In Conversation with Fitness Coach and Best-Selling Author Nicole Zapoli

Nicole Zapoli is a highly accomplished fitness professional with over 30 years of experience in training, coaching, and competitive athletics. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Cooper Institute Physical Fitness Specialist, OPEX CCP Level 1 Total Coach, Conjugate Tactical SME, and Bodyweight Movement Specialist, with additional certifications in nutrition and lifestyle coaching.

Nicole Zapoli is also a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, Certified CrossFit Judge, CrossFit Kids Trainer, and CrossFit Football Trainer (now known as Power Athlete).

Nicole Zapoli’s top priority is safety and longevity through intelligent, personalized programming. Her training approach emphasizes proper body mechanics, technical precision, and a strong movement foundation.

Her programming is results-driven—designed to increase lean muscle mass, build strength, and improve work capacity so her clients can live their strongest, healthiest, and happiest lives. Her methods are rooted in decades of hands-on experience across a wide range of disciplines, Including:

● Artistic & rhythmic gymnastics

● CrossFit Gymnastics

● Olympic weightlifting (Waxman’s Gym)

● Powerlifting (Westside Barbell & Westside Tactical)

● Strength & conditioning inspired by U.S. Olympic methodologies

● Functional fitness through OPEX Fitness

Nicole Zapoli’s athletic background is just as impressive. She has competed in CrossFit, USAW Olympic weightlifting, USPA powerlifting, and Fitness America—winning the Texas title in 2006 and California title in 2011. She was a contestant on American Ninja Warrior in 2013, and in 2015 became the USPA California State Champion (48kg), holding the bench press record in her weight class. In 2021, Nicole Zapoli ranked in the top 10% of the fittest women in North America in the CrossFit Games Open, and top 10% worldwide in her age group, advancing to the Quarterfinals and Age Group Online Qualifier. Most recently, Nicole Zapoli placed in the top 5% fittest women in the world in her age group and top 7-8% fittest women overall in the 2024 and 2025 CrossFit Games Individual Open.

She is in her third season competing professionally in natural bodybuilding, most recently winning the Mr. & Ms. USA Championships this summer in Figure as well placing first overall. She is also gearing up for her third Natural Olympia this November. Nicole Zapoli is a best-selling author and just released her new book, Live FIT from the Inside Out, her guide to building sustainable strength, health, and happiness through her 6 SHIFTS framework.

From the age of eight, Nicole Zapoli has dreamed of coaching, owning her own gym, and helping others transform their lives. Today, she continues to live that dream while balancing her role as a passionate fitness coach, professional athlete, author, and proud mom. Outside the gym, she enjoys adventuring, painting, dancing, yoga, playing in the ocean, gymnastics, and anything that challenges her both mentally and physically.

Hi Nicole Zapoli! Tell us about who you are and where you are from.

Hello! Yes, of course! I am a professional fitness and wellness coach, certified personal trainer, athlete, and more! My passion, purpose, and mission in life is to help empower others onto living their strongest, healthiest, happiest lives possible.

I am also a proud mom to two amazing kids, Rylee and Declan, and soulmate to the love of my life, Jon. I love spending quality time with my family and friends, training, adventuring, traveling, being artsy, painting, music, playing in the ocean, dancing, yoga, and anything outdoors.

From as early as eight years old, I knew that I wanted to own my own gym business, be a coach, entrepreneur, and most importantly, knew I wanted to help people when I grew up. As a young girl, I loved how empowering, fun, and awesome it was to feel and BE strong, healthy, and happy. I knew from then on I would be spreading my love and passion for fitness for the rest of my life!

Originally from Richmond-Sugar Land-Surfside Beach, Texas, I began my lifelong fitness journey with dance at the age of two, gymnastics at four, and was competing in artistic gymnastics by the age of six. I later switched to rhythmic gymnastics.

By the age of fourteen, I had received the opportunity to train at the United States Olympic Training Center and was a 4-time Texas State Champion in rhythmic gymnastics, 4-time Junior Olympian, and a member of the US Junior Olympic Academic Team.

