Nikki is Fierce with a capital F! I am lucky enough to workout alongside her in Core Rhythm Fitness and talk about motivation + inspiration... she's a force on stage and off. Nikki was on the panel of speakers at the recent FFB #HickiesFit Event with CRF, "The Artist's Shred" and she emphasized how fitness and food effect how you show up as a performer and in life--  yes, and YES! (as famously said in CRF). This bumblebee is Fit for Broadway.

NOTE FROM NIKKI: I’m a first generation American from NJ still trying to figure it all out. I've had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows pursuing my dreams. I'm the luckiest and I know it and I don't have any idea whats next but I'm sure it won't be boring.

INTERVIEW:

Q: What was your journey to Broadway? Where did it all start for you?

A: My journey to Broadway started at five years old. That was a big year for. I sang in front of people for the first time at my Kindergarten graduation, Whitney Houston's Greatest Love of All, and I also saw my first Broadway show. CATS! I think that was the year I fell in love with the theater and with performing! It was all down (or up) hill from there. I grew up close to the city and my parents would take me to see as many shows as they could manage. I had every cast album in existence and watched every movie musical there was to see. My Fair Lady being a favorite. By the time I was 13, I had been performing in local and school musicals and in all the choirs and as a leader of song for 1st Friday masses at my Catholic School. I wanted to be a real actor so I convinced my parents to let me "audition" for things in NYC and I got an agent. I became a card carrying member of SAG and AEA at the age of 14. I then went of the NYU: Tisch and made my Broadway debut in the ensemble of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer while still in college.

Q: How has your journey of fitness and health changed with your performance journey?

A: I’ve always been someone who pushed myself and I can be known to be a bit competitive, both with myself and with others. I really started to love fitness while living out of town doing a show. I had a lot of time on my hands in the small town and I was far away from my family. I found an outlet in yoga and running. I love how physical fitness can both help your body prepare for the work on the stage and give your mind a break. Its hard to worry about high notes when you're sprinting at 12.5 miles an hour or working hard on your triangle pose.

Q: What keeps you motivated to workout and stay healthy?

A: Its hard to stay motivated all the time. I find that I like to be in group environments. I love classes, all kinds. I can be competitive, and it is really hard to quit on yourself when you see other people working hard around you. Also, my quality of life is just better when I am focused on my fitness and health. Yeah sure, the physical results are great. I like having strong muscles as much as the next person. But my mood is better, my sleep is better and my mind is more at ease when I stay on my routine.

Q: We’re frequently working out together with Core Rhythm Fitness who take it to a completely new level with a mind, body, spirit approach. How do mind and spirit play a role in fitness for you?

A: It can be easy to forget how connected our mind, body and spirit are. In this world people can be so obsessed with how they look but less concerned with how they feel. CRF is a great reminded that taking care of yourself and being HEALTHY doesn't just mean you can fit your skinniest jeans. When you take time to be in touch and SLOW down you can hear the things your body is telling you it needs. When you listen to your body and your mind and your spirit all at once you'll be surprised at the results you will notice. It all goes hand in hand. I love CRF for reminding me of that.

Q: What’s your go-to energy boosting snack or meal?

A: SMARTIES! I mean I DO love smarties, but I usually try to grab a bit of almond butter on an apple or on a piece of sprouted grain bread.

Q: What’s the best piece of performance advice someone's ever given you?

A: Usually say yes, but know when to say no.

Q: Top 3 health & fitness tips for performers.

1. Do it for you and for no one else.

2. Find the thing that makes you happy and do that not what the newest trends are.

3. Rest when you need to.

Q: Vocal health tips?

A: Hydrate and shut up every once in a while!

Q: What’s your advice for aspiring performers who are working towards a career on Broadway?

A: Broadway is an amazing community of people who all work hard and it so rewarding but being on BROADWAY shouldn't be your only goal. Be the best performer you can be wherever and whenever you can. I'm just as proud of the shows I did in community theater as I am of The Book of Mormon.

CONNECT

Twitter: @nikkimjames  |  Instagram: @nikkimjames  |  nikkimjames.com