Surrender in Progress...

Did you know I owned a fitness studio on Abbot Kinney Blvd. called HUSTLE & FLOW? Some of you have known me far before that chapter but in case you didn’t know, I did that thing back in 2011.

I distinctly remember thinking “I wonder if it’s okay to learn how to ‘run a business’ while the train is moving’.

I had no clue.

After our 3rd year the lease nearly tripled and I was getting divorced, with a 2 year old in tow. I had 10 people on payroll and over 20 instructors. Closing our doors brought me to my knees because this was my chosen family. We created an environment that was welcoming, fun, and therapeutic. Life long friendships were made in that little pocket of Venice.

There were of course incredible people, resources, support and finances that showed up for me every step of the way because God is good and I expected them to.

Did that rub anyone the wrong way?

I hope not.

But if it did - what else rubs you the wrong way?

I wish I had been asked that question point blank more often because perhaps I could have gotten over myself sooner.

From where I stand now the “rubs” were manageable, and certainly conquerable.

The annoying thing about the “rub” is that the irritation you feel is the doorway impeding your progress and growth.

WHY DIDN’T ANYONE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME!

I kept the doors tightly locked.

I played small.

I settled for less money than I knew I was worth.

I down played my strengths.

I didn’t ask for the opportunity.

In 2011 I expected great things to happen and they did but I often met those great things ready to dim my light.

Lately, thanks to my Heavenly-Matt-Powered existence, I just claim it and humbly walk right in.

Long before I started my podcast my friend Jaime suggested I make a list of the top 10 dream guests I wanted to speak with and to ‘just ask them’. I laughed in her face thinking why would someone spend time chatting with me and my just born podcast. As you know my pod didn’t launch until many months after Matt’s passing. The version of myself that laughed at Jaime’s recommendation was not the version of me that actually got the podcast off the ground.

Out of those 10 dream guests, I’ve asked 3 to come on, and they all said yes.

THEY ALL SAID YES.

*well one of them didn’t answer me initially but then I came back around months later, asked again, and they answered YES instantly.

I’m not going to list them by name but my point in sharing this is I pray you don’t have to wait for a life altering tragedy to play big … or at least B I G G E R.

It’s not lost on me that losing my beloved could have gone a number of directions. Matt’s passing wrecked me in ways I didn’t know possible. Beau and I continue to uncover “surprise wounds” more often than we’d care to admit. That’s grief for ya.

The version of me you see these days is a wiser, braver Nicole. When I’m fielding DMs and emails from clients and soon-to-be-clients I often have the privilege of mirroring their MIRACULOUSNESS to them. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

Do you freaking see with your gooey eyeballs how magnificent and unique and divinely protected you are???

(I don’t say it like that - I’m classy, y’all.)

Most people don’t.

I didn’t either.

I’ve spent many years being ‘rubbed the wrong way’ by a situation, a perceived loss, or a road not taken. I think some of us do this more than others.

These days, I don’t hold hard grudges or many regrets.

These days, I trust my path.

“The greatest loss we’ll ever experience is the life we could have lived if we just let go and trusted that the universe takes care of a surrendered heart.”

I have surrendered. That’s the word. The above quote is from Cory Muscara. Ooooh maybe he should be number 11 on my guest list!!

I recently finished his book Stop Missing Your Life - it’s quite good. He is full of wisdom and I can attest that a surrendered heart will ensure miracles are on the way. During my divorce I created a hashtag because that’s what we did in the mid 2000s. #surrenderinprogress

It made sense. It was a great way to track and announce my throwing in the towel of control and expectation. I had less control than ever before and I had set down my previous expectations. Surrender was LITERALLY in progress.

I’ve always loved that phrase and it still applies.

When I find myself feeling rubbed the wrong way or playing small, I ask myself can you surrender to this and see how the universe and God hold you?

I’m always pleasantly surprised.

So we’re clear, the word easy is not listed in that statement. LOL.

Surrender in progress - let the Universe take care of your heart …and everything else too.

OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,

xx

Nic.

ps. CLASSES THIS WEEK and announcements:

* Tuesday QUICKIE YOGA (today) 12-12:30pm pst. $10. CANCELLED. I’ll be on LIVE IN THE BAY for those of you San Francisco locals. Tune in if you can.

* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW. 10:45-11:45am. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.

pps. JUNE FIT 2024 (beginning June 3rd) and why you need to be an INFINITE MEMBER asap.

JUNE FIT is 9 strength + 3 yoga classes in 30 days. In June, I’ll be offering a continuous schedule of classes from June 3rd through June 29th which is 16 classes (M/W/F/SAT) and a great deal for my INFINITE members because it’s all included for you. If you’d like to just join us in JUNE FIT that’s great too and worth every penny. By joining the INFINITE membership however you’ll be getting a bigger bang for your buck. If the summer months seem to be about everyone else BUT YOU, come join us so we can celebrate YOU. We get it done in 35 minutes. I promise you’ll have fun, create a routine, and reap the benefits of more movement. Learn about JUNE FIT HERE or get JUNE FIT and everything I have available in my INFINITE MEMBERSHIP HERE.

ppps. EPISODE 23 OF SHOCK AND YALL IS OUT NOW. I’m speaking with a professional host, bestselling author and a total legend: DR. JOHN DELONY. This man is the real real deal and you likely already know who he is or have seen his content. He came to me via a very special person that I’ve known since she was 9 years old. I was so grateful she connected me to John. Our conversation was non stop. He is intelligent, quick witted and just salt of the earth. I have so much respect for him and was blessed to have an hour of his time. GET A NOTEBOOK because we go all in!! Here’s TWO video snippets below. Can’t help it - they’re so good.

OH AND PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE, REVIEW THE SHOW HERE.

Thank you in advance and enjoy…