Nikki Claus

Connect What fuels your passion for health and fitness?

My father was my initial inspiration, I just remember being in awe at a young age of how big his muscles were and how hard he worked. My father built an exercise room in the two houses we lived in, so I kind of dabbled around with his old school weights and machines and eventually joined my first Gold's Gym when I was 16yo, and I haven't stopped since. Health and fitness is about transition, modification, persistence and knowing who you want to be and how to achieve it. Our goals always change

What’s your favorite way to train or stay fit?

I train on many levels, from running, to weight training and all the things in between. During the spring through early fall, I do spend more time outdoors than in the gym. I love running across the different bridges from KY to OH and doing sprints up the boat ramp with my sandbag and running all the steps on the floodwall. In the gym, I am more focused on rotational training for strength and functionality, especially as I get older and will add in heavy weight training to keep my bones strong

What would you do with $20,000?

There are so many things that I could do, however; I have two adult sons, and they have never asked me for anything since they have been out on their own. My oldest son is about to be a father for the first time and my youngest just renewed his military contract and will be stationed back in the U.S. next month. I would want to give the majority to them, then I would put some aside for my grandchild's college fund and the rest I probably use to pay off some bills.