Nicola Gilbert is a multifaceted and talented entrepreneur.

Nicola Gilbert doesn’t let running her own tanning business, working as a dental nurse, and taking care of her child stop her from getting to the gym.

The 42-year-old woman took a 5-year hiatus from the stage due to a hernia operation and founding her business, but she returned to competition over the summer with the intent of competing again.

Nicola’s entrepreneurial spirit still took her to the competitions during the hiatus.

She told LeicesterMercury, “I go to competitions with my mobile tanning business at the weekends and so people know and trust me. I wasn’t sure it would take off, but it did and now I’m ready to step back into the arena and compete.”

Nicola placed fourth at a local competition in Oakham during August and second in a competition in Manchester just a week later.

She recently competed in an international competition in Germany and though she didn’t place in her division:

“There were 400 women there and it was a great experience. I loved it.”

Nicola has an intense training schedule for a woman her age. She starts each day with cardio at 5.30am, then takes her 13-year-old son to school and sets off for her job at the dentist.

Nicola says at this stage of her life and training heavy isn’t a strong priority. She focuses on quality volume with lighter weights.

“I don’t lift really heavy weights, at the gym but what I do is a fair amount of repetition.”

She also says that a whole foods diet is just as important.

She eats plenty of lean meat, steamed vegetables, and avoids large amounts on carbohydrates, especially closer to a competition.

She favors high fat healthy foods like avocado and nuts, while avoiding saturated fats.
Nicola also abstains from alcohol.

“I can have just as good a night out with my friends and frequently do, without drinking. I’ve got a lot of energy for my age where some might not otherwise have it.”

She has a great family support system. Her husband Kenny keeps himself physically fit and both are determined to pass on healthy living to their son.

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