Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki

You’re eating clean. Working out. Doing all the “right” things… and still not seeing results.

Sound familiar?

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I open up about the frustration so many high-achieving women feel...stubborn belly fat, hormone shifts, low energy, and the pressure to “just try harder.”

But what if you’re not failing?

What if you just need a new strategy?

We’re talking about identity shifts, hormone health, body confidence after kids, and why more effort isn’t always the answer. If you...

In this deeply personal solo episode, Nikki opens up about what it truly means to say “This Is Me.”

After a recent speaking event, Nikki realized something powerful for most of her life, her worth was tied to what she did, not who she was. Being helpful, busy, productive, and needed became the way she earned love and validation… and it took years to recognize how exhausting that can be.

If you are a mom who feels uneasy resting, guilty saying no, or unsure who you are outside of your roles, this episode is for...

If you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and stretched thin… it might not be because life is too much. It might be because you’ve been available to everyone except yourself.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, Nikki opens up about the invisible weight so many moms carry the pressure to say yes, avoid disappointment, and keep everyone else comfortable at the expense of their own well-being.

This is an honest conversation about:

Why setting boundaries feels so hard for moms

How over-giving leads to resentment and bu...

When the Pressure Lifts and You Can Finally Breathe Again

I did not realize how heavy life had become… until the pressure was gone.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I share what the transition to my kids’ new school has been like and how it unexpectedly changed me too.

With calmer mornings, fewer rushed schedules, and a snow-filled weekend that forced us to slow down, I finally felt what so many moms rarely experience: relief.

This episode is about recognizing how long we live in s...

What happens when you stop resisting change and actually lean into it?

In Episode 56 of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, Nikki shares a personal, unfiltered reflection on trying something new, embracing change, and how small shifts can create massive peace in family life.

From a humorous moment that almost involved catching her hair on fire, to a powerful decision to switch her kids to a new school that prioritizes the child’s soul over performance, this episode explores what happens when you choose alignment over convenience.

If you have been fe...

You don’t have to be a mom to kids to understand responsibility, balance, and the pull toward something more.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, Nikki sits down with Elena Elzz, a functional pharmacist, integrative health coach, and proud dog mom, to talk about building a purpose-driven career alongside a demanding job without quitting everything or burning out.

Elena shares how her journey in functional and integrative health evolved while working in pharmacy, how being a dog mom shaped her routines and priorities, and why she chose to bu...

What if building extra income didn’t require quitting your job, creating a product, or starting from scratch?

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I sit down with pharmacist mom Dayle Diffey, who shares how she built a scalable side business in very part-time hours while still working full-time in retail pharmacy.

Dayle opens up about her journey from launching a PGx consulting practice (and realizing insurance would not pay for her time) to pivoting into a wellness business that allowed her to help more people, earn income quickly, an...

This episode marks the beginning of a brand new season of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki.

This is not just about motherhood anymore.
This is about identity, ownership, and the quiet pull toward something more.

In this episode, Nikki shares why this podcast is evolving to support moms who feel called to build, create, and reclaim parts of themselves that have been buried under responsibility, expectations, and doing it all for everyone else.

If you have ever felt restless, underutilized, or like you are meant for more but are...

One year ago, I pressed record for the first time and almost talked myself out of it.

I wondered who would listen.
I questioned whether my voice mattered.
I debated adding one more thing to an already full life.

And yet, here we are one year, 52 episodes, and thousands of downloads later.

This anniversary episode is a reflection on how Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki began, how it evolved, and what this journey has taught me about consistency, courage, and showing up before you feel ready.

...

For years, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but now I finally understand why our family struggles in big systems.

We are not a fan of big organizations.
And it has nothing to do with size… it has everything to do with being seen and valued.

From schools to sports, we have learned that our kids thrive in smaller environments where they are known, valued, and intentionally developed not treated like a number. Watching my daughter struggle in a massive sports organization while my son thrived in a small, hands-on one made...

We say we “lost our purpose.”
We say we “lost our passion.”
But what does that really mean?

