Life is full of unexpected twists, and it’s often through navigating the most challenging moments that we find our true path. Nicole Harrington’s story is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and transformation. From her early passion for swimming to battling depression, she used her life experiences to become a health and narrative coach, helping others find clarity and purpose.
Early Passion and the Struggles of Self-Worth
Nicole’s journey began in the water. Growing up in Marin County, she fell in love with swimming at a young age. By high school, she was on a competitive swim team, training for hours daily. Despite her dedication, she felt like she didn’t measure up. The intense pressure of competition left her doubting her abilities as a swimmer. However, Nicole found solace in water polo, where she excelled and rediscovered her confidence.
Swimming and water polo were family legacies for Nicole. Both her father and grandfather had been athletes in the water, so it wasn’t surprising that she gravitated toward aquatic sports. Despite this connection, the weight of self-doubt during her formative years set the stage for future emotional challenges.
The Transition to Health Coaching
After graduating from Sonoma State with a degree in kinesiology, Nicole had her sights set on becoming a physical therapist. Despite her passion for the field, she faced years of rejection—applying to graduate programs for six consecutive years without success. This experience was both humbling and eye-opening, forcing Nicole to reconsider her path.
It was during this time of uncertainty that she recognized a pattern: coaching was always part of her life. Nicole had been coaching swimming and water polo throughout high school and beyond. She realized that her true calling lay not in physical therapy but in helping others discover their own potential and navigate life’s challenges. She enrolled in the Health Coach Institute, becoming a certified health coach and narrative coach.
Battling Depression and the Journey to Healing
Nicole’s personal life was marked by a traumatic event that plunged her into depression. She spent years feeling lost, following the advice of others rather than her own intuition. This period of emotional isolation led her to develop what she referred to as “resting bitch face,” a mask she used to hide her internal struggles. Behind closed doors, Nicole was numbing her pain with alcohol and smoking, cutting herself off from the world.
It wasn’t until she began working with a therapist and consciously choosing to make changes in her life that Nicole started her healing journey. She stopped drinking and smoking, replacing unhealthy habits with positive ones. This shift allowed her to reflect on the deeper lessons of her experience. Depression, she realized, wasn’t a curse but a warning sign—an indication that something in her life was out of balance and needed attention.
The Importance of Self-Awareness and Support
As a coach, Nicole now helps others through their own transformations. Her coaching philosophy centers on support and self-awareness. She emphasizes that healing begins when we listen to our bodies and minds, rather than ignoring the signals they send us. Depression, cravings, and pain are all messages from the body, communicating that something is off and needs to be addressed.
Nicole encourages her clients to be kind to themselves and to embrace the lessons hidden in their struggles. Her approach blends physical health with emotional well-being, showing that how we treat one area of our lives influences everything else. By helping clients rewrite their life narratives and build healthier habits, Nicole empowers them to take control of their futures.
Using Life’s Challenges for Growth
One of Nicole’s defining moments came during a recent river tubing adventure, where she was faced with unexpected challenges and uncertainty. Rather than focusing on the fear of being stuck in deep water, she used the experience to regain confidence in her swimming abilities. This renewed confidence inspired her to sign up for an open water swim under the Golden Gate Bridge—a race she hadn’t initially planned on but felt ready to tackle.
This shift in perspective—turning a daunting experience into motivation—reflects Nicole’s coaching style. She helps her clients view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.
Key Takeaways:
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Challenges Are Opportunities for Growth: Nicole’s journey shows that setbacks, like her rejection from physical therapy school or her battle with depression, can be transformed into opportunities for self-discovery and growth.
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Self-Awareness is Key to Healing: Whether through addressing cravings or recognizing depression as a warning sign, listening to your body and mind is crucial for personal growth and emotional well-being.
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Support is Essential: Nicole emphasizes the importance of having a support system—whether through coaching, therapy, or community—to guide you through difficult times and keep you on the path to healing.
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Reframe Your Experiences: By choosing to look at challenges as learning experiences, you can shift your mindset and unlock new potential, as Nicole did after her river tubing adventure.
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Authenticity Leads to Healing: Learning to be true to yourself and express your emotions authentically can help you break free from the masks you wear and live a more fulfilling life.
Nicole Harrington’s story is a powerful reminder that life’s challenges don’t define us—how we respond to them does. Her journey from swimming and physical therapy to health and narrative coaching highlights the transformative power of self-awareness, support, and perseverance. For anyone struggling with their own path, Nicole offers a guiding hand, helping them rewrite their story and find their way to healing and purpose.
For more about Nicole’s coaching services, visit NicoleCoachingG.com.
