Nichelle Laus Is Probably at the Gym Right Now
So, you went to the gym today. You lifted a few weights, ran on the treadmill for a few minutes. Feel good about yourself? Well, don’t. Because compared to Nichelle Laus, you’ve basically been Garfield on a Monday.
The certified personal trainer, motivational speaker, and fitness cover model spends her days running a business, working out, competing, consulting the Edmonton Oilers Octane Cheerleaders, and contributing to multiple outlets as a fitness expert. So, yeah, your 45 minutes of HIIT in the gym is probably what Laus does on a cheat day.
“I started kickboxing at a young age and had a coach who encouraged me to start competing,” says Laus. “Eventually when I stopped boxing, I knew I still wanted to train in something, so I started doing fitness competitions. I didn’t even mean to start coaching, people would just ask me to help them in the gym. Next thing you know, I have this monster online business and it’s so gratifying to me.”
Despite trading within an industry that centres on physical perfection, Laus draws on her background as a police officer (yeah, that’s on her resume too) to connect with her clients on a personal level.
“It’s not just about changing them physically,” says Laus. “Because now that they’re looking different and feeling better, they’re going through triumphs and struggles, equally. It’s all not just physical transformations, it’s mental and emotional ones, too.”
What is a talent that you wish you had?
Pole fitness. I’m really jealous of how those girls move, they have crazy core strength. It’s insane!
What is your worst habit?
I fidget. Or you know what drives my husband crazy? Nail biting or peeling my nails. So, now I just wear fake nails because I’ll break my teeth if I try to bite them off. That sounds gross, but I can’t bite them now. I leave my nails alone now, which is nice.
What would be a perfect day for you?
For my kids to behave all day. [Laughs.] I don’t know, that’s a hard question because I don’t have many bad days. I just kind of go with it and roll with the punches.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t sweat the small stuff, because in the end it doesn’t matter.
Who is your biggest hero?
That’s a hard question. I don’t want to say myself, but sometimes you have to be your own superhero. I mean that because I’ve been through a lot, but I come out ahead. I almost want to say my mom, but [whispers] my mom’s a little crazy. [Laughs.] Do I have to answer this question?
What’s the most memorable trip you’ve ever taken?
The weekend my husband and I got married. That has to be my favourite trip because we got engaged on the Friday in California, and married in Vegas on Sunday. Thirteen years later, we’re still married. That was the most memorable trip.
Who is your favourite fictional character?
Probably Batman. Because he’s just the shit. [Laughs.] Joker’s a little crazy and I don’t know any of the girls because I have a house full of boys, so I never get to watch the girls. I hate that, man. Plus Batman has the sexy voice, c’mon.
What is your most treasured possession?
This is going to sound so mom-like, but anything my boys make me. All the stuff they make at school, I keep everything they make me specifically. That’s so mom-ish.
Photography: Dave Laus