This week, after a conversation with my son’s friend’s mom, something hit me hard:
Most moms cannot answer a simple question…

If you had two hours completely to yourself what would you do?

Not for your kids.
Not for your spouse.
Not for your job.
Not for your house.

For YOU.

The truth is, most of us cannot answer because we have spent so long taking...

Why do high-achieving moms give everything they have… and still feel invisible?

This week, I talked to several pharmacist moms who are brilliant, talented, educated, and experienced yet feel undervalued, unfulfilled, and stuck.
And the truth is: they are not alone.

In this episode, we are diving into:
💛 Why moms burn out even when they love their families
💛 Why high-achieving women lose their sense of purpose
💛 Why we feel guilty wanting more
💛 The pressure to “do it all”
💛 And the real reason so many women feel unvalued

This episode is for e...

Why do moms keep saying yes… even when we are exhausted?
Even when we know we do not have time?
Even when it means more late nights and more chaos?

This week, one tiny yes spiraled into a full-on heat press marathon...numbers, logos, sponsor patches, everything. My husband was frustrated. I was overwhelmed. And yet… the end result surprised me.

One grateful coach.
An unexpected business opportunity.
And a six-year-old girl running across a soccer field proudly wearing the jersey I made.

In this episode, I share the chao...

This episode starts with a Target run that turned into one of the most emotional moments of my entire motherhood journey.

My kids, without being asked, reminded, or nudged, asked if they could go buy Thanksgiving gifts for each other… with their own money.

My middle son even pulled out his birthday gift card and said he’d split it evenly so everyone could pick something for each other.

And in that moment, standing in the middle of Target, it hit me:
Maybe I’m doing something right.

In today’s episod...

This week, I returned to my alma mater, Purdue University, for the College of Pharmacy Advisory Council meetings and something incredible happened.

When I shared my story of helping pharmacist moms create side hustles to earn extra income and rediscover their purpose, something shifted.

Several women came up to me afterward and said,
“That’s exactly how I feel.”
“I want that too.”

These conversations reminded me of the exact moment I realized I was made for more. I had the title, the career, the paycheck but I didn’t have fulfillment...

Around this time last year, I did something that changed my life.

I got on a plane, left my family at home, and went to my first-ever live event The It’s Her Turn Summit by Cathy Heller.

It was the first time I had truly put myself first. I didn’t know anyone there. I didn’t know what to expect. But what I found was transformation...the kind that only happens when you take a leap of faith and choose you.

That weekend, I stood in a room full of women chasin...

When I left Purdue University in 2006, I vowed I’d never go back.

Not because I didn’t love it...my six years there gave me some of the best memories of my life but because the way it ended left me heartbroken. I wanted to forget it all and start fresh. So I did.

But sometimes, God has a way of bringing you right back to the place you thought you’d left behind… not to relive the pain, but to rewrite the story.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All w...

It’s the question every parent hears at least once a weekend:
“So… how many games do you have today?”

And honestly? I never know how to answer.

Between three kids, five soccer games, two tennis matches, diving practice, and coaching toddler soccer it’s a full-time job just keeping track of who’s playing where.

This weekend alone, we had seven games, two practices, and about a hundred snack breaks in between. 😅

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I’m talking about the beautiful chaos o...

Have you ever hit a point where you just wanted to quit...on everything?
The business. The activities. The endless to-do list.

Last week, I was there.
I prayed and asked God, “Am I even supposed to be doing all this?”

And then… He answered.

That same afternoon, my daughter walked into my office holding a huge bouquet of roses and tulips...my favorites. It was from one of my clients, completely unexpected, with a note thanking me for everything I’d done to help them. 🌷

The next day? A new disco...

Being a mom, wife, and entrepreneur sometimes feels like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle—blindfolded. 🔥
You’re balancing work, kids, business, relationships, and trying to keep it all from crashing down.

And lately? I’ve been there...deep in the exhaustion, wondering, “Is it even worth it?”

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I’m opening up about what it feels like to be pulled in every direction taking on new clients, investing in programs, driving kids from one activity to the next and still feeling like there’s ne...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly fighting for your kids at school, on the field, or in the classroom...you’re not imagining it.

