Meet Nicole Yamanaka! She’s the owner, manager and trainer and Le Physique Health and Fitness. Think you already know her? Read through this Q&A to see if anything surprises you.
Q: What’s your role in Le Physique and how long have you been working here?
A: I’m the typical entrepreneur: owner, manager, trainer and odd jobs; I do a little bit of everything. I took over Le Physique in 2006… Wow, I can’t believe it’s been eleven years already!
Q: What inspired you to do what you do?
A: When I was in University, I had a “gym job” as a receptionist. One day a member came up to me and thanked me for helping to create an environment that allowed her to feel welcomed and supported, such that she was motivated to work out. As a result of her willingness to attend and participate, she dropped weight, gained strength and confidence and completely turned her life around. She told me how happy she was and she was so excited about her new outlook on life. That moment inspired in me an intense passion to help people experience more happiness, joy and confidence through physical activity. I love what I do!
Q: What is your favourite thing about personal training and
working at Le Physique?
A: I love all the people I get to work with and being able to make a difference in their lives by helping them feel them more confident, healthier and happier. The physical results and changes are one aspect, but seeing the changes that a healthier and physically active lifestyle makes in how someone experiences or authors their life, is the best part.
Q: Outside of work, where can people most often find you?
A: Chapters. Or hiking.
Q: Favourite hobby?
A: Cooking, reading, cosplay and personal growth stuff of course.
Q: What’s your favourite muscle?
A: Sartorious
Q: What’s your favourite exercise?
A: Chin-ups (I can do 5 and working towards 10).
Q: What are three things people don’t know about you?
A: I have had blue hair since 1999. My motorcycle’s name is Sonic the Hedgehog. I have owned 5 hedgehogs.
Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A: Palaeontologist
Q: What’s your dream job?
A: Honestly it’s the next step in where I am now! I’d love to be able to oversee a training department and develop a training academy. I love coming up with curriculum for trainer growth and creating opportunities and events that help clients experience more of their capacity and have more fun. I really enjoy mentoring people (both clients and staff) to help them get where they want to be. I also think it would be great fun to take clients on vacations that combine aspects of health and fitness with things like touring vineyards in the countryside and experiencing local culture and cuisine!
Q: What’s your spirit animal?
A: The fox.
Q: Favourite TV show?
A: Star Trek: The Next Generation
Q: If you could be on any reality TV show what would it be?
A: Iron chef (original Japanese version)
Q: Celebrity crush?
A: Alton Brown, Bill Nye and Data from Star Trek.
Q: What’s your guilty pleasure?
A: Potato chips and listening to Evanescence.
