Niki’s love for running started early, chasing after her dad on family runs and soaking up every moment they spent moving together. With his encouragement and joy-filled approach to the sport, running quickly became something special. As she got older and more competitive, her dad even helped coach her. When Niki decided she wanted to run at the collegiate level, he was her biggest supporter.

That dream came true when Niki joined the cross country and track teams at Brigham Young University (BYU). It was there that her passion for the sport deepened and her understanding of training, discipline, and teamwork grew. She also discovered how much she loved helping others through running, volunteering as a coach at BYU’s youth cross country camps and guiding young athletes with the same support she had once received.

Niki graduated from BYU with a degree in Exercise and Wellness, and went on to work as a personal trainer in both hospital and physical therapy settings. She later served as the strength and conditioning coach for Provo High School’s distance team, where she combined her knowledge of biomechanics and athlete development to help young runners build a strong foundation.

After moving to Northwest Arkansas, Niki spent five years working at Rush Running Co., where she met some of her favorite people and truly fell in love with the local running community. Her passion for the sport only grew, and so did her desire to help others find their place in it.

Her personal relationship with running shifted again when she became a mom. NOT BEING ABLE TO RUN DURING pregnancy, Niki had to take a step back from something that had always been a central part of her life. Getting back into it postpartum wasn’t easy, but she showed up with patience, grace, and grit (qualities she now brings to her coaching). Whether someone is running for the first time, returning after having a baby, or rebuilding after an injury, Niki has a deep empathy for the process and knows just how transformative it can be.

When she’s not running, you can find her in the kitchen: cooking, baking, and fueling her family with delicious meals. She even completed a year of culinary school and dreams of one day combining her love for food, wellness, and performance through further education in nutrition.

Niki is endlessly kind and humble, you’d never guess from talking to her that she competed at one of the top collegiate programs in the country. She brings a gentle strength, deep knowledge, and genuine care to every athlete she works with. Whether you’re chasing a new PR or simply learning to fall in love with running again, you’ll be lucky to have her in your corner.