This year alone, I’ve had to step in when:

A teacher marked an assignment as missing even though it was fully completed.

A soccer coach skipped the very skills and agility training we signed up for.

My youngest was stuck sitting next to disruptive kids in class with no control.

And for the first time ever, my kids told me they’d rather b...

At my kids’ tennis practice this week, I heard something unfold that hit me right in the heart.

One coach complimented a mom’s daughter, calling her a future rock star. Amazing, right? But another mom walked away upset because her daughter didn’t get the same praise. She felt like her child was just as good, maybe even better, and she couldn’t understand why nothing was said about her.

It made me realize just how often we, as moms, fall into the trap of comparison...not just for ourselves, but through our kids.

In...

Growing up, I never felt good enough. My mom never told me she loved me, and I often felt like her love was conditional...tied to whether or not I met her expectations. I promised myself I’d never repeat that pattern with my kids.

And yet… here I am, realizing that in different ways, I’m still passing down the weight of expectations.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I open up about the struggle so many parents face: wanting our kids to succeed in sports, school, and life...

Have you ever thought about starting a side hustle or business of your own but stopped because you didn’t know what to sell or how to begin?

That’s exactly why Russell Brunson (the creator of ClickFunnels) launched OfferLab and it’s one of the best opportunities I’ve ever seen for moms who want to start something of their own without the overwhelm.

Here’s why:

It’s free to join (for now!)

You don’t need your own product or service

You can build an offer in less than a...

What if you finally sat down to write the story that’s been on your heart and not only finished it, but published it on your own terms?

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I sit down with author and self-publisher Shilo Creed (pen name for Claire Fulton), creator of the Plunge series...stories she describes as “Pilgrim’s Progress meets Marvel.”

Shilo opens up about her journey as a mom, writer, and entrepreneur learning the ins and outs of self-publishing. We talk about:

Why she chose self-pub...

I’m in good shape. I eat clean. I run most days. I have a four-pack on top and toned obliques… but no matter what I do, the stubborn C-section pouch below my belly button won’t budge.

And I know I’m not the only mom feeling this.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength, I’m opening up about my personal journey with the “mom pouch”—how three back-to-back C-sections left me with a challenge I can’t out-discipline. This isn’t about getting skinny. It’s about confidence, healing, and showing my kids what perseverance look...

Four weeks.
Four states.
Four very tired parents.

From California for my daughter’s national diving competition, to Missouri for my dad’s 80th, to New York for my high school reunion, and finally Florida for the brand-new Universal Studios Epic theme park...we did it all.

And here’s the truth: we did it all for the kids… and put our sanity on the line in the process.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

The reality of “parent vacations” (early mornings, late nights, and all-day kid entertainment)

How theme pa...

This summer was full of travel, memories, and chaos and as much as I loved it, I have to admit… I felt a huge sense of relief when my kids went back to school this week.

And then immediately? Mom guilt.

If you’ve ever felt torn between loving time with your kids and craving the structure of school and work routines, this episode is for you. I share the chaos of our summer travels, the guilt that comes with wanting space, and the powerful shift that helped me reframe guilt as balance.

Beca...

This summer was full of travel, memories, and chaos and as much as I loved it, I have to admit… I felt a huge sense of relief when my kids went back to school this week.

And then immediately? Mom guilt.

If you’ve ever felt torn between loving time with your kids and craving the structure of school and work routines, this episode is for you. I share the chaos of our summer travels, the guilt that comes with wanting space, and the powerful shift that helped me reframe guilt as balance.

Beca...

Four weeks.
Four states.
Two very tired parents.

From California for my daughter’s national diving competition, to Missouri for my dad’s 80th, to New York for my high school reunion, and finally Florida for the brand-new Universal Studios Epic theme park...we did it all.

And here’s the truth: we did it all for the kids… and put our sanity on the line in the process.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

The reality of “parent vacations” (early mornings, late nights, and all-day kid entertainment)

How theme pa...

I almost didn’t go.

Between three kids, a full-time job, sports, and my business it would’ve been easy to skip my 25th high school reunion.

