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Get to Know: Auburn Resident Nichole Root

Auburn resident Nichole Root wasn’t always the powerhouse athlete recently seen on NBC’s The Titan Games. Although she’d been involved in sports throughout her youth, she put her athletic dreams on hold after becoming a mom. “I was brokenhearted, but I had to let all of that go. I devoted everything to my kids,” she recalls. She later opened Lolli Totts Preschool & Child Care and focused her energy on caring for children, including her own two daughters. But one day, her daughter came home from school complaining of being bullied by girls in her class. They visited a therapist, who told Root the best way to help her daughter would be to model the kind of strength and confidence necessary to rise above the “mean girls” of the world. The advice proved life-changing.

Nichole Root

 

These days, Root gets up at 3:20 a.m. to train before work, runs four miles at lunch, then does CrossFit in the evening. On weekends, she does 20-mile runs, preparing for Spartan Race—a grueling obstacle course. Her greatest joy, however, is seeing her preschoolers follow her around, doing squats or push-ups. “It makes me happy when I can foster a love of fitness in kids while they’re little,” Root shares. And she still follows the same advice she gave to her daughter after the bullying episode. “If people are mean, use it to light your fire,” she says, adding with a laugh, “There’s always going to be a mean girl.”  

—Amber Foster

Q&A

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

Slow down. Enjoy all the wonderful little moments life has to offer and make yourself a priority. 


What comes to you naturally? 

Being happy, energetic, and athletic. I think that’s why I’ve always loved working with children—they keep me young and remind me to find joy in the little things. 


Are you high or low maintenance? 

It’s a double-edged sword. I have eyelash extensions and micro-bladed eyebrows, so I guess I’m high maintenance just so I can be low maintenance! I don’t rely on things to bring me happiness; rather, I find joy in moments. 


What’s your biggest pet peeve? 

Arrogance. 


Biggest life inspirations? 

My dad. He taught me the value of hard work, a strong work ethic, the importance of loyalty and humility, and had zero tolerance for giving up on myself or any given task.


Best words of wisdom you’ve received?

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”—Dr. Seuss 


FAVORITES

Author/writer

Jim Storm 


Meal in town

Café Delicias 


Guilty pleasure 

Halo Top Creamery ice cream, and sour candy


Local landmark

Hiking the Quarry Trail to Hawver Cave


Movie
GI Jane, Wreck-It Ralph 


Place to buy a gift, locally

Old Town Auburn Farmers’ Market


Local nonprofit

Fly Brave Foundation


Saying

“I didn’t come this far only to come this far.”