Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Zahka
Hi Nikki, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my journey when I was on the women’s varsity swimming and diving team at UNH, specifically my sophomore year. Although I was never obese, I was never comfortable or confident in my own body. My most insecure body part was always my stomach. I had “the pooch” all my life. That chub roll along the bottom of my belly, around my waist for a good little muffin top. I would look in the mirror, grabbing what I didn’t like and pick myself apart of everything that was wrong and that I hated.. But for some reason I would turn to food for comfort which would only make it worse.
One day something clicked and I decided to stop wishing I looked different and actually do something about it. I researched diets and exercises for months and committed my free time to reaching my new goals. Along the process I became more confident in myself not only from reaching goals of how I looked but the fact I was now aware I could set high goals for myself and reach them. Fitness and nutrition became an outlet for me and a sense of empowerment. It saved me.
Ultimately I want to inspire other people who are going through the same struggle as me and help people everywhere realize they are beautiful the way they are, but a healthy, balanced lifestyle will not only change your body but improve your self esteem, confidence, and respect for yourself.
You are capable of making any change you desire and I’d love to be a part of your journey and help along the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It most definitely has not been a smooth road. Moving from Boston to Austin shifted my lifestyle, mainly for the good, with an incredible health and fitness community and a million things to do at all times. I met people through going to fitness events and classes, going on lake walks or greenbelt adventures, never saying no to anyone who asked me to join something. It was a TON of fun! But it also took a toll on my body. Always on the go and hardly any time to really sit down and eat was the new norm. Then Covid hit and we all got stir crazy.. I started releasing stress from more walks, more workouts, more outdoor adventures. Which again, was extremely fun and felt good to me in the moment.. but it caused more stress on my body and an even further calorie deficit.
Over time, years of over restricting food paired with excessive high intensity exercise wreaked havoc on my body.
Your body will try to protect you. It needs energy to function. When you’re not fueling it properly it will stop giving energy to less vital functions. After your fat reserves are depleted it will take from muscle, it will slow down metabolism to save energy and burn less per day, not enough energy to reproduce so your cycle stops, hair and nails start thinning or falling out, Constant low energy.. yet your body is in constant high stress from the workouts and lack of fuel causing adrenal fatigue and potentially declining thyroid function.
The last two years have been dedicated to regaining a healthy menstrual cycle, thyroid function, organ biomarkers and truly being healthy inside and out. I finally feel like I’ve found a healthy balance!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a full-time Enterprise Account Executive for a Software Company, and as a passion project I’m a health and wellness enthusiast in Austin, Texas. I write for Austin Fit Magazine and work with various brands that align with my personal brand and mission to empower people to find self love and confidence through a healthy (balanced) lifestyle and fitness.
My content has pivoted a lot throughout the years, getting known at first for weight loss/fat loss when I lost 25 pounds and instagram was just getting started, to working with brands for events and marketing here in Austin, to now talking about my hormone journey and taking health into your own hands for longevity.
Since content creation is just a passion project I do on the side, I’m really able to be picky with who I work with and only share the brands and products I truly use and believe in myself which I think makes a huge difference. I will not share or recommend anyone I haven’t tried and tested myself.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Since content creation is just a passion project I do on the side, I’m really able to be picky with who I work with and only share the brands and products I truly use and believe in myself which I think makes a huge difference. I will not share or recommend anyone I haven’t tried and tested myself.
It makes for more genuine and relatable content because I’m really sharing my day to day and how these brands or products have helped me in my own journey to optimal health and balance. Being real is the most important factor to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/fitwithnikk_
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitwithnikk_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fitwithnikk
Image Credits
juan valdes, dillion lalor,
