Athlete Nikki has been a member for nearly two and a half years and has hit an incredible 49 personal records in that time. If that number surprises you, consider where she started — after 10 years at a big-box gym with zero strength gains, Nikki walked into CrossFit Lincoln and turned everything around. In just her first year alone, she hit 17 PRs in strength and mastered a whole list of new movements she’d never attempted before.
What makes Nikki’s progress so impressive isn’t just the numbers — it’s the mindset behind them. She shows up for the community, whether that’s the Open, Murph, pickleball, or anything else we throw her way. And on the days she can’t make it to class because of work? She doesn’t skip — she gets the work done on her own at the fire station. That kind of buy-in is rare, and it’s exactly why she keeps improving. Consistency isn’t just something Nikki talks about; it’s something she lives.
We are so excited to celebrate Nikki as our Athlete of the Month. She is proof that stepping out of your comfort zone, trusting the process, and showing up — for yourself and for your community — is the key to real, lasting growth. Congratulations, Nikki, you’ve absolutely earned this!
Nikki is a firefighter based out of Malcolm, NE, and when she’s not on the job, you’ll likely find her outdoors. She loves camping, hiking, anything in or on the water, and jumping on any opportunity to travel the world. At home, she shares her life with Hurley — the goodest girl — who we can only assume also loves adventure.
What first brought you to CrossFit as an athlete, and what keeps you coming back?
A friend brought me through the doors, and I stayed because I love a new challenge — and somewhere along the way, I just fell in love with it.
What accomplishment in the gym are you most proud of so far?
I’m most proud of seeing improvement in nearly every movement, even if just a little. I was never able to do a rope climb before — and now I can. That one means a lot.
What is your favorite movement or workout — and your least favorite?
My favorite is probably deadlifts (isn’t that everyone’s?) — and cleans. Cleans were incredibly hard for me to learn, but that’s exactly why they’ve become one of my favorites. As for least favorite? The snatch. Hard to believe, I know.
How has CrossFit impacted your life outside the gym — health, work, family, mindset?
CrossFit has improved my life in so many ways. I’ve never been this consistent or this excited to get into the gym every day. I look forward to seeing my nooner friends on my days off, and I love that I can follow the programming at work. Being in good shape has never mattered more — it directly affects how I perform on the job. But beyond the physical side, the gym gives me an hour to completely reset mentally. It’s my time to shut off my brain, leave the stress at the door, put on some music, and just be in the moment. That absolutely sets my mood for the rest of the day.
What advice would you give to someone who is brand new to CrossFit?
Be patient and have fun. Some of these movements I had never even attempted before. It takes repetition, time, and a lot of good cues from the coaches before things start clicking — but when they do, every bit of work you put in will be worth it.
Last month’s athlete of the month blog