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...while fearing that we’re pushing them so hard that the joy disappears.

💡 Inside, I share:

• How fear of the future drives us to over-pressure our kids

• Why achievement doesn’t equal unconditional love

• The difference between instilling greatness vs. creating stress

• A new way of celebrating effort, progress, and joy

If you’ve ever worried that you’re expecting too much from your kids or felt torn between cheering them on and criticizing every misstep this episode will help you breathe, reflect, and reset.

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 minute

• You earn commissions on every sale from your link

• You can even earn from bringing others in under you

And if you want to go deeper, there’s an optional certification for just $497 that includes training on how to build, market, and promote offers like a pro.

💡 This episode will help you understand why OfferLab is a no-brainer for moms who want to test the waters of online business without risking anything.

👉 Join OfferLab free today through my exclusive link: https://bit.ly/offerlab4me

Four weeks. Four states. Countless memories… and two very exhausted 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 grand opening of Universal Studios Epic...we did it all.

And here’s the truth: we did it all for the kids… while putting our sanity on the line in the process. Because let’s be real family vacations aren’t restful, they’re work. Early mornings, late nights, keeping kids entertained, and fighting against every theme park upsell (yes, I caved on the wands and power-up wristbands 😅).

But in the middle of the chaos, there were sweet surprises too like strangers complimenting my kids’ manners and those little moments that reminded me I am doing something right as a mom.

In this episode, I’m sharing the reality of parent vacations, the sacrifices we make, and why even though I came home needing a vacation from my vacation...I wouldn’t trade the memories for anything.

💡 If you’ve ever returned from a family trip more tired than when you left, this episode will make you laugh, nod, and feel a little less alone.

This summer was packed with 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.

And then? The mom guilt hit.

If you’ve ever felt torn between loving every moment with your kids and craving the structure that school and routines bring, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of our summer travels, the guilt that comes with wanting space, and the powerful mindset shift that helped me reframe guilt as balance.

Because the truth is...our kids don’t just need us present, they need us whole. And sometimes that means celebrating the rhythm, peace, and productivity that comes when school is back in session.

💡 If you’ve ever wrestled with summer mom guilt, back-to-school transitions, or balancing motherhood with your own needs, this episode will help you breathe, release the pressure, and remember: you’re not selfish...you’re human.

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 dealing with the mom pooch after pregnancy and C-sections.

In this episode of Struggle & Strength: Moms Balancing It All with Nikki, I’m opening up about my personal post-C-section recovery journey...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 body confidence, healing after motherhood, and showing my kids what perseverance looks like.

💡 Inside, I share:

• Why eating clean + running still didn’t change my lower belly area

• The new nutrition and workout strategy I’m testing for C-section recovery

• How I’m reframing my C-section pouch as progress, not shame

• Why moms need to stop feeling alone in their fitness and body confidence struggles

If you’ve ever sighed in the mirror, felt frustrated with your mom pooch, or wondered why your hard work isn’t showing up the way you hoped...this episode will remind you that you’re not broken, you’re not alone, and your body is stronger than you think.

👉 Want to connect? Reach out at www.talktonikkiw.com

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, 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-publishing over traditional routes

• The biggest lessons she’s learned about marketing as an author

• How she balances the heart of writing with the business side of publishing

• Encouragement for moms who dream of writing a book but feel stuck or overwhelmed

If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to write a book one day,” this episode will inspire you to start before you’re ready and to own your story every step of the way.

👉 Connect with Shilo Creed:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566544635158

• Read the Plunge Series: https://www.tactical-press.com/plunged-22571