is no other way to live life than to love yourself, which is why I am able to give and love endlessly.
Share one piece of advice that you find most important with all the ladies out their working hard to make their dreams come true.
Have faith. It will all happen in his time. Don’t get stuck on your plan. Work hard. Grind harder. Have fun. Rest. Be open to pivoting or adding or sharing. Make every day a dream come true don’t waste your life living for tomorrow. Find joy in each day and every hiccup. Celebrate your wins even the little ones.
I am actor and have hundreds of auditions. My father was a salesman and taught me. Control what you can control. Go in that room and do your best. IF you leave feeling great you did your part and that is all you can do. I have a glass of champagne not just when I book the jobs— id be too sober—I cheers when I leave that audition room feeling good.
Do NOT compare yourself to others. You do not know their whole story. Write your story. There is only one.
You can workout with Rachel everyday here! Use promo code RACHEL3 for a complimentary 3-month subscription and free delivery of your MIRROR, which also has financing options available.
*Bonus: Did you know Rachel Nicks contributes fitness articles to Women’s Health magazine? Here’s my favorite feature! Learn more about this #HotMama & #BossBabe at www.RachelNicks.com.