Nikki Ortiz

Growing up, I was that kid who was always trying to find the perfect balance between loving food and loving sports — let’s just say it’s been a lifelong balancing act! I spent my childhood bouncing between basketball courts, swim lanes, and taekwondo mats (eventually earning my black belt, which still sounds cooler than it looks when I trip over my gym bag). I played competitive volleyball from 9 years old until I was 18 traveling across the country before I joined the military.

Over time, I’ve learned that the real victory isn’t in the scoreboard or the time you finish a WOD — it’s in showing up for yourself, especially on the days when motivation hits snooze. I’ve morphed into the coach I am today by embracing my own journey, learning not to compare my chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20, and celebrating every small win along the way.

For most of my life, my biggest opponent wasn’t a career, a person or a bad haircut — it was me. My unhealthy habits and momentary joys of food slowly became the enemy that weighed down every part of my life. I couldn’t put my shoes on without sitting down. I felt depressed, embarrassed, and completely stuck in a cycle I didn’t know how to break.

In August of 2023, I decided to flip the script. With my SPCF family, i was able to surround myself with a community that believed in me before I believed in myself, and I started putting in the work — one rep, one meal, one day at a time. Along with my husband cheering me on every step of the way, I’ve lost over 100 pounds and gained a whole new outlook on what strength really means.

My journey taught me that the real PR isn’t the number on the barbell — it’s proving to yourself that you can change your life when you stop letting the old version of you call the shots and seeing the “I can’t do that movement yet” workouts as an opportunity to grow mentally, physically and emotionally.

My purpose in coaching is simple — to help people show up for themselves. There’s nothing better than watching someone realize they’re capable of more than they thought — like pushing for that extra 100 meters when they’re used to stopping short. Those small moments of grit are where the magic happens.

I’m especially passionate about coaching the scaled athlete — the ones who come in eager to learn, grow, and put in the work. I’ve been there, and I know how powerful it feels when something finally clicks.

My motivation is to always improve — as a coach, an athlete, and a human. Progress doesn’t stop at the whiteboard; it’s a daily commitment to be just a little bit better than yesterday.