Meet Nikki DeLuca

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki DeLuca and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
My brand and success has been built on taking risks. I went to the University of Alabama where I majored in fashion merchandising and business. I started teaching group fitness classes and personal training as a freshman in college and did it for all 4 years. I was a senior when Covid arose and I never had the opportunity to say goodbye to my clients or regular participants. The first risk I took in my business was making a fitness instagram account in 2020. My clients begged me to make a platform so that they could still do my classes and workouts. I was afraid that people would make fun of me or judge me but the demand for the fitness account was so high. After starting the instagram, I moved back home to New York in 2020 and made a gym out of my tiny basement to train people. This is when I decided to forget my major in fashion and pursue a career in fitness. I took a risk and created my own website for online classes and taught up to 5 classes a day. The next risk I took was leaving my clients in NY and moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where I didn’t know anyone and planned to just “figure it out.” I started teaching classes in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and trained up to 8 clients a day. I ended up taking a risk in leaving a gym I taught classes at to really focus on my own brand. I knew it was time to leave the gym, but when you are relying on income, it is scary to let that go. I started promoting my pop-up workout events where I would get 4 people to come, mostly my friends who would just come to support me. This was a risk and a scary thing for me but I am glad I stuck with it and never got discouraged because now I have sold out events of 75 + people with multiple brand sponsorships. I also took risk in partnering with a company for my fitness app and now 2 years later, I am an online coach for several women and men all around the world. I continue to take risks with my business everyday, whether it be financial or not; I have realized that every risk I have taken, has turned into something great.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I think sets me apart from others is that I am true to myself and my brand; I have never changed for anyone who wants to work with me, I’ve never been less of who I am for a gym I’ve worked at, and I don’t fake who I am on social media. I post what I want to post and I am authentic, what you see is what you get. I am proud that I have an organic following because it means that my audience actually appreciates who I am.

I am where I am professionally by not caring what other people think and by taking risks. I have learned to be confident because confidence is power and you can’t get anywhere in life if you don’t believe in yourself. It is not easy to put yourself out there for the world to see or put yourself on a stage of over 100+ people, but it is apart of growing and evolving.

Despite people not believing in me in my past, I have learned that people’s disbelief is only a projection of how they feel about themselves and it has nothing to do with me. I have been told that I would get no where in my fitness career and that I could never make a living out of it. I have been told that by entitled people and even past employers who were intimidated when I was leaving their company to pursue my own brand. Too many people have tried to dim my light and I won’t let that happen.

What I want for someone who is reading this to take away is; if you have a fire within you and you feel as though you are meant for something great, stop making another persons business grow and become rich, go do that for yourself and for your own brand.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my friend was visiting me and I had to plan an itinerary for them, I would definitely have to add something that is active in the schedule. I would suggest a bike ride to the beach being that I am only a 15 minute bike ride away, a walk down Las Olas and Riverwalk, pickleball at Holiday Park, or rollerblading at Hugh-Birch Park. Breakfast is a must, being that it is my favorite meal of the day so I would probably take my friend to Cafe Bastille, Java & Jam, or Crema on Las Olas. I would want to spend the day laying at my apartment pool or at the beach and grabbing a coffee at Ann’s Florist or Archibald’s Village Bakery. For dinner I would take my friend to Loui Bossi, Moxie’s, or El Camino for good food and vibes. Afterwards I would get a drink at Moxies and then head over to my new favorite spot in town, The Shorely, where we can drink and dance.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My best friend Isabelle Wittebort has been my biggest support for the past year. She has come to every event to help me set up, she photographs my events, graphic designs my logos and merch, and is always there if I need her. She is also a client on my online program and promotes me any way she can. Her encouragement and belief in me has helped me get to where I am today. @moodyphotoandfilm

I would also like to thank my events coordinator, Tara DeLano, who now owns her own events company @taralynnevents. When I was struggling to manage my online program, in-person clients, events, teaching classes, and social media, I hired Tara to take over the operations of my events. She is amazing at what she does and has helped me in my growth.

Lastly, I would like to thank my videographer, Leo Mancusi-Ungaro, who is the best in the game! He captures all my energy in every video and makes viewers feel like they are there. His skill is exquisite and I am thankful for his 100% effort in every video he creates. @imcusi

Website: https://www.nikkidelucafitness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkidelucafitness/

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nikkidelucafitness?_t=8py2IM40SqZ&_r=1 Online Program: https://nikkidelucafit.com/

Image Credits
Isabelle Wittebort @moodyphotoandfilm Kayla Linero @eromedia.agency