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Nicole Zapoli: 30 Years of Fitness, Mindset Shifts, & Building a Thriving Wellness Business
In this episode, Health Coach Nation Podcast Host, Hailey Rowe interviews Nicole Zapoli, a seasoned fitness professional with over 30 years of experience in training, coaching, and competitive athletics. Nicole shares her journey of building a wellness business from a young age. She also shares how she evolved through different seasons of entrepreneurship, and balancing it all as a mom, athlete, and author.
From starting a mobile gym to developing her powerful “Six Shifts” framework, this conversation is packed with insights for health coaches looking to grow a sustainable and impactful business
In this episode, you’ll learn…
- How Nicole Zapoli built her fitness business from a young age and evolved over time
- The importance of community connection and adapting marketing strategies as your business grows
- Why building the right team can accelerate your success in the wellness industry
- How to balance entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal goals without burnout
- Practical strategies to stay consistent with health and fitness—even with a busy schedule
- An overview of Nicole’s “Six Shifts” framework for sustainable health and mindset growth
- How mindset and fitness work together to build resilience in both life and business
- Why starting small with habits leads to long-term success
Key Quotes from This Episode
- “We are all busy. And, some are busier than others. But even the busiest people can still find and make time to get their training in, it really is all about priority. ” -Nicole Zapoli
- “One of the things I always help my clients with is coming up with their framework to differentiate themselves and to have something that takes coaching beyond just, oh, I help you get fit, or I help you do X, Y, Z, but actually helping someone see how or the transformation or why is coaching tangible and going to get them results.” -Hailey Rowe
About Nicole Zapoli
Nicole is a highly accomplished fitness professional with over 30 years of experience in training, coaching, and competitive athletics. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Cooper Institute Physical Fitness Specialist, OPEX CCP Level 1 Total Coach, Conjugate Tactical SME, and Bodyweight Movement Specialist, with additional certifications in nutrition and lifestyle coaching. Nicole is also a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, Certified CrossFit Judge, CrossFit Kids Trainer, and CrossFit Football Trainer (now known as Power Athlete).
Nicole’s top priority is safety and longevity through intelligent, personalized programming. Her training approach emphasizes proper body mechanics, technical precision, and a strong movement foundation. “I want my clients progressing across all domains while building base strength and improving overall conditioning.”
Her programming is results-driven—designed to increase lean muscle mass, build strength, and improve work capacity so her clients can live their strongest, healthiest, and happiest lives. Her methods are rooted in decades of hands-on experience across a wide range of disciplines, including:
● Artistic & rhythmic gymnastics
● CrossFit Gymnastics
● Olympic weightlifting (Waxman’s Gym)
● Powerlifting (Westside Barbell & Westside Tactical)
● Strength & conditioning inspired by U.S. Olympic methodologies
● Functional fitness through OPEX Fitness
Nicole’s Athletic Background
Nicole’s athletic background is just as impressive. She has competed in CrossFit, USAW Olympic weightlifting, USPA powerlifting, and Fitness America—winning the Texas title in 2006 and California title in 2011. She was a contestant on American Ninja Warrior in 2013, and in 2015 became the USPA California State Champion (48kg), holding the bench press record in her weight class. In 2021, Nicole ranked in the top 10% of the fittest women in North America in the CrossFit Games Open, and top 10% worldwide in her age group, advancing to the Quarterfinals and Age Group Online Qualifier. Most recently, Nicole placed in the top 5% fittest women in the world in her age group and top 7-8% fittest women overall in the 2024 and 2025 CrossFit Games Individual Open.
She is in her third season competing professionally in natural bodybuilding. Most recently, she won the Mr. & Ms. USA Championships this summer in Figure & placed first overall. She is also gearing up for her third Natural Olympia this November. Nicole is a best selling author. She just released her new book, Live FIT from the Inside Out; her guide to building sustainable strength, health, and happiness through her 6 SHIFTS framework.
From the age of eight, Nicole has dreamed of coaching, owning her own gym, and helping others transform their lives. Today, she continues to live that dream, while balancing her role as a passionate fitness coach, professional athlete, author, and proud mom. Outside the gym, she enjoys adventuring, painting, dancing, yoga, playing in the ocean, gymnastics, and anything that challenges her both mentally and physically.
Links & Resources
- Nicole’s Website
- Nicole’s Book: Live FIT from the Inside Out
- Nicole’s Linktree
- Nicole’s Instagram
- Nicole’s Facebook
- Nicole’s YouTube
- Free Overwhelm Cheat Sheet & Class
- Lessons From a 6-Figure Health Coach: Jaime Morroco
Disclaimer
The advice given on this episode does not qualify as financial, medical, health, legal, or investing advice. Make choices at your own risk.
