344: Nicole DeBoom: Mother, Runner, Visionary, Feminist

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Nicole DeBoom was a standout swimmer, qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Trials and later graduating from Yale University. She decided to pursue the sport of triathlon, and a lucky seat assignment introduced her to her future husband, Tim DeBoom (who would later become a 2-time Hawaii Ironman World Champion), on a flight to the 1995 Triathlon World Championships. Nicole started racing professionally in 1999, racking up countless podium finishes. During the final stage of her racing career in 2004, Nicole created and introduced something that had never been done before – the very first running skirt.

Shortly afterward, Nicole went on to launch Skirt Sports with the mission of helping women find inspiration, confidence, and courage through the transformative power of running and fitness. Today, Skirt Sports is a national women’s apparel brand offering a full line of products that fit real women’s bodies and support their busy running lives. Currently, you can find Nicole chatting with customers at the Skirt Sports Boulder flagship store, helping women change their lives through her non-profit organization Running Start, interviewing visionaries for her popular podcast Run This World and chasing around her 7-year-old girl, Wilder.

Nicole’s energy is as big and dynamic as her racing career. I think you’re going to love this conversation as much as I did!

Listen in to hear Nicole share:

• How she went from being a professional athlete who didn’t want kids to have a daughter that completely changed her sense of identity
• How she adapted to NOT doing it all
• Her evolution from a professional athlete into a working mom with a mission (and the shift in identity when you no longer workout 3 times a day)
• Her mission in building a company that makes athletics and working out more feminine and more accessible to women of all abilities and body types
• What inspired her to start a nonprofit and the impact it’s had on other women

Links mentioned:

• Connect with Nicole
• Shop Skirt SportsUse the code SHAMELESS20 for a discount
• Check out Running Start
• Nicole’s Podcast: Run This World
• Facebook: @nicoledeboom
• Instagram: @nicoledeboom

Thank you to our sponsors:

• Lola: Get organic cotton tampons and other hygiene products delivered right to your door. To get 40% off all subscriptions, go to Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout.
• Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.

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