Following rhythmic gymnastics, I cheered competitively for three years becoming a three time All American cheerleader. I went on to dance and cheer professionally for the NFL Houston Texans and the NBA Houston Rockets along with various other professional dance companies specializing in modern/contemporary and hip hop/street jazz.

I started my first business when I was 19 years old, a mobile gym business, offering in-home personal training as well as cheer, dance, and gymnastics coaching programs at private schools, day cares, and after school community programs.

A few years later, in 2009, I discovered CrossFit and soon decided to become a CrossFit Trainer as well as a CrossFit Gymnastics Trainer. Soon after that I was invited to intern and eventually join the CrossFit Gymnastics Seminar Team. For the past 13 years I have had the opportunity to travel the world and teach gymnastics in the functional fitness and CrossFit world both as part of CFG as well as within my own business and brand, NZ Fitness. I have now booked, organized, planned, prepped, taught, coached, and led more than 130+ NZ Fitness gymnastics workshops worldwide, as well as another 40+ CrossFit Gymnastics Seminars worldwide.

I have had the opportunity to be part of so many fitness community events locally to worldwide representing several fitness companies as an athlete, ambassador, business owner, seminar coach, etc.

The amount of willingness and dedication to my own personal growth and pushing past my comfort zone this has taken me is beyond all comprehension. I am proud of myself for having the courage to say yes to new life opportunities.

The honor to receive and say yes to new, amazing life opportunities to level up always far outweighs fear!

I eventually opened my own CrossFit affiliate when I was 29 years old and was brought on as a co-owner of another already established CrossFit affiliate when I was 34 years old.

In 2016, my seventh entrepreneurial venture and business baby, NZ Fitness LLC was born; offering remote online coaching + custom programming, personal training, virtual personal training, gymnastics workshops, mobile custom nutrition app, and nutrition coaching support. You can also find NZ Fitness in-person training located throughout the county of San Diego; in-home and outdoor, resort and boutique gyms, CrossFit affiliates, and more!

My lifelong fitness journey has allowed and continues to allow me endless opportunities to create, grow, learn, build, and evolve as a person, mom, athlete, business owner, and entrepreneur. I am forever grateful for the many people, experiences, adventures, and beyond that have shaped me into who I am today.

How did you get your start in the fitness industry, and how long have you been in the industry?

Starting gymnastics at age 4 was my start! The gym or “fitness” has been part of my daily life ever since…almost 40 years!

What led you to choose this career path? What makes your story unique?

How and when did you start NZ Fitness?

In 2015, I began putting together what and how I wanted to structure my life and business. In 2016, I launched NZ Fitness.

What sort of training and coaching do you offer?

NZ Fitness training method is designed to build strength, overall work capacity, and increase lean body mass so that NZ Fitness clients have the ability to live their strongest, healthiest, happiest life possible. All program designs are derived from over 30+ years of experience in training and coaching including artistic & rhythmic gymnastics, CrossFit Gymnastics, bodybuilding, power lifting, tactical training, Olympic weightlifting, yoga & ayurveda, adaptive training, and US Olympic strength & conditioning training and coaching methodologies.

My top priority is creating a training protocol that revolves around safety via optimal body mechanics, technique, and building a solid movement foundation. I want my clients progressing across all domains as they continue building their base strength and overall conditioning.

What aspects of remote coaching and virtual personal training do you find to be the most rewarding or beneficial?

The ability to support and coach my clients from anywhere in the world no matter their goals or what their daily life looks like. The ability to guide and empower my clients, who are all high achievers and lead very full, busy lives.

You are also a best-selling author. How did Live FIT from the Inside Out come about? Tell us a bit about the book.

Yes, thank you! My book is an empowering, deeply personal guide to achieving holistic fitness and wellness through consistent lifestyle changes. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in competitive and professional sports, coaching, and wellness education, I introduce readers to my SHIFTS framework – a practical, customizable six-part strategy designed to create sustainable transformation from the inside out.

