Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Plessett.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
When I was 13 years old, I watched the movie “Bloodsport” with Jean Claude Van Damme. I was amazed by his athletic ability and physique. I immediately asked my parents to enroll me in kickboxing classes. After training for about a year, I began to focus more on girlfriends, partying, and sometimes school – high school was fun put it that way! Fast forward to 2013 and I’ve graduated from Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality management and was on my way to my dream job. I was accepted into the management training program for hotel tycoon Marriott hotels. It took about one month until I realized corporate life was not for me… I began to hate my job. I knew there was so much more I could be doing for myself and others.
So, after two years at two different properties, I decided to quit. I worked odd jobs trying to make ends meet but quickly realized if I was going to be happy in my career, I needed to go back to my passion. I had continued to train on and off throughout college and while I was working for Marriott. Then, one day on Instagram, I see a friend promoting her kickboxing classes. I thought to myself… well, I know how to kickbox, I’ve been training for much longer than she has – maybe I can do that too (I had never taught a fitness class in my life). I reached out to her and she put me in touch with the owner of the studio – a small local franchise gym in Kendall called ILKB. My first class was a hit and the rest is kind of history. From there, I moved on to SobeKick and Thump Fight gym. Teaching 6 to 8 classes a week. Then, I decided to test myself in competition and began competing in amateur MMA and Muay Thai Kickboxing. My plan was to do one or two fights just to prove to myself that I could. Well, that skyrocketed my teaching career and started having people reach out for private training. So, I decided to solidify myself as a fitness professional by getting my personal training certification. After eight weeks, I was a NASM certified personal trainer. Fast forward to 2019 and I have 11 fights in three different sports and an amateur Muay Thai championship belt. I’ve worked at prestigious gyms in different states including the Under Armour Global Headquarters in Baltimore and the University of Maryland. I’m blessed to have taken a chance, followed my dreams, and changed my life forever.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not smooth at all. While I was working for Marriott, I began to struggle with alcoholism. I would drink basically every day when I got off work – it was bad. Along with drinking way too much, I began to become depressed. It’s a difficult thing to set a goal you believe is your dream, only to achieve it and be miserable. Add in multiple injuries including six dislocated shoulders, a broken clavicle, an open dislocated toe, and shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum… a rough road would be an understatement.
What do you do? What do you specialize in?
I teach a variety of different classes including boot camp boxing, Muay Thai, circuit training and technical boxing. That’s one thing that sets me apart from most trainers they’re usually one or the other. I’m known for my high energy, core conditioning, intense classes, and AWESOME playlists. People tend to come up to me after a class not only to compliment me for a great class but tell me how much they loved the music. I used to DJ once upon a time so I take pride in having playlists that get people hype! I’m most proud of the opportunity to encourage others. I’ve met and connected with hundreds of fascinating people through my classes. I’m blessed to be able to share my energy with them and theirs with me. I also LOVE to hold focus pads… something extremely important if you’re a boxing/kickboxing trainer. I’m proud to say that I’ve held pads for over 200 people in two different continents.
Tell us about your childhood, what were you like growing up?
I was somewhat a trouble maker. Definitely the class clown, I loved to make people laugh. I was obsessed with anything superhero related especially marvel. I also loved sports and originally wanted to be a professional basketball player.
Pricing:
- First class is FREE
- Intro PT session $50
Contact Info:
- Phone: 7863892835
- Email: corekickboxing@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmenickp/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nick-Plessett-486927091747308/
Image Credit:
@2homelessart
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