Dave Nichols is the owner of CrossFit Flower Mound in Flower Mound, Texas. Dave holds a number of CrossFit training certifications and is a fellow Precision Nutrition Level 1 coach.
How did you get started with health and fitness? I grew up the son of a coach, and was always active playing sports and working out. As I got into college, I realized how important it was to take care of my body by exercise and how rewarding it was to help other people achieve goals of being healthier. What does your exercise routine look like? How has it changed over the years? Currently my goal is to workout 5 days per week. This has evolved a lot over the years due to family responsibilities. I have a 6, 4, and 2 year old and they have dictated my schedule a lot. I have been able to return to a good rhythm with them growing up and being in daycare and elementary school. Back in my 20's I was more focused on looking a certain way but no mentality is working towards being the fittest I can be and continue the self-discipline necessary to do so. For the past 13 years my training has revolved around CrossFit. I love the incorporation of gymnastics, olympic lifting, and high-intensity conditioning sessions. What is your favourite way to exercise outside of the gym? We do a lot of family walks, which has slowly evolved into light jogs as our boys have now learned to ride bikes. Soon I will be purchasing a bike to keep up with them. We have some trail in our neighborhood which is where my boys and i really enjoy walking. How do you incorporate healthy eating and exercise into your life? Owning a gym and having three kids, our family schedule doesn't allow for "normal" eating times and scenarios, so we pre-make 90% of our meals each week. We typically have a serving of protein, strach/dense carbohydrate, and two servings of vegetables. We do have two meals per week where we go out to eat. We don't over think our food decisions but do make choices that align with our goals. 6. If you could make one unhealthy food healthy, what would it be? I actually don't believe specific foods are unhealthy, I believe portion sizes are what makes something an unhealthy decision. What is one simple tip you would give to someone looking to get started with stewarding their body better? My suggestion to someone trying to get started is to just do it! Find a community of people to hold you accountable, and take it day by day. A single workout or a single meal does not make or break your progress. However, if every day you take a small step, then you will find it easier everyday. How has eating well and exercising helped you better perform the tasks you are called to? Exercise and quality nutrition allow for me to have much more mental clarity, energy for the day, and adds self-confidence. When it comes to eating and exercising, where are you vulnerable to poor stewardship? What steps do you take to safeguard against it? Accountability with my wife is the best way to help keep me in line. What challenges do you face that make it difficult to consistently steward your body? Laziness and complacency are primary factors that make it difficult to consistently steward my body. It is easy to come up with excuses on why I don't have time or don't need to make quality decisions. But excuses don't lead me towards my goals of the healthiest me.
