Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself

...My name is Hov', oh, H to the O-V (cue Jay-Z).. No?

Hey, I'm Nicole Erica.

If you're new here, welcome! I know you can read a little bit about me in the "About" section of my website. But, I wanted to take this opportunity to share the side of me that isn't fitness and nutrition related (shocker). I know you aren't interested in an auto-biography or 10-page essay dedicated to how great I think I am and my origin story, so here is a Coles notes version, re-introducing or introducing myself to you, in a nutshell:

1. I am Filipino-Canadian and I am a proud product of immigration. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada.

2. I'm the oldest out of three sisters. I also have a massive family. I have more cousins, titas, titos, nieces and nephews than you can imagine. My family's loud but loving and I wouldn't trade them for anybody else.

3. I love learning, reading and writing (hence the blog, DUH!). I have an Honours, Bachelor of Arts (majored in English and Criminology) from the University of Toronto ("U of T"). I also obtained a Paralegal certificate from George Brown College.

4. Immediately after completing my undergraduate degree at U of T, I landed a job at an insurance company. My job was interesting and I was lucky to land a full-time job immediately after graduating. However, I knew where I was at the time wasn't what I wanted long term. I also waitressed part-time (where I met two of my best friends) and the idea of travelling popped up several times when chatting with friends and coworkers . Eventually, I eventually quit both of my jobs to travel the world for 3-months with one of my waitressing co-workers. I'm proud to say that my travel buddy became one of my best friends; we still reminisce about our epic trip on a yearly basis.

5. My guilty pleasures include pizza, Girlfriends (Netflix), the Challenge (MTV), and Jersey Shore (MTV). I know, I KNOWWW. But don't act like you don't love trashy tv! It's sort of like a car wreck, you know? You just can't look away!!!

6. My favourite podcast right now is Girls Gotta Eat.

7. I am a proud side-hustler. Did you know that being an Online Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach is not my full time gig (surprised?). As a side-hustler, you learn a lot of things and pick up new skills you never knew were handy. Do I know how to build my own website? Sure do. Do I do my own customer service? Yup. Do I manage my business finances? Yup. Do I manage my own schedule? Yup. Do I manage my own branding, and marketing, and stress? Yup, yup and....sort of.

I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into who I am because I'm excited to share more with you. And, I want to hear about you! Where are you from? What are your guilty pleasures? Are you also a side-hustling-one-womxn-show?

That's it from me for now.

Nicole Erica.