Meet Nicolette Ficchi | Reiki Master, Yoga Instructor + Meditation Teacher

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

Hi Nicolette, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting my own business came quite organically out of my own desires to heal and prioritize my well-being. For most of my life, I struggled with digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, anxiety and stress. After college, I moved to New York City to work at a fashion PR agency and live with friends…seemingly stepping into what was the “ideal life.” I reached a point around the age of 25 when I realized I was exhausted and struggling. I can even remember thinking to myself, “I am way too young to feel this way!” Physically my stomach issues were out of control, my energy levels were usually very low, my hair was falling out and the stress of it all was burning me out. A dear friend told me about an online health coach training through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and that was the start. Through this training, I began to learn how our health and well-being are much more than just the food we eat. I also met my meditation coach and began working with her, meditating daily. Having this newfound knowledge, along with getting still in meditation, everything in my life began to shift.
I started waking up to the harsh reality that the way I was living my life was affecting me on all levels: physically, mentally, emotionally, energetically, and spiritually. My first thought was that I needed a break from it all. I had always loved yoga, and the desire to sign up for a training came through strongly during my meditation sessions.
I registered for a one month yoga training in LA, thinking I would come home right after, but the Universe had a different plan (as usual). One thing led to another, Santa Monica started to feel more like home, and I began a deep dive into what I now know was my transformation. While continuing to learn all I could about various healing modalities, I was also discovering that I wanted to share them with the world. I completed 500hrs of yoga training, a 40-hour thyroid yoga training, a gut health course, 4 levels of Reiki trainings, and a breathwork course.
Looking back, it is so clear that each step I took was first and foremost for my own health and wellness – to help me feel the best I could feel, deepen my connection to myself, and learn how I can become my own healer. But each training, each move, each decision was also setting me up to create a multidimensional business, as well as providing me with the tools to help others heal.
I am now a Reiki Master Teacher, a Meditation Teacher and a Yoga Instructor. I do private reiki sessions, host online meditation classes, work with corporate companies, teach classes at two incredible studios in LA, lead reiki trainings…and it is honestly just the beginning. My goal is to help people let go of the stress, anxiety and overwhelm and come back to balance, peace and joy.
I know how it feels to be totally bogged down, burnt out, and completely disconnected from your body and self. But I also know we can’t run on empty forever. I hope to reach as many people as possible and show them that it doesn’t have to be that way. We can feel better, we can choose inner peace and we can LOVE our lives!

What should our readers know about your business?
I think what sets me apart is the fact that since I did experience the burn out from the hustle and grind culture firsthand, when people come to to me who are stressed, anxious and overwhelmed – trying to keep up with it all – I can actually say, “I understand.” What I am most proud about in terms of my business is my variety of offerings and ability to tailor my work to the individual. I am not just a reiki master, or just a yoga teacher or just a health coach. I am all of it – and more – and plan to always continue learning! I am able to offer a 360 approach by bringing various experiences and practices to my sessions and classes. I love working with clients one-on-one, focusing on their situation and whatever it is they need to heal. Maybe someone needs more breathwork, or someone else might need more movement…we are each unique and have different life situations and my work can always meet the client where they are at.
The challenge for me has always been to remember that I am always healing too. I am still on my own journey, and that is not only okay, but so magical. What I have come to discover is that a good healer is going to help you realize that the healing is within. You are your own best healer, guide and guru. I am just someone who is here to help you come back to that. When I work with clients and students, I imagine us walking hand in hand, neither one above or below the other. I am here to help them remember their power…to wake up to their light within.

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?
I am a west side girl through and through! When I moved from New York, my thought process was – well, if I am staying here, I am staying by the water. The beach is my happy place. So we would definitely hit the beach (especially to catch a sunset). I love a fun restaurant or good brunch spot; being plant based and gluten free, I love showing people all the yummy choices here in LA! We would do brunch at the Proper Rooftop in Santa Monica, Butchers Daughter on Abbot Kinney, or hit Great White for something more casual. Walking up and down Abbot Kinney is always fun and the Venice Canals are right there too. For dinner, I love Double Zero (best gluten free + vegan pizza!), Uovo (such good pasta, the gluten free is actually amazing), Wabi on Rose for a fun sushi spot, or Cassia (not fully plant based, but go for the chickpea curry app). I also love a good glass of wine – Esters is one of my favorite little wine bars, and Wally’s is a go-to for anyone who is ready to treat themselves. Other great spots on the west side that I love are Shutters (it’s a hotel but I love sitting on their deck and looking out at the water), Little Prince, Elephante, and Manchego. We would definitely go to Montana Street in Santa Monica – some amazing coffee places there like Bardonna, LA LA Land and Primo Passo. And my favorite little gluten free bakery and lunch spot is Breadblock!
We would also do a hike, probably Temescal Canyon Trail, hit a yoga class at ShefaYoga in Venice and if we’re up for it a meditation class! I would also 100% do a day in Malibu – go to the beach, eat at Malibu Farm Cafe and walk around the country mart.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom deserves a lot of the credit and recognition! From a young age, my mom exposed us to alternative healing modalities, yoga, breathwork and meditation. I can remember watching “yoga for kids” videos with my siblings, and having my mom guide me through visualization meditations with breathwork to help me cope with anxiety (of course at the time I had no idea that’s what it was). She and my dad also went totally raw at one point in the 90s, making green juices and wheatgrass shots every morning. My siblings and I hated how the kitchen would smell! When I got older, my mom took me to acupuncture when I had ovarian cysts, and brought me to my first integrative doctor after I had my thyroid removed to help manage my hormone levels. If it weren’t for my mom, I really would not have had the awareness that there is another way – that we can go out and seek information that feels more aligned with our truth. Both of my parents have been so supportive of my journey – of leaving behind corporate America to follow my dreams – a HUGE shoutout to mom and dad! Love you!

Website: https://www.nicoletteficchi.com/

Instagram: @nicoletteficchi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolette-ficchi-7b0ab845/

Facebook: Nicolette Ficchi

Image Credits
Justin Cook, Victoria Case