Meet Nicole Yessler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Yessler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
From the time I was a child, I’ve had a strong desire to make an impact on this world. Growing up as an athlete, artist, and lover of all things entertainment, I knew my calling would align with autonomy and consequently, independent work. I began my personal training career in 2013, learning the ropes and trying my best to perfect the art of exercise and physical health. As I perpetually engaged in the physical development of the body and mind, I simultaneously graduated Summa Cum Laude with Finance degree from Virginia Tech. This greatly enhanced my business knowledge which I knew would be beneficial down the road. While tackling a new skill, I maintained my infatuation with the arts by taking additional theatre classes throughout undergrad. Upon graduation, I took my talents to California to pursue a dream. Within a year of working my prestigious corporate job, I left to pursue personal training and the arts full time. While this was an absolute thrill, it concurrently was expectedly terrifying. Luckily, it seems to be working in my favor. I quickly gained a following in San Francisco, independently training all walks of life and enjoying every bit of the process. I then additionally began pursuing modeling and acting, and now have two powerhouse agencies representing me in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. I made the jump down to Los Angeles mid 2024 to continue chasing my dreams, and have been fortunate enough to grow my business and talents in a city with endless opportunity. All in all, it has been an enthralling ride, and I will continue to learn as much as possible, grow, and reach for my highest potential.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
First off, my work as an independent certified personal trainer & nutrition coach keeps me active and mentally stimulated throughout the week. I train clients one on one and teach group classes (HIIT, Strength, Boxing). This keeps me in an ultimately healthy state of mind, while allowing me to nurture others in their fitness & health journeys. I feel a genuine passion for this work and enjoy the diversity of my client base. I work with all types, from beginners to athletes, kids to seniors, & those with mental and physical disabilities. As for creative endeavors, I work in a few capacities. I take modeling, acting, & dancing gigs as they come, and have had the pleasure of working with some top tier clients & organizations. This work is definitely the definition of “fun” for me, and engages my expressive and creative sides in an unparalleled fashion. I feel that I portray a unique strength, poise, and representation of Yin & Yang, a dichotomy that has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Although it confused me in my younger years, I have honed in on this over time as an integral part of who I am, spiritually, identifiably, and as a brand. I wouldn’t want to be anything or anyone else. I hope to inspire young women who may not understand where they fit in, and who may be struggling with their identity, whether that be artistically, romantically, or as a whole. Lastly, I have been a painter and sketcher from a young age, which puts me into a unique state of flux, allowing me to express myself in a peaceful and colorful way. I write poetry, most of which I keep to myself as a healing mechanism, and it often gives me a nice healthy cry to get through tough or complex experiences. My journey has been a roller coaster ride of self work, internal deep-dives, and genuine thought into how I want to make a mark on this world. I greatly look forward to expanding this creative journey & having a blast on the way. All in all, my work is expansive, keeps me on my toes, and engages my mind, spirit, and body. I will always be thankful for that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, this is a tough one. I’d say first off, let’s go on an epic hike in Griffith Park if it’s a nice day. Then, get food/trot around the East Side, particularly Los Feliz or Echo Park. If we’re grabbing something quick, it’s Home State for some epic tacos. Then I’d take them absolutely to the Comedy Store on Sunset to see a show. We would have to take a trip to Malibu and chill on the beach, and hit up ANY location of Sugar Fish in the city, because their sushi is unmatched. I would take them to the Art’s District for some cute galleries, and probably have to go to Barney’s Beanery as a classic stop. Of course we’d have to stop by Santa Monica and Venice for the sake of seeing iconic spots, and finally, see an independent film or two at the Laemmle Theatre.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely. Honestly, the person who deserves the absolute most credit in my journey is none other than my beautiful Mother, Jennifer Brining. I’m very fortunate to, despite living across the country, have an endlessly supportive mother who expresses her belief in me every step of the way, throughout all of my endeavors. She is consistently by my side throughout the trials, tribulations, and successes I’ve experienced. She is undoubtedly, my rock. Additionally, I could not be where I am today without the help of too many incredible individuals to count, but I will name a few. Matt Finnerty, my first mentor and life coach, taught me everything I know about weightlifting, autonomy, and how to be a strong & successful business woman. My father, Wayne Yessler, reminds me of my talents as if they are a given, and always brings me down to earth when struggles seem overwhelming. There are so many more to include, but these three stand out as the most paramount contributors to where I am today.

Website: https://Www.nicoleyessler.com

Instagram: @nicoleyessler

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-yessler-b39317102

Yelp: https://yelp.to/Nyz589J2LL

Image Credits
Sarah Orbanic, Brian Lowe, Zach Doleac, Alan Gonzalez Jr., Christopher Kenji