At just 26, Brittany Nicholas has already lived through enough challenges and changes that brought her away from, then back to, the world of fitness. Born and raised in Memphis, sports were central to Brittany’s life throughout childhood. She thrived in competitive cheer, track, and cross country, all of which shaped her early years and instilled a drive that would later define her. But by the time she reached college, the pressures of family struggles and financial independence forced her to step back.

“I had to grow up faster than most people,” she says. “I was working two jobs, going to school full-time, and completely on my own. I was putting in 80 or 90 hours a week. It was exhausting, but it built my work ethic. Even now, if I’m not working, I don’t know what to do with myself,” Brittany says.

That relentless spirit carried her through one of the darkest chapters of her life. About five years ago, Brittany was emerging from a painful breakup from a volatile and destructive relationship. Emotionally drained, she turned back to exercise as an outlet. “When my emotions were high and everything felt overwhelming, I needed to move,” she recalls. She tried a class at Iron Tribe and was immediately hooked. Iron Tribe’s mix of HIIT and CrossFit-style training — like power cleans, bike sprints, push-ups, and strength circuits — provided the structure and challenge she craved, and she fell in love with both the workout and the community.

Two years into her membership, her passion caught the attention of a coach and manager at the East Memphis Iron Tribe. When they mentioned they were opening a Germantown location and asked if she’d ever thought about coaching, Brittany saw an opportunity to change her life. “I’d been unhappy at my job, so I started working on my personal training certification, and decided to go for it,” she says.

Now approaching her third year as a full-time coach, Brittany says she’s finally living with purpose. “Every single day I wake up excited to go to work,” she says. “I love the workouts, but what I really love are the people. I’ve been through a lot personally, and this Iron Tribe family has had my back through everything.”

Brittany coaches most days of the week, yet still makes time to join Iron Tribe classes and work with a personal trainer to grow her fitness and her coaching. When asked what advice she has for people new to fitness and considering Iron Tribe, she remembers, “Five years ago, I was that person who ran to the bathroom to hide because I was intimidated. You will see that the community is supportive and encouraging, especially of new members. Everyone here is just doing their best.”

Interested in trying Iron Tribe? Check out Irontribefitness.com/location/germantown and sign up for a free consultation!

By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens