Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Nicole. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ashley, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Consistency. The name of the game is consistency. Before you can become consistent, you have to set a goal, create a plan, follow the plan until it becomes a habit and continue pushing through! Don’t stop until you are successful. You may have some failed attempts, but learn from them and keep going. When you reach your goal, you should repeat this same cycle with the next goal that will take you to higher levels of success. The hardest part is getting started. You’ll never know what it is to be successful if you never start.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I am a certified Master Trainer, Founder and Health Coach at RA Warrior Fitness where the mission is to empower women living with rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic conditions to improve their quality of life through faith, food and fitness while eliminating negative self-talk and strenuous exercise. I’ve lived with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for 18 years and I’ve turned my pain into purpose by helping other women, like me, to make “rheum to rise” above their chronic conditions.

I launched my business at the start of the global pandemic in March 2020. More than 60 warriors joined my first online program which brought a sense of excitement and something to look forward to during the challenging times of being on lockdown. Since then, my program has evolved into an extended coaching program that focuses on mindset shifts, exercising the spiritual muscle (faith), the importance of drinking water and eating anti-inflammatory nutrition (food), intentional exercise for fitness level and daily steps (fitness), getting adequate rest and making time for self-care. Since its inception, RA Warrior Fitness has touched the lives of over 200 warriors through various programs and countless others via social media.

I’m most proud of the fact that I have the opportunity and platform to educate, empower and inspire women living with chronic conditions to become the best version of themselves. When I was going through my toughest times with RA, there was no one (that looked like me) on social media to be inspired by. There was not much positivity about how to thrive and rise above RA. I’m blessed that God chose me to be a positive voice and a walking testimony of what living with RA looks like.

I have RA, but RA does not have me. I want all RA Warriors to know and believe this to be true. That’s why I do what I do.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There have been moments when I was told that I couldn’t achieve a goal because of my rheumatoid arthritis. I was told that I wouldn’t be a good personal trainer because I had RA. I was also told by a doctor that I shouldn’t compete in a bodybuilding competition because my wrists are too weak and lack range of motion to lift weights. Both times, I listened to the criticism and had my moment of sadness after feeling completely deflated; however, I didn’t stay in those feelings. I used those critiques as fuel to continue pressing forward while making sure that my joints are always protected. I instill this in my clients as well.

I’m now a successful business owner, master trainer and coach, and a figure competitor in training for my first bodybuilding competition. My faith in God, belief in myself, supportive family/friends/spoonie community and a wonderful team of coaches have all pushed me to keep going.

I also developed some RA Warrior Fitness Wrist Straps for warriors like me who have joint damage and pain in the wrists. They help keep the wrists supported and stabilized during weight training and other physical activity.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When God gave me the vision to start RA Warrior Fitness, I was still working full-time with a local nonprofit that I loved. When the pandemic hit, I had the extra time to work on my business and launch it successfully. Shortly after lockdown, my full-time job made some major changes across the country and 40% of the employees ultimately lost their jobs. I was in that number. Not only did I lose my full-time income, but also my health benefits which were crucial to my overall health and well-being. I had to quickly pivot and embrace the opportunity that God had given me of full-time entrepreneurship. Never had I imagined being an entrepreneur at all!!! But God had a plan and it all worked out for the good. He also provided resources for me to get my medications free of charge for a period of time.

I’m still learning very valuable lessons as an entrepreneur, but I’m thankful for those lessons and the people God has sent my way to help navigate. I’ve been blessed to work with wonderful business coaches and a network of other like-minded entrepreneurs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rawarriorfitness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashnic_rawarriorfitness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rawarriorfitness/
• Other: https://www.myzyia.com/RAWARRIORFITNESS

Image Credits
Willie and Kim Photography