Niki started her love affair with running in 2011 when she joined WBL MOTR.  It only took a couple weeks of experiencing the classes, the supportive environment and the community to be hooked.  She started coaching in 2012 and spent several years learning more in-depth about Exercise Science at Concordia starting in 2014. Niki has participated in more races than she can count, from 5ks through Ultra Marathons.  Niki has a passion for encouraging and supporting women at any stage of their health and fitness journey, and embraces balance and being active in the best way to support each woman’s phase of life.

I have been with Moms on the Run for three years and a coach for two. I have always enjoyed running, but with MOTR it is so much more than just running! I enjoy the community atmosphere of the group and the commitment to meet everyone where they are while encouraging them to just do their best. It is the friendship and fun that makes this group so special and the bonus of getting fit while you’re doing it. I had never run in a race until I joined MOTR and now I am addicted! Races are so much better with friends. It is also fun to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments!!

2023 marked my first season as a coach after joining MOTR in 2017 as an empty nester in a high-pressure career looking for stress relief. As a “never-ever runner”, completing a 5k through the Learn to Run program was a triumph! I surprised my family and myself by sticking with it, increasing my race distance annually until reaching 26.2 miles at age 60. In addition to better mental and physical health, I’ve found joy in the friendships and running in every Minnesota season, now with the added dimension as a coach where I am able to help some of these incredible women reach their goals.

I started running to get in shape for my wedding. I quickly discovered that running was the “most bang for my buck” – if I only had 30 minutes, I could get in a great workout by going on a run!  As we started having children, my running career was on and off for many years, but running has always been something I kept coming back to for exercise.

I have been a volunteer coach with MOTR since 2012. My favorite part of MOTR is helping amazing women do something new each week like run longer or farther than the week before. The relationships I’ve made keep me coming back year after year.

I started running in my early 20’s and 45 years later I still love it. Most of that time I did solo runs but in 2018 two friends from the gym told me about MOTR. I joined and immediately loved it! The camaraderie with all the women and the many friendships I’ve made have been so rewarding. I started coaching in 2022 because I wanted to be even more involved and share my love of running and fitness with others. I’ve experienced many happy moments helping others while coaching.