Editor’s Note: Welcome to “Reel Women,” our annual tribute to dynamic women in creative industries. For the month of March, let us introduce you to some very special women like boxer, Cristy “Code Red” Nickel.
Cristy’s journey in the health and fitness industry is nothing short of extraordinary. With over 27 years of experience, she has not only established herself as a leader but has also continuously reinvented herself, leaving an indelible mark in various facets of the industry.
Her early years as an amateur bodybuilding competitor provided a solid foundation, showcasing her dedication and discipline. Transitioning to professional boxing in 2