Nickie
Several years ago, after an invite from my beloved cousin Jenna, I entered The Zone. It sounds rather intense, and if I’m being honest, my first few visits were exactly that, intense. Sixty minutes of lifting (while singing cuz you couldn’t help yourself with the playlists the coaches were blaring) was one thing, but watching a woman to your right throw around some massive weights was next level a lot. It was intimidating; she was intimidating (She’d laugh at me and roll her eyes when I told her about my first impressions.). She was Nickie, a most wonderful mentor, workout partner, coach, and friend, someone I had to say goodbye to all too soon. The Zone became a second home for me; and Nickie, Sue, Dina, Becki and others became part of my tribe. We were Team Unicorn, Team Thursday Nights with Nickie; we were more than just people who worked out together, more than gym friends. We were a little family. We supported and encouraged each other; we carved our time for each other - we spe