But I said yes. I flew to Rochester, NY with my whole family. And what happened? Was unexpectedly beautiful.

In this episode, I’m sharing why showing up matters...even when you feel like an outsider, even when life is full. From reconnecting with old classmates to watching my kids light up as they explored my hometown, this trip reminded me how powerful it is to say ye...

What if doing less could actually bring you more peace, connection, and clarity?

In this episode of Struggle & Strength, I’m sharing the story of how I finally stopped overloading my calendar with camps, client calls, and constant chaos—and what happened when I let myself (and my kids) breathe.

We talk about:

The pressure moms feel to “make summer count”

The surprising power of simplicity

And how saying no to hustle can actually give you more of what really matters

If you’ve been stuck in go-go-go m...

What happens when you give everything...your time, your heart, your energy and the moment something goes wrong… you're left to carry the blame alone?

In this episode of Struggle & Strength, I’m opening up about the emotional and professional weight women are carrying in silence. From being the one who holds it all together at work, at home, and everywhere in between… to the disappointment we feel when the support we expect disappears the moment we need it most.

💥 In this real, raw episode, we talk about:

Why women keep showing up even when...

Ever feel completely exhausted at the end of the day… but can’t point to anything “productive” you actually did?

You’re not crazy. You’re not lazy.
You’re carrying the invisible weight of being a mom.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All, I’m calling out the silent, unseen labor that drains us daily—even when our to-do list stays “unfinished.” This is the episode you’ll want to send to every mom who’s ever felt guilt for needing rest after a day of doing “nothing.”

💡 Inside:

Why the w...

Ever find yourself tiptoeing around your husband’s bad mood...especially during summer break?

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All, I’m opening up about something real: the short fuse our husbands seem to have when routines go out the window and the house feels chaotic.

This isn’t a husband-bashing episode. It’s a conversation about:

Why dads often struggle with patience when the house is loud, messy, and unpredictable

How the stress they carry shows up in anger, withdrawal, or frustration

Why moms end up i...

The summer chaos is real. From early-morning drop-offs to late-night pick-ups, it feels like I’m driving in circles all day—and getting nothing done.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All, I’m talking about the mid-summer slump: when the to-do list grows, the work piles up, and the guilt creeps in because you still haven’t taught your kids any of the things you swore you’d cover this summer.

If you feel like you’re just surviving the schedule and barely holding it together—you are not alone. Let’s talk about the...

From soccer teams to diving coaches, from school options to summer activities it feels like every decision we make as moms could change the course of our kids’ lives. And the pressure? It’s exhausting.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All, I’m opening up about the emotional weight of trying to make the “right” choice every single time, and what I’ve learned through decisions that didn’t go the way I planned.

If you’ve ever second-guessed yourself, felt mom guilt over a program you picked, or wondered whether you’re setting y...

You manage the meals, the money, the soccer snacks, the school emails, and the side hustle…
But you still don’t think you’re an entrepreneur?

This episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All is your wake-up call.

I’m breaking down why moms are already running households like CEOs and how that makes us the perfect people to raise the next generation of entrepreneurs. Including:

✅ Real-life ways you’re already building and managing like a boss
✅ Why this summer is the perfect time to teach your kids entrepreneurial skills
✅ How my k...

Ever said “yes” when your gut screamed “no”?
Yeah. Me too.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All, I’m sharing a raw moment from my business this past week when I overcommitted to a client, crossed my own boundaries, and paid the price in exhaustion, stress, and family time lost.

This isn’t just about one project it’s about the pattern so many of us fall into as moms, business owners, and women who hate disappointing others.

If you’ve been struggling to draw the line or stick to it...th...

The kids are out of school. Your routine is flipped. And suddenly… all your motivation to work disappears under sunscreen and snack requests.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All, I’m getting real about the pull of summer: wanting to soak up time with your kids, but also trying to keep your business—and your dreams—moving forward.

Plus, I’ll share what we’re doing in our house to make this summer productive AND empowering—including helping my kids build their own business through Kids Empower Kids, exploring dropshipping and affiliate mark...