Rockford Athlete Competing at Arnold Classic

Jackie Nicholls is a preschool teacher at Nashhold in Rockford, and can totally bench more than you.

The Arnold Classic Sports Festival is this weekend in Columbus, Ohio. The Arnold features the greatest athletes from around the country, from all different walks of life. By the way, yes THAT Arnold...Get in the choppa!!

Rockford will be represented by a few different bodybuilding athletes at The Arnold Classic Sports Festival. I wanted to focus on one athlete and friend of mine, Jackie Nicholls. Her passion and her drive to be the best at all that she does is inspirational. She will represent Rockford to the best of her abilities this weekend. Here is a piece of Jackie's amazing story, in her words:

My bodybuilding career started due to three ACL surgeries that happened in a year in college. I gained the most weight I have ever gained and was at my heaviest 185lbs. My friend Rob Wilhelmi noticed that I lost all the weight on my own and asked me if I ever thought of competing. My initial response was hell no I don't want to look like a dude. But he told me to do my research and sure enough I fell in love with the figure division. Rob was my first coach and trainer and I competed in 2009 at the Kevin Nobel and did the May/November shows. Then that's when I met my now coach Niki D'Angelo. Niki and I have been a team ever since. She has helped prep me for my last four shows and including the Arnold Amateur. Then I also met my trainer from Peak Sports Club Nick Dal Pra for my last two shows. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate these two because without them I wouldn't have accomplished my goals so far. I always say the best thing to do is invest time and money in your health because your life will thank you for it. Sacrifices need to be made but it's all worth it in the end.

  This sport is my second passion in life. My first passion is being a preschool teacher for Rockford at Nashold School. But I love pushing myself, inspiring others to lead a healthy lifestyle and just helping others achieve their goals.

I look forward to having Jackie in studio soon to discuss what went down this weekend. Very proud of you Jackie, good luck! P.S...I will have pizza when you come visit!