The book opens with an intimate look into my background: an athletic upbringing rooted in gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading, supported by a strong family foundation in movement and nutrition. My early exposure to fitness through playful yet disciplined routines with my father set the stage for a lifetime of coaching others toward strength, resilience, and self-worth. I candidly share my own experiences, including challenging pregnancies and postpartum recovery, to illustrate the real-life application of my philosophy: movement is medicine, and consistency breeds confidence.

The heart of the book lies in the SHIFTS framework, an acronym representing six foundational pillars: Sleep, Hydration, Intake, Fitness, Thoughts, and Sunshine. Each component is addressed not only as a health behavior, but as a mindset and life practice. I argue that small, repeatable daily actions aligned with these six principles produce lasting, transformative results. I also reinforce that there is no quick fix. Lasting fitness and wellness come from intentional effort and a commitment to showing up for oneself.

Throughout the chapters, I blend personal anecdotes, coaching wisdom, client success stories, and scientific research. Whether recounting my elite training at the Olympic Training Center or coaching adaptive athletes, I intentionally maintain an authentic voice grounded in empathy and grit. My approach emphasizes customization over perfection, encouraging readers to start wherever they are, adapt as needed, and focus on progress over comparison.

I address common mindset “minefields” such as self-doubt, perfectionism, and time scarcity. I use these as entry points for self-assessments, helping readers identify internal obstacles that prevent consistency. By offering powerful reframes like “I can’t because…” to “I will because…”, I arm readers with tools to rewrite their inner dialogue. My message is clear: true fitness is not just physical – it’s mental, emotional, and even spiritual.

Part of the book’s strength lies in its real-life relatability. I share stories of my clients of all ages and abilities who transformed their lives using SHIFTS. These stories highlight the wide applicability of my method from a 40-year-old regaining control over chronic pain, to a college athlete finding strength in a balanced approach, to a 60-year-old professional discovering renewed energy and purpose.

Where can Live FIT from the Inside Out be purchased?

Available in paperback, hard cover, Kindle, and Audible on Amazon! Currently working to get everything onto Ingram Spark and into bookstores.

Aside from being a fitness guru, you are also a model. How long have you been modeling for, and what was your first shoot?

Yes, thank you! I did my first modeling gig and photoshoot for Limited Too and my first video shoot for a music video for Nickelodeon when I was ~10-11 years old.

What types of modeling do you specialize in?

Fitness, swimwear, lifestyle, branding, etc.

What are some of the most memorable photoshoots that you’ve had?

Oh my goodness, there are so many! One of the most fun shoots was on a sailboat for a navy diver apparel company in San Diego. They needed fit ladies who were certified divers. We sailed around the bay, and I got to go diving about a mile out in front of Hotel Del.

Do you have any role models that have guided your journey?

I am forever grateful for the many people, experiences, adventures, and beyond that have shaped me into who I am today.

Any other endeavors or upcoming projects that we should currently be on the lookout for from you?

I am currently on a book and podcast tour for the next 5-6 months speaking on my book and coaching business. I am scheduled for about 4-5 podcasts per month and will be sharing more info, etc. on my social media.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Instagram: @nicolezapoli and @_nz_fitness https://www.instagram.com/nicolezapoli / https://www.instagram.com/_nz_fitness

Facebook: Nicole Zapoli https://www.facebook.com/nicolezapoli

Before you go, let’s ask you a bit of an off-topic question. If you were not doing what you currently do, what would be your dream job?

I love oil painting abstract oceanscapes and sunsets and could do that forever if someone wanted to pay me for that, haha. 🙂 And, I LOVE interior design! People have actually paid me to help them redesign their living spaces. I have also been doing hair since I was a little girl and would do everyone’s hair for cheer and gymnastics comps, prom and homecoming, including my little sister’s friends. I have been paid to do many an updo! I had/have a photography business on the side and have shot several weddings, fitness shoots, album covers, maternity and family portraits, etc. I LOVE being on the boat and on/in the water. My other interest when I was growing up was marine biology and oceanography. If we could somehow combine all of these, besides doing hair, haha, that included with my ultimate dream of my NZ Fitness and Wellness Ranch, that would be amazing. 🙂

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!