We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Fife recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Yoga Found Me

Hi, my name is Nicole Fife and I’m a Native Houstonian. Growing up, my grandfather was into bodybuilding at the YMCA and was in a few fitness magazines. He had an amazing physique I always admired as a little girl. His biceps were so large, I would grab onto his arm & swing back & forth. It was so awesome. He really set the pace for my interest in health & fitness as I grew into an adult.

After working out for years in the gym, I finally decided to train for a real live fitness competition, but after rigorous training & not enough down time, I succumbed to an injury.

My left arm became immobilized & I lost complete flexion and extension to the extent that I didn’t even have the strength to hold a hairbrush. My arm stayed supported in a sling with months of recovery. Needless to say, I lost all desire and passion to ever go to the gym again, but I was not forgotten.

As I sank into a deep depression, a little voice inside started to tell me to try yoga. I ignored it for months, thinking it was something that was not for me at all. No one in my family ever did yoga and honestly, I knew nothing about it. The little voice stayed persistent for over 6 to 8 months until I finally broke down and went to my 1st yoga class ever. This is where all the magic began. During my 1st yoga class, I began to cry uncontrollably half way through the class. I had no idea what was happening & left class puzzled but feeling good. This continued to happen as I returned for a 2nd and 3rd class. By the 3rd class I had to ask the teacher if something was wrong with me, was this normal?! She reassured me this was a wonderful thing that was happening & it was very normal. My body was releasing all of my hurts, all of my disappointments, my defeat, my depression, the list could go on & on.

It was the most freeing, spiritual, magical, refreshing experience I had ever felt. I was simply amazed and speechless. I made a decision right then to learn everything about this “Yoga” and share it with everyone so they would be set free from the inside out like I was. This is my mission. To help each and every one of you to let go of the things that no longer serve your highest purpose and come back into a place of renewal, a place of peace, a place where you can breathe and be free from the inside out. You are not forgotten either, Will you join me?

Nicole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Yoga literally saved my life which lead me to make a commitment to continue educating myself in all areas of service. My certifications include: Mental Health Yoga Coach, Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor, 500 hour R-YTT with Yoga Alliance, Warrior PTSD and Meridian Yoga Therapy.
Being a drug/alcohol free Instructor and recovering alcoholic in AA, I soon will be a facilitator for Y12R.
Yoga & 12 Step Recovery.
The services I provide are: private sessions for individuals with injury recovery, back pain, breathing issues and more.
Each session is specialized for the needs of that person.
Corporate Yoga Sessions: De-Stressing from work, Tech-Neck movements, Restorative exercises for legs, tight hips & sore back from sitting. Eye exercises for Digital Eye Strain.
Trauma-Informed Yoga Guide for individuals who suffer from Trauma, Loss, Death, Abuse & things of that nature.
Mental Health Yoga Coach assist with behavioral issues, Depression, ADHD, Anxiety and Addiction of any kind.
My style of teaching stands out from the knowledge I have obtained from spending time and training in India.
The Hatha Yoga traditions & principles I honor in my practice & share in my classes.
The name of my studio is Unleash Yoga.
The name “Unleash Yoga” is two-fold.
First: To Unleash false judgements & expectations that we’ve put on ourselves and others.
Second: Begin to allow your True Self to Unleash as you reconnect to your body through conscious breath & mindful movement.
Motto: Unleash Yoga, Unleash You

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn was most of what I was taught as a child to believe was a lie. From religion, to how I viewed myself, the world around me and life all together. All my life I felt like this was it. I felt like everything was a No in fear of being judged & condemned. Neglected, abused and abandoned as a child, I had no faith in the world. I always felt alone & suffered from depression. When I started my Yoga Training, something happened inside of me. It was what I call “Adult Growing Pains.” I would leave my training & cry all the way home. I was being unconditioned. The veil was being removed from my mind & eyes to see the world in a new way. In a more beautiful way. Full of possibility, creativity and love. I began to heal and be an active participant in my life again. God, my Higher Power of my understanding, became much larger and more beautiful than I could ever imagine. I no longer felt alone. I have a sense of knowing now that I am ok. The sacred practice of Yoga is a gift I received at the right time in my life. I will forever be grateful and keep it in a special place deep within my heart.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience can come in different forms. The four main types of resilience are physical resilience, mental resilience, emotional resilience, and social resilience. My middle name should be Resilience! From growing up in a broken home, I was raised by my Grandparents from age 2. Suffering trauma and abuse along the way, I always remained very independent, strong-willed and determined. My teen years were spent at 4 Junior Highs and 6 High Schools. I always had my own place since I left home at 16. At 18 I was scouted at a mall and became a Model for many years. Traveling & doing Runway Shows, etc. Being a Mom at 25, I had 2nd child at 31. I found out the dad had been cheating on me while pregnant & on bed rest. After baby was born & 1 week old, the father left for work and never returned. I raised my two daughters be myself, making a promise to myself & them to be the mother I always wanted and never had. That’s exactly what I did. I gave up my life to be there for them working full time and modeling on the side. I worked for a large company for over 10 years who wrongfully terminated me under false pretense. I did take them to court and win. After this I started my first business www.nixxevents.com. A Mobile Bartender Company. It has been very successful now for 8 years. Around 5 years ago I was training for a Fitness Competition when I injured my left arm. That’s where my story began of finding Yoga. Now I have my own Yoga Studio and host Workshops, etc. Having resilience to me means staying true to yourself no matter what or who is against you. Family, employer, partner, etc. It means keeping the light inside your heart burning with faith and hope for a better day ahead. Getting back up immediately and dusting yourself off and keep doing the next right thing. Having a strong-will to live and love. Keeping your heart and intentions pure so when you lay your head down at night, you can rest peacefully.     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.unleash.yoga
• Instagram: instagram.com/yogaunleash