Masterpiece Monday - Nick Cotto

I’m excited to feature my former neighbor, friend, and fellow Army Wife, Nick Cotto, for this month’s Masterpiece Monday! She is an inspiration in health and fitness and consistently gives all the glory to God!

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1) What special skills and abilities has God given you? How did you discover them? How are you using them to serve His creation?

Before I got married and moved to America I was a professional ballet dancer, so I was always aware of my body. After marriage and our first child it wasn’t long before I found myself in a step aerobics class. I thought I could teach this, its almost like dance. I set out finding everything I could about getting certified, then it was like an unquenchable thirst for more. I wanted to help people get fit, get healthy. It was a special kind of feeling from seeing people accomplish their goals that was unexplainable. I took to fitness like this is something I have always done. I passed every test, passed every practical exam, it was just a joy to teach and motivate people. I knew this was from God, but at that early stage I didn’t know how I would be used.

2) How do you ensure that you always give God the glory in your vocation?

My husband was military for almost 26 years, and prior to every move we prayed about where the Lord would send us, we never really waited on the military it was always God’s assignment. I had a vision very early in our marriage that one day I would have my own studio/gym/fitness empire. Everywhere we went we tried to make that vision happen but all the doors were closed, it took probably about 15 years for the vision to actually happen when we opened G23. We made sure that every Monday class at each time slot we prayed in class for everyone for the week. It wasn’t much but it was important to us to do. We didn’t know how it would be received and we really didn’t care, it was something we were very convicted about.

3) What MESSY struggles have you overcome along the way?

Oh so many doors closed to us, so many people saying no, so many moves with countless deployments. Just when you think it is going to happen, nope its not time. I will say though no matter how many times no was said, Rick and I continued to believe that God was always in the center of our lives and the plans He had for us, we just tried to stay obedient and faithful in the people we reached. We had running groups, we had online training camps, we had boot camps, you name it we had it all going on, all while Rick was full time military and I was a stay at home mom.

4) Do you have any special MEMORIES you call on when you need to boost your confidence?

The best memories for me come from athletes that we have trained and always find a way to come back in our lives and thank us for how we helped them. Self Image is a huge thing especially for women, so to take the negative images that are shown in magazines, the unattainable sizes, fashions etc, and show the beauty of just being what God created and being a healthy version of that, those are the best memories.

5) What is your definition of success in your area of expertise?

That every athlete accomplishes what they asked us for help with. That there is power in being strong.

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USAW National Coach

USAW Referee

Crossfit level 2, crossfit mobility, Crossfit Endurance coach

Nutrition and wellness coach

Head coach for Kill it Barbell club & Crossfit Round Rock barbell Club

Find Nick Here…

USAW_CoachNick (instagram)

Usaw Coach Nick (facebook)

Killitcrossfit.com

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Linking Up With

For more encouragement please join the discussions on these fabulous blog link ups – Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Grace and Truth, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Testimony Tuesday, Planting Roots, and Fresh Market Friday.