Today, we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Engelgau.
Hi Nicole, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love affair with fitness and movement began after my daughter was born.
Struggling with mental health and body dysmorphia throughout high school and college was the norm for me, so my body image issues had a well-mapped foundation. I was 24 years old, three months sober off of opiates, and newly pregnant. Because I hadn’t been present in my own body for five years throughout my addiction, I gained a massive amount of weight during the pregnancy.
I had never been overweight in my life, but while I was growing as a child, my body was also repairing the nutrient deficiencies from being heroin chic thin. Looking at my baby, feeling so at peace with this precious little life I had brought into the world, and over a year sober–I was hellbent on becoming my best self. I hired a personal trainer and got to training like my life depended on it.
Training led me to bodybuilding. Competing in bodybuilding led me to get my NASM certification. Becoming NASM certified led me to franchised gym management. Gym management led me to create my own very own fitness practice. The many, many stories in between lead me to soul searching, healing my nervous system, and gaining deep, meaningful connections with clientele, all while seeking a whole, peaceful life to share with my two beautiful children at their very own Mommy Gym.
Demon Time Fitness (AKA Mommy Gym) is a place for all people to come and be themselves, no filters, to explore their inner truth while they move their bodies. We are all here on this Earth for a short time, the message isn’t to look leaner or more fit, it’s to be your healthiest, happiest, truest you!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Is anything a smooth road? I think that the idea there is anything constant, or constantly gratifying for that fact, about business ownership needs to be smashed. It’s a 24/7/365 thing; the business is you, and you are it. Like life, the challenges and obstacles are in constant ebbs and flows. I’ve struggled with everything, probably.
From acquisitions and financing to aligning my mission and vision with my own truth to finding people on the same wavelength as me to be a part of it. What I’ve found out, though, is that the louder I am about who I am and what I want to create, the more people show up to support me, and pieces always keep moving. I’ve learned to worry less and trust more.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a NASM-certified personal trainer with a specialization in corrective exercise, bodybuilding, and athletic performance. I have 8+ years of experience. I’m known for helping women continue to seek their truth while using fitness as a healing medium. (I’m really great at building butts and abs, too).
I want women/everyone to know that we don’t have to settle for things we don’t want, we don’t have to be who we used to be, we are allowed to question things, to change, and to grow! I think a lot of us were taught to stay polished in public, keep things really close to the chest, not trust others, and not be truthful about who we are and the experiences we’ve had to make others more comfortable.
All we have in life is our own experience, and if we can’t be real about that, then what are we even doing here? The realness of being can shape us into beautiful, ascended warriors where we can help touch other’s lives while we live completely as our authentic selves unburdened by expectation and pre-scripted beliefs. Keep those vibes high, y’all!!!!! I’m most proud of my martial arts cross-over from bodybuilding! I’ve been training martial arts for almost five years now!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Anything Disney. Absolutely Disney World. I grew up on the Space Coast, and we were annual pass holders. I’m a Disney Adult–I don’t care, no shame, I’ll let you know right now.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msglitternshine/
- Website: https://linktr.ee/msglitternshine
