I've known Nikki Roxx for her entire wrestling and fitness career, mostly because I started her in the business. I met her about ten years ago, when she would quietly sit on the bench of Killer Kowalski's pro wrestling dojo taping other student's drills. She'd tag along to post-class dinner and gym with us and I'd found out that she was clearly interested in wrestling. Back then, I put her through grueling ab or glute workouts, which she never once complained about. After admitting she didn't have the money to join the school, I pleaded my case to Walter "Killer" Kowalski (as the only female at the school) that I needed another girl to work with and I asked him to consider her. He said, "Let me think on it." The next day he came in and said, "I thought about it. Yes." She ended up being so good, I asked her to become my tag team partner...and The Killer Babes were born.
I've watched her go from being shy, plain and slightly bottom heavy to a glamorous hardbody-next-door feature on TV who gets everything she sets out to do.
But as a whole acorn squash rolled out of her suitcase to settle at my foot while we were backstage at a wrestling show, I couldn't help but think, "Mein Gott. This girl is so dedicated and SUCH a great role model for other females."
Currently she's featured as Roxxi Laveaux on TNA Wrestling and has been competing since 2007 in both Figure and Bikini competitions at the NPC New England, Jay Cutler Classic, Maggie Fit, and Fitness America Pageant events. She's wrestled all over the world, had her head shaved on television, been put through tables and even worked through a broken ankle. Nikki epitomizes "Just Do It." No procrastinations, no excuses. And she manages to do it while juggling a full time personal training job, relationship and travel schedule.
Oh, and did I mention she's a vegetarian?
So here goes. Allow me to introduce you to the girl next door whom you really ought to know.
What inspired you to start wrestling? When did you start training seriously for fitness?
I had just gone to help out at Killer Kowalski's school back in ‘01. April was the only girl there and she eventually talked me into trying it out. I had no idea I'd get as hooked as I did. She was also the first person to actually show me how to lift weights and the right kind of cardio to do.
Is it challenging to balance your personal life with so much time on the road and in the gym?
It definitely was at first! Now no matter where I go I make sure I'm prepared. I've been lucky enough to get with a great coach who has taught me how to be prepared on the road. I can get a workout anywhere! Resistance bands, functional training, body weight exercises and I'm all set!
What's your favorite workout?
I like working legs because it's where I've always needed the most work. I've changed them a lot from when I started. (April can vouch for that!) I love the fact that every time I'm working them I'm molding them to what I want.
Why did you become a vegetarian?
I just couldn't touch, prepare, eat or think about how meat was made. It would and still does turn my stomach. I know there are farmers who take care of their animals and all but it just breaks my heart to know what they're farmed for. So, I don't eat anything with eyes.
Was it hard to compete in Figure without meat?
It was...I ended up taking some time off from competing when I started traveling 4-5 days each week for TNA wrestling. I'd become a vegetarian, and soon after the Bikini division was introduced, so I decided to return and give that a go. Now everything is so dialed in, but at that point my coach, Cathy Savage, was unsure how to get me on track. We did a lot of hit or miss. I found that instead of 4 ounces of meat or sweet potato, I now had to double that amount. And on carb depletion days, I never get completely depleted.
As a vegetarian AND a traveling wrestler, do you have to be creative in getting your protein in on the road?
YES! I usually pack all my proteins frozen, then throw them into the fridge when I get where I'm going. First thing I'll do when I arrive is hit up the local supermarket for my veggies. I've even raided 7-11 for cartons of eggs and made the whites in a microwave out of desperation. It's not pretty!
What are some of your favorites?
I love Quorn! My Gardin Chicken Scappolini is amazing. J Robbs Egg White Protein...Tera's Whey which is organic and made with goats milk. The pomegranate flavor is pretty great. Love Quinoa and seitan too. Seitan resembles meat so much, people will come up to me while I'm eating it and say, "Hey! I thought you were a vegetarian!" I do a lot of tofu (which I don't care for) when carb depleting but can keep my whey protein shakes in until the final week.
Please share some of your favorite recipes?
I try to make my recipes super quick and easy....
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Good luck! I absolutely know you'll kick ass!
Thank you so much for thinking of me for your interview. It really means a lot! I'm such a fan of RxMuscle.com too and thrilled to be featured on such a great site!
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Nikki is living proof that you can change your body, your life and your habits...just like that. As she says, "You're always in control."
Thanks for reading! I love getting feedback & ideas, so please check out http://www.AprilHunter.com & follow me on http://www.Twitter.com/AprilHunter
-April Hunter
Professional Wrestler, Pinup Centerfold & National Figure Athlete
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