Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Harrison
Hi Nina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From Books to Barbells: My Fitness Evolution
I was born and raised in Ukraine, a country built on strength, resilience, and discipline. From an early age, I was taught the value of hard work. My beloved parents had a clear goal for me: “Learn English. It will open doors.” And so I did. I became an English teacher, dedicating my days to helping others master a language that wasn’t my own but one I had worked tirelessly to learn.
But deep down, I had another calling. While I was teaching, I was dreaming—not of classrooms, but of movement. Of strength. Of barbells. I imagined flying barbells over my head and pulling myself up on the rings like some sort of fitness superhero.
Funny enough, as a child, I wasn’t lifting weights—I was playing the violin. Instead of deadlifts, I practiced delicate bow strokes. Instead of building muscle, I built patience (which, let’s be honest, also comes in handy at the gym). But even then, I knew I was meant for something more.
Life took me to Poland for my master’s, and then a short visit to the U.S. turned into something much bigger. Here, fitness wasn’t just a hobby—it was a way of life. For the first time, I saw a path to turn my passion into a career. The U.S. became my home, where I built my own version of the American Dream—one of strength, resilience, and endless possibilities. And I love it here.
I immersed myself in training, pushing my body in ways I never had before, studying movement, nutrition, and performance with the same discipline I once applied to academics. But the journey wasn’t perfect—I made mistakes, chased quick fixes, and then faced one of my biggest challenges: motherhood. Going through my second pregnancy and getting back in shape wasn’t easy. As a single mom, I know what it’s like to juggle responsibilities, feel exhausted, and make excuses. But I also know that if you commit, trust the process, and do the work, transformation isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. That’s why I share my knowledge not only with my clients but also through my YouTube channel, Nina Harrison Fitness, where I inspire and educate others on training, nutrition, and the mindset needed to achieve lasting results. Health is everything. As the saying goes, a healthy person has a thousand wishes, but a sick person has only one.
Today, I don’t just train—I teach. My background in education gives me a unique ability to guide, motivate, and break down the process so my clients don’t just follow a program—they understand it. I push people beyond what they think they’re capable of, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful that breakthrough moment can be.
Now, I have the privilege of working in the heart of Westlake at Kokoro Wellness Center—a truly next-level training facility where science meets performance. This isn’t just another gym. Kokoro is where cutting-edge fitness technology and elite recovery tools come together to help people achieve their peak potential. From state-of-the-art equipment to cryotherapy, infrared saunas, and cold plunges, it offers everything needed to build strength, enhance recovery, and transform the body.
I am a fitness coach and nutritionist, the founder of NH Fitness, my own training brand, where I focus on delivering real, measurable results. I track progress with precision using the InBody Machine, ensuring that every step forward is backed by data. My mission is to help clients build not just physical strength, but confidence, resilience, and discipline—the same qualities that shaped my own journey.
I know what it means to start from zero. I couldn’t do a single pull-up before I mastered muscle-ups on the rings. Now, I launch myself over the bar with ease, defying gravity with each explosive movement. I remember the days when lifting a barbell felt impossible—now, I make them fly over my head. Because growth isn’t just about getting stronger—it’s about becoming unstoppable.
I built myself from the ground up. I know what it takes. And I can take you there too. Dream Big, Plan Small, and Act Now. If you’re ready to push past your limits and unlock your true strength, I’m ready to guide you every step of the way. Let’s build something powerful—together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I immersed myself in training, pushing my body in ways I never had before, studying movement, nutrition, and performance with the same discipline I once applied to academics. But the journey wasn’t perfect—I made mistakes, chased quick fixes, and then faced one of my biggest challenges: motherhood. Going through my second pregnancy and getting back in shape wasn’t easy. As a single mom, I know what it’s like to juggle responsibilities, feel exhausted, and make excuses. But I also know that if you commit, trust the process, and do the work, transformation isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. Health is everything. As the saying goes, a healthy person has a thousand wishes, but a sick person has only one.
As you know, we’re big fans of Nina Harrison Fitness, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a fitness coach and nutritionist, the founder of NH Fitness, my own training brand, where I focus on delivering real, measurable results. Now, I have the privilege of working in the heart of Westlake at Kokoro Wellness Center—a truly next-level training facility where science meets performance. This isn’t just another gym. Kokoro is where cutting-edge fitness technology and elite recovery tools come together to help people achieve their peak potential. From state-of-the-art equipment to cryotherapy, infrared saunas, and cold plunges, it offers everything needed to build strength, enhance recovery, and transform the body.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I know what it means to start from zero. I couldn’t do a single pull-up before I mastered muscle-ups on the rings. Now, I launch myself over the bar with ease, defying gravity with each explosive movement. I remember the days when lifting a barbell felt impossible—now, I make them fly over my head. Because growth isn’t just about getting stronger—it’s about becoming unstoppable.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhfit_fitness/ and https://www.instagram.com/ninaharrison.fitness/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ninaharrisonfitness
