Nikkiey Stott of WarriorBabe: Why Extreme Diets And Overtraining Lead To Burnout Instead Of Lasting Health

Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Nikkiey Stott.

As a former bodybuilder, Nikkiey Stott, dedicated her early years to extreme fitness and nutrition routines, achieving remarkable physical results. Transitioning from this intensity, she now embraces a balanced approach to health, maintaining an impressive physique through sustainable eating and exercise habits. Nikkiey’s journey reflects a deep understanding of both the rigors of competitive fitness and the importance of long-term wellness.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?

In my early 20s, during 2010 to 2014, I was really struggling. I wanted to be fit and healthy but didn’t know where to start, and I hated how I looked. I always hid in baggy clothes and never wore shorts because I was so self-conscious about my legs. I tried various diets and hit the gym sporadically, but I couldn’t keep anything consistent or give it enough time to see results.

In 2015, I made a New Year’s resolution to transform my body and boost my confidence. Unlike other years, I was determined to follow through because I was fed up with feeling bad about myself. It was challenging at first; I was overwhelmed by different methods and advice from the internet. But I kept at it, googling protein-rich foods and starting to eat better, though I still had a sweet tooth. The real change happened when I stumbled upon Instagram posts of bodybuilding competitors. Their physiques inspired me, and I started dreaming about achieving a similar body. One day, the gym manager asked if I was training for a bikini competition. That conversation led me to hire a coach, and I dedicated myself fully to his plan, balancing intense training with my nursing studies, caring for my sick grandmother, and working part-time in a hospital. After months of hard work, I won my first competition and even turned pro. This victory ignited a passion in me to understand more about strength training and nutrition. But the high was short-lived. After achieving my goal, I lacked direction and quickly gained weight, feeling worse than before. I decided to compete again, and this time, I won pro status with a larger federation. But again, I fell into a cycle of weight gain and loss. It wasn’t until I competed in 2018 and won at a major pro show that I realized I needed a sustainable approach to fitness. From then on, I applied what I learned in a more balanced and realistic way. I’ve maintained my results and even improved upon them since 2018. This journey led me to create WarriorBabe. I knew if I could transform my body and life, I could help other women do the same. We’ve since transformed the lives of over 10,000 women, helping them build muscle, lose body fat, and gain confidence, regardless of age or body type. And I believe you could be next.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

Since starting my career in fitness, one of the most interesting and pivotal experiences occurred when I ended up in the hospital twice before my professional debut. This alarming situation was a wake-up call, highlighting the risks of pushing my body to extremes through rigorous exercise and strict dieting. It opened my eyes to the importance of balance and moderation in my fitness and nutritional approach, underscoring the need to prioritize my overall health and longevity over short-term achievements. This experience taught me the critical lesson that while dedication and discipline are essential, they should never compromise one’s health and well-being.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Reflecting on my journey, a significant mistake I made in the early stages of my career was adhering too rigidly to extreme diet and exercise routines in preparation for bodybuilding competitions. This approach, while initially seeming effective, led to two hospitalizations before my professional debut, a clear indication that I had pushed my body beyond its limits. The lesson I learned from this was profound: the importance of listening to and respecting my body. It became clear that extreme measures might bring short-term results, but they are not sustainable and can be detrimental to long-term health. This experience was a turning point, guiding me to adopt a more balanced and holistic approach to health and fitness, which eventually led to the creation of WarriorBabe. I realized that sustainability in health is not just about physical endurance but also about maintaining a healthy relationship with food and exercise. This understanding has been central to my philosophy ever since, emphasizing a balanced approach that prioritizes overall well-being over immediate results. It taught me that true strength lies not just in physical capabilities but also in the resilience and balance of one’s entire lifestyle.

Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

The work I am doing with WarriorBabe is significantly contributing to a larger impact in the world of health and wellness in several key ways:

• Empowering Women: WarriorBabe is centered around empowering women to take control of their fitness and nutrition. By focusing on women, who often face unique challenges in the fitness world, the program helps to bridge gaps in a field that has been traditionally male-dominated.
• Education and Awareness: The program places a strong emphasis on educating its members about nutrition and fitness. By providing this knowledge, WarriorBabe enables individuals to make informed decisions about their health, leading to long-term, sustainable changes in their lifestyle.
• Personalization: Understanding that every individual is different, WarriorBabe tailors its approach to meet the unique needs of each member. This personalization ensures that more people can effectively reach their health and fitness goals.
• Building a Supportive Community: WarriorBabe creates a supportive community where members can share experiences, challenges, and triumphs. This sense of community is crucial for long-term success in health and wellness, as it provides motivation, support, and accountability.
• Promoting Holistic Health: The program doesn’t just focus on physical fitness; it also emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional well-being. By addressing the whole person, WarriorBabe helps individuals achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.
• Inspiring Change Beyond the Program: The success stories and transformations within the WarriorBabe community serve as inspiration to others. This ripple effect can motivate more people to embark on their wellness journeys, thereby expanding the impact of the program.

By addressing these areas, WarriorBabe is not just helping individuals improve their own health and well-being; it’s also contributing to a broader cultural shift towards more informed, empowered, and holistic approaches to health and fitness.

Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?

1 . Find Your Balance in Diet and Exercise:

In my bodybuilding days, I pushed the limits with diet and exercise, but ending up in the hospital twice before my pro debut was a harsh reminder of the need for balance. I learned that while discipline is important, it’s equally crucial to find a sustainable approach. Now, I focus on a balanced diet and a varied workout routine that maintains my health and fitness without extreme measures.

2 . Listen to Your Body and Adjust Accordingly:

During my intense training, I often ignored my body’s signals, which led to overtraining and eventually to serious health concerns. This experience taught me the importance of listening to my body. Now, if I feel fatigued or in pain, I don’t hesitate to rest or adjust my training. This attentiveness to my body’s needs is a cornerstone of my current fitness philosophy.

3 . Prioritize Recovery and Self-Care:

The demanding schedule of bodybuilding competitions left little room for proper rest and recovery. However, my hospitalizations were a stark reminder of the importance of recovery. I’ve since incorporated adequate sleep, relaxation, and even mindfulness practices into my routine, which has been transformative for my overall health.

4 . Educate Yourself on Nutrition and Fitness:

Transitioning from a bodybuilding-focused lifestyle required me to re-educate myself about broader aspects of nutrition and fitness. I delved into learning about sustainable health practices, moving beyond the narrow focus of competitive bodybuilding. This journey of education has been crucial in shaping my current balanced lifestyle.

5 . Set Realistic and Personal Goals:

In bodybuilding, my goals were primarily centered around achieving a certain look for competitions. However, after stepping back, I began setting goals that were more personal and realistic, focusing on overall health and wellness, not just appearance. This shift in goal-setting has been a key factor in maintaining my long-term health and well-being.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

If I could start a movement to bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, it would be an extension and evolution of the principles I’ve established with WarriorBabe. This movement would be focused on empowering individuals, especially women, to achieve a balanced and sustainable approach to health and fitness. The core elements of this movement would include:

• Education First: Making nutrition and fitness education accessible to everyone. This means breaking down complex scientific concepts into understandable, actionable steps that people can apply in their daily lives.
• Personalized Wellness: Recognizing that each person’s body, lifestyle, and goals are unique. The movement would encourage personalized wellness plans rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, promoting an approach that respects individual differences and needs.
• Mental and Emotional Well-being: Integrating mental and emotional health into the concept of overall wellness. This includes promoting practices like mindfulness, stress management, and the development of a positive body image.
• Community Support: Building a supportive and inclusive community. Much like WarriorBabe, this movement would foster a sense of belonging and support, where individuals can share experiences, challenges, and successes.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?

• The Importance of Balance in Fitness and Diet: Before embarking on my intense bodybuilding journey, I wish I had understood the value of balance in both fitness and nutrition. The extremes I experienced in preparation for competitions, which eventually led to hospital visits, taught me that sustainability is key to long-term health and success.
• Listening to Your Body is Crucial: I wish someone had emphasized the importance of listening to my body’s signals. The demands of bodybuilding often led me to ignore signs of fatigue and stress, which could have prevented the health issues I faced. Understanding and respecting my body’s limits is something I learned the hard way.
• Mental Health is as Important as Physical Health: In the pursuit of physical perfection, the mental and emotional aspects of health can be overlooked. I wish I had known how crucial it is to maintain mental well-being, manage stress, and develop a positive body image alongside physical training.
• Education and Knowledge are Power: I started with a very focused view of fitness and nutrition specific to bodybuilding. I wish I had been told to broaden my learning earlier, to understand different aspects of health and fitness, which eventually became the foundation of WarriorBabe.
• The Power of a Supportive Community: Early in my career, I underestimated the importance of having a supportive community. The journey can be lonely and challenging, and having a network of like-minded individuals for support, advice, and motivation is incredibly valuable.

Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?

The cause that is dearest to me is sustainability. Sustainability, when applied to health, fitness, and mindset, is about adopting long-term, manageable practices that support overall well-being. It means moving away from extreme diets or workout regimes and embracing a balanced approach to nutrition and exercise that nourishes the body and can be maintained consistently over time. Equally important is sustaining a healthy mindset, which includes fostering positive self-image, stress management, and mental resilience. This holistic view of sustainability in health and fitness ensures not just physical strength and endurance, but also promotes mental and emotional health, leading to a more fulfilling and enduring lifestyle transformation.

What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?

For readers interested in following my work and learning more about a balanced approach to health and fitness, you can explore several online platforms:

Website: Visit WarriorBabe.com for comprehensive information about our programs, philosophy, and resources that focus on sustainable health and fitness practices.

Instagram: Follow me on Instagram @nikkieystott for regular updates, insights, motivational content, and a behind-the-scenes look at my approach to health and wellness.

Podcast: Tune into “The Macro Hour” podcast, where I delve deeper into topics around health, fitness, nutrition, and mindset. The podcast offers valuable discussions and tips for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

These platforms provide a variety of resources and insights to help you on your journey to better health and wellness, aligned with the principles of sustainability and balance that I advocate through WarriorBabe.

Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.

About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.