Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Sapp Spoelstra.
Hi Nikki, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Kendall, FL, and went through the public school system. I was always really passionate about the arts – dance, painting, fashion, and writing, and I had adults and role models in my life that gave me space to explore my creativity.
While attending FIU and teaching dance classes to kids, I danced professionally for the Miami HEAT before heading west to Los Angeles to pursue a career in art. Living in LA was overwhelming in a lot of ways, but I learned so much during my time there. I eventually made my way back to Miami and worked as a gallery director for an art gallery in Bal Harbour before transitioning into my teaching career. Teaching middle school was one of the most difficult yet rewarding experiences I’ve had. I was the coach of the dance team, which felt to me like I had come full circle. In 2015, I was selected as Teacher of the Year by my colleagues and administrators.
I married my longtime love, Erik, in 2016 and gave birth to our first son, Santiago, in 2018. In 2019, I gave birth to our second son, Dante. In April of 2021, I celebrated one year of sobriety and announced the launch of my podcast, The Know with Nikki Spo, which is dedicated to empowering women. The last year has been a time of tremendous transformation for me, and my hope is to help other people realize their deep inner knowing and live their most authentic lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been anything but smooth. As a sober woman, I now have the sense of awareness and care to look at my life experiences and see how everything has brought me to this point. And though my life has been beautiful in so many ways, there was also a lot of trauma that occurred and healing that had to be done.
From the time I was very young, I have always had a complicated and strained relationship with my mother. Because of the complexity of my experiences in childhood and growing up, I had a lot of fear surrounding motherhood. I experienced Postpartum Anxiety after the birth of both my sons, which exacerbated my drinking and ultimately left me feeling isolated and without purpose. I sought help, and though it has not been easy or smooth, I am learning one day at a time to live as a sober woman, mother, wife, friend, and entrepreneur.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a podcaster and content creator. I create space to amplify the stories of tenacious women and highlight their journeys to living their most authentic lives. I’m known for my resilience, honesty, and vulnerability. I am most proud of the healing work I’ve done, the mother I’ve become, and the wife I am. I’m also really proud of my sobriety (and to begin this journey during a pandemic!).
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am constantly sourcing, listening to, and looking out for inspiration. I love working with like-minded businesses, and it is my passion to connect with people throughout their journeys. I have been blessed to be supported by so many wonderful brands, including Sana Skin Studio, and I am always looking for interesting sponsorship opportunities for my podcast, The Know with Nikki Spo. More than anything, people can support me by living in their Know, and of course, listening to my podcast 🙂 where I have the great fortune of interviewing some really fascinating people.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.nikkispo.com
- Instagram: @nikkisappspo + @theknowwithnikkispo
- Twitter: twitter.com/nikkispo
