We were lucky to catch up with Ty Nichols recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ty , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I was obese – 497 pounds to be exact. For years, I’d promise my doctor I’d lose weight, but nothing changed. Then, during one visit, he took a different approach. He explained that my organs were under extreme stress, and by the time I felt it, it might be too late. His words terrified me.
“When you control your habits, you control your life,” he said. Those words sparked a change. I dove into books on habit formation and started implementing what I learned. The results were astonishing – I lost over 200 pounds in just a few years.
Motivated by my transformation, I became a Tiny Habits certified coach, with BJ Fogg as my mentor. Now, I share these life-changing lessons with others. I’ve spoken to diverse organizations about habit formation and behavior design – from the DOJ and FBI labs to high schools and health services.
My journey from obesity to health coach taught me that changing habits can revolutionize not just health, but all aspects of life – communication, productivity, leadership, and relationships. I’m living proof that small changes can lead to big results.

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.

Introduction: Ty Nichols is a renowned motivational speaker, coach, and expert in habit formation and behavior design. With a background in mass communications and extensive experience in leadership roles, Ty has received multiple awards for his work. He is the founder of The Habit Strategist, a platform dedicated to empowering leaders through science-based behavior design.

Journey into the Industry: Ty’s journey into the field of habit formation and behavior design was inspired by his personal experiences and the mentors who guided him. He began his career as a call center representative and quickly climbed the corporate ladder, leading teams at Fortune 500 companies like Comcast, Target, and Carmax. His passion for helping others establish life-changing habits led him to become a Tiny Habits® Certified Coach and a Diamond-level Sales Professional for Cintas.

Products and Services: The Habit Strategist offers a range of services designed to help individuals and organizations achieve their goals through intentional living and healthy habits. These include:

Keynote Speeches: Engaging and insightful talks on habit formation, behavior design, and personal development.
Workshops and Seminars: Interactive sessions that provide practical tools and strategies for habit change.
Coaching Programs: Personalized coaching to help clients develop and maintain effective habits.
Online Content: Educational videos, blog posts, and other resources available on the website and YouTube channel.
Problems Solved: Ty helps clients overcome challenges related to personal and professional growth by teaching them how to adopt and maintain positive habits. His methods are designed to improve performance, establish unified teams, and promote overall well-being.

Unique Selling Points: What sets Ty apart from others in the field is his personal success story and his scientific approach to habit formation. Having lost over 200 pounds himself, Ty is a living testament to the power of behavior design. His ability to connect with large audiences and provide actionable insights makes him a sought-after speaker and coach.

Proudest Achievements: Ty is most proud of the positive impact he has had on his clients’ lives. Whether it’s helping someone achieve their dream body, improve their professional performance, or simply live a more fulfilling life, Ty’s work has transformed countless lives.

Key Messages for Potential Clients:

Empowerment Through Habits: Ty believes that when you control your habits, you control the life you want to live.
Science-Based Approach: His methods are grounded in the latest research in behavior design and habit formation.
Personal Connection: Ty’s personal journey and his ability to connect with his audience make his teachings relatable and inspiring.
Comprehensive Support: From keynote speeches to personalized coaching, The Habit Strategist offers a wide range of services to meet diverse needs.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Let me share how I built my audience on social media and offer advice for those just starting out.
The first step in my journey was introspection. I combed through my life experiences, both professional and personal. I realized there’s a crucial difference between talent and skill. Skills are teachable, so I focused on identifying what I’d learned and mastered over time.
Once I had a clear picture of my skillset, I asked myself: “What problem can I solve in the marketplace?” More importantly, “Who do I solve that problem for?” This could be anything from helping students develop better study habits or cope with cyberbullying, to supporting mothers overcoming postpartum depression, or guiding C-suite executives in creating a vision for their company.
The cornerstone of building a social media presence is identifying the problem you solve and who you solve it for. This became my niche.
With my niche defined, I developed a content strategy. Each piece of content I created followed a structure:

Hook: Something to grab the audience’s attention
Problem statement: Clearly defining the issue
Solution: My unique approach to solving it
Call to action: Engaging the audience to take the next step

I then researched my niche thoroughly, identifying keywords, hashtags, and relevant topics for my target audience. The key was to focus not on what I wanted to say, but on what my audience wanted to hear.
Consistency was crucial. I committed to posting regularly, even when it felt like no one was watching. I engaged with my audience, responding to comments and messages, which helped build a community around my content.
I also leveraged the unique features of each platform. For instance, I used Instagram’s Stories for behind-the-scenes content, Twitter for quick tips, and YouTube for in-depth tutorials.
Collaboration was another powerful tool. I reached out to others in my niche for joint lives, guest posts, or cross-promotion. This helped expand my reach and bring fresh perspectives to my audience.
Analytics played a big role in refining my strategy. I regularly reviewed my metrics to understand what content resonated most with my audience and adjusted accordingly.
Remember, building a social media presence takes time. It’s not about overnight success, but consistent effort and genuine connection with your audience. Stay authentic, provide value, and be patient. Your tribe will find you.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to pivot. As you grow and learn, your niche might evolve. Stay open to new opportunities and directions your audience might lead you towards

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I spent 16 years at Target, climbing the corporate ladder. I started as an overnight truck unloader, and eventually found myself running my own store in Ellicott City, Maryland. It was a $62 million operation with 225 team members, 12 team leaders, and 6 executives under my management.
But that wasn’t all. I wore multiple hats – regional trainer for new executives, mentor to interns, and a troubleshooter bouncing between stores to solve logistics and operations issues. I was driven, ambitious, always pushing for more.
What I didn’t realize was how consumed I’d become. I was routinely clocking over 90 hours a week. The wake-up call came one morning when I arrived home, still in my red and khaki uniform. My wife asked where I’d been. “At work,” I replied, thinking it was obvious.
“You haven’t been home since yesterday,” she said.
It hit me then – I’d worked 28 hours straight without even realizing it. I was missing holidays, birthdays, and countless moments with my family. All for a nameless, faceless company that would replace me within hours if I dropped dead.
That’s when it clicked. I was pouring my heart and soul into building someone else’s dream. I had developed valuable skills, gained extensive experience, and honed my talents. It was time to channel all that energy, effort, and expertise into my own business.
I realized I needed to work for myself, to build something that aligned with my values and allowed me to control my time. It was a pivotal moment – the day I decided to stop climbing the corporate ladder and start building my own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehabitstratgist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theHabitstrategist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ty.nichols.35
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tynicholsspeaks/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehabitstrategist