Nichelle Laus is a certified personal trainer, fitness model, kickboxing instructor, and former police officer, but her most important role is mom.
“I have mastered the art of multitasking! Family is always first,” says Laus.
As a transformation specialist, she has successfully transformed over one hundred women, and also worked as the fitness consultant/trainer for the Edmonton Oilers Octane Cheerleaders.
She has graced the cover of Health and Fitness, Muscle Memory magazine and has also appeared in television commercials for Nike.
Two years ago, Laus resigned from her 15-year career as a police officer to pursue her love of health and fitness. What motivates her about fitness is the journey that it takes to get to the end result.
If you’re considering a change in careers or jobs, she says, you need to make sure you are making the decision for the right reason.
“If you decide to jump, just do it. You will find your wings along the way because there is no other way,” she says.
In Laus’ case, she became a fitness expert because she wanted to help people achieve happier and healthier lifestyles.
“I learned that you really can do anything you put your mind to. You have to hustle, and make it happen because no one is going to do it for you,” she says.
Laus owns Optimum Training Centre, a 6,000-square foot personal training facility in Toronto, Canada, and she understands that the key to success is being flexible so you can balance it all.
Her routine includes early morning workouts while her husband is home with the kids. She starts her workouts at 5am so that she can get back home as her four boys are waking up for the day.
“I try to make myself as available as possible (within reason), and then rearrange priorities as needed,” she tells HER Magazine. “I will use car rides to make phone calls, check emails while doing cardio, and work on my online clients’ programs while I am waiting for my kids at their activities.”
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How Fitness Became Her Outlet
Health and fitness has helped Laus overcome struggles she faced growing up. When she was 14 years old she broke her silence about being sexually abused, something she had endured for seven years.
“It was an extremely traumatic and emotional time for the next couple of years. I experienced a lot of emotions (anger, sadness, guilt, hatred, etc.) and needed an outlet to channel those emotions properly,” she says.
She turned to kickboxing where she channeled anger and negativity into something positive. The sport allowed her to step into a world where there was no bias, no judgment, and no hurt.
“It protected me by teaching me to not only be physically strong, but emotionally too. The gym walls became my sanctuary, my safe place. I was able to protect my inner self, as well as learn self-defense.”
This year, Laus will be starting intense training for a competitive fitness show in June, and she hopes to qualify for National and International shows. She began competing in figure and bikini competitions in 2005, but has trained and competed at an amateur level in both boxing and kickboxing for over 18 years.
Laus is dedicated to clean eating, training and motivating other women. She shares her tips on maintaining a healthy diet and how to balance workouts into your busy schedule on her blog, Instagram and YouTube channel.
“I love to pay forward all that I have learned to others so that if they are hurting, or going through a rough time, I can help them,” she says.
