During my school days, I was quiet a popular kid, always surrounded by a group of friends and girls who seemed to like me. To most, I came across as confident, but beneath the Mask, there was a different story. What they didn’t realize was that I was putting on a show, to hide my scars..

Growing up, I faced the absence of a father figure as he left when I was just seven years old. This event left a lasting trauma on young Nicola. However, I quickly realized that dwelling on my emotions and crying about it wouldn’t bring any resolution. So, I made the decision to set out on a journey of emotional self-control. Let me be honest; it was far from successfull… I dealt with anger issues, was depressed, battled significant insecurities, and started building bad addictive behaviors. I felt like I was stuck in a pit, and with each passing day, I lost more and more friends. Lacking a role model to guide me, I had no choice but to navigate the difficulties of life on my own. It was and still is a challenging journey. Then, my life took a turn when I was introduced to the world of weight training. This newfound passion set me on a transformative path that would reshape my life entirely. As I sculpted my body, I began to recognize a fundamental truth – each individual holds the keys to their own future. It became clear to me that we must take responsibility for our problems, and the only person we can truly blame is ourselves. That realization empowered me to stand up for myself. My journey of self-improvement has been marked by numerous failures and successes. Throwing away the mask I wore for so long and confronting the scars hasn’t been easy. But it was necessary. With each step, I move closer to my authentic self, embracing the lessons and growth along the way. The road ahead remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: I am no longer happy living behind a facade. I am taking charge of my life, acknowledging my past, and forging a brighter future, one step at a time.