Athlete Spotlight: Meet Nicole Davis!
Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with Nicole Davis, who joined Defined in 2018.
By
September 2, 2025
Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with Nicole Davis, who joined Defined in 2018.
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If you were to ask Nicole Davis to summarize her fitness journey, she’d tell you, “Progress isn’t linear; plateaus and breakthroughs are all part of the process.”
That’s something Nicole learned with time and experience: Born in the Chicago suburbs and having lived in the city for more than 15 years (“working in corporate America, because I haven’t won the lottery yet,” she somewhat jokingly adds), Nicole says her fitness journey has been “lifelong.”
“I’ve tried everything from globo gyms to group classes to boxing gyms. Nothing has stuck quite like CrossFit and Defined Training.”
Consistency has always been a challenge for Nicole — but she’s never let that stop her from trying. When she joined Defined in 2018, she says the encouraging atmosphere and motivation she received from the coaches unlocked a new outlook on her own potential.
“I didn’t play sports in school, I was a choir nerd,” she says. “I’ve never been a runner or considered myself athletic. When a Defined coach referred to me as an ‘athlete,’ I laughed it off. I see myself differently now.”
Since joining Defined, Nicole says her consistency has been off and on, but in the last couple years, she really showed up for herself — she even made the Committed Club, awarded to members who attend at least 15 classes per month, nine months in a row. (Honestly, let’s say 10 months in a row — she was just one class short in July, people!)
Through that newfound commitment and consistency, Nicole has discovered a newfound confidence and trust in herself to accomplish hard things.
“Defined has allowed me to push myself in ways I never imagined,” Nicole says. “Defined has given me confidence and strength — I am more willing to push myself outside my comfort zone and try different routines or classes. Including the Spring Endurance program! I was terrified of pushing myself that hard. But along the way, I noticed changes. Changes in my endurance in cardio-heavy WODs, changes in my times, changes in my clothes!”
In last spring’s endurance program, Nicole accomplished things she didn’t think possible before. She has never run more than 200m at a time.
“Running is anxiety-inducing. I have broken up the runs for Murph, and typically scale runs in class WODs,” she says.
But Nicole ran her first half mile, without stopping, during the Spring Endurance Program.
“Something I could not have done without the encouragement and support of Coach Reid and Coach Cara,” Nicole adds.
She worked out for an average of 75 minutes with a group of 30 individuals every Sunday. Her conditioning improved, and she started pushing herself more.
“Then I had a knee injury, and my running career was over as soon as it started,” she says.
But the momentum was already there; Nicole saw Dr. Elvis Sako, PT, DPT, from Foundation Physical Therapy (located right inside Defined Training!) and worked her way back — and in the meantime during her recovery period, she scaled and modified workouts so that she’d still keep her consistency in check.
These days, Nicole’s fitness journey looks a bit different. It contains more structure, more commitment. She sees the results, physically and mentally. She’s lost nearly 125lbs in the past 4 years. She’s made countless friends and loves showing up to any signature Defined event. And through it all, she’s built strength and confidence.
“CrossFit can be intimidating at first,” Nicole says. “Start simple and stay consistent. Focus on technique and form first; you don’t need to lift super heavy right away. Build on your strengths.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Nicole. Thanks for being a member of Defined and helping make our Community Strong. 💪
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“Keep your squats low and your standards high.”
I love a theme! I love to plan events, include as many people as possible, and convince them into a theme. Going to a pumpkin patch? Plaid flannels required! Halloween kickball? I’ll be the one in the blowup unicorn costume! Holiday bingo? I’ll bring the silly glasses! I love bringing people together for a good time & laughs.
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It doesn’t have to look like the one you just read. How has Defined help transform your life? We want to hear from you — reach out to Coach Reid or Coach Cara to get started!
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