Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Sharp.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nikki. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I came to be passionate about health because of many years of battling a lot of issues in my body. I was an international model for many years, however, I was going through two eating disorders during this time, total uncertainty and was quite unhappy in my life. Growing up, I was put on the strong anti-acid pills twice (at 7 and 13), had terrible acne and was put on Accutane 3x before I was 21, being told that I would most likely have to be on it the rest of my life. I had insomnia for seven years and was put into a sleep clinic in NYC with electrodes all over my head – every time a doctor would just tell me “here’s another pill” and send me on my way.
I realized there had to be something else going on, because all these pills were not actually helping. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong and was constantly searching for answers which I never found through conventional medicine. This led me into a deep path of self-discovery, first learning about nutrition. I started an Instagram account to track my progress and to post motivational photos. Very few were doing this at the time, and I used it as a place to share my progress and talk openly about my body dysmorphia and eating disorders. As time went on more and more people followed me. I then wrote a program called the 5-Day Detox, which I had nutritionists and dietitians give the a-ok for. This plan was sold as a PDF via Instagram, which was five meals a day, for five days. It went viral, selling 100,000 copies worldwide. During this time, I was learning everything I could about nutrition from all different fields. I then went on to do meditation studies, learning about Ayurveda, became a certified health coach, received certifications in raw foods, nutrition for everyday living, and sports nutrition. Following this, I did my 200hr yoga teacher training in Bali and became a vegan chef then took a course at Le Cordeon Bleu in Paris.
I then went on to create an app for the detox, which hit #1 in 6 countries, including the US and received a two-book deal from Random House. I turned the detox into the first book and wrote about meal prepping for the second, both of which became Amazon’s best sellers. I also launched a podcast which made it to the iTunes Top 30 charts. Today, I coach men and women on food, fitness, and helping them to find a deeper sense of purpose, love, and happiness within themselves. This might be through food, their relationships, or finding their purpose in life. My goal has always to help people make more simplified choices by de-mystifying health. Ultimately, I want to Make Health Sexy and transform the way we look at it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not! From going through tremendous body issues up until I was 30 (you name it, I had it – IBS, anxiety, depression, chronic acne, suicidal thoughts, hating my body, feeling unworthy, etc), it took deep courage to look inside of myself to understand why I was going through all of these. Doing the self-work is tremendously hard but also gives us perspective on why we go through the suffering we do. Ultimately, I am grateful that I have gone through these challenges because I’ve learned how to be empathetic to others and work with people to help them when doctors and therapists haven’t been able to.
There were countless other challenges that came up along my journey, constantly making me question why I had become an entrepreneur. When your only mission is to help others, it’s hard when you are having to fight so many battles. I know that many look at my life and think about how ‘perfect’ it looks, yet most don’t understand the daily battles that we all go through.
I’ve learned that everything tends to happen exactly as it’s meant to, though.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m known as an international wellness expert, having two best-selling books, co-authored a third, a #1 mobile health app, iTunes Top 30 podcast. I do one-on-one coaching with clients who are ready to see the changes they desire, be it in their body, manifesting the relationship they want, or getting a job that fulfills them. I also do business coaching as many want to know the secrets of how I was able to grow my brand. I love helping people in all facets of life and have a natural gift that I can share information easily, so it’s more understandable/simplified.
As my Instagram has grown (345,000), I also look at this as a business. Because I put out free content every day sharing how to live a healthier and happier life. I’m most proud of the fact that I am so empathetic and compassionate to others because of everything I’ve been through, and therefore know how to help heal them. It’s one of my greatest gifts and the reason I’m on this planet – to be of service to make other’s lives more vibrant.
And what sets me apart is that I’ve been through so much suffering, yet I’ve never let it define me. Instead, I always found a way outside of the typical doctor/therapist route. When men and women come to me for eating disorders or those who want to lose weight/get over fear of food, I know EXACTLY how to help them. Which is why my 3-month Ultimate Transformation Program has such a high success rate. I’ve worked with thousands of men and woman across the world, including celebrity clients, to help them achieve all their biggest goals.
My books are: The 5-Day Real Food Detox, Meal Prep Your Way to Weight Loss, and I’m a co-author of Models Do Eat.
Mobile app: 5-Day Detox by Nikki Sharp
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have created a business plan for everything I dreamed of doing. When I started, it was just an Instagram account to motivate myself to a healthier lifestyle. Then the detox sold so well, but I never set up plans on what to do next beyond new ebooks. I didn’t lay the foundation of a company (never knowing that I would HAVE a successful company, or that I would start doing health/life coaching).
It’s a catch 22 because in one sense, I am where I am because of everything that’s happened and, in another sense, of course, I wish I had planned and executed things better. I believe that with ANY business, you have to plan and navigate and not just react.
Pricing:
- $200 per hour long health/life coaching session with detailed session notes provided
- 3-Month Ultimate Transformation Program, enquire at nikki@nikkisharp.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nikkisharp.com
- Email: nikki@nikkisharp.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nikkisharp
Suggest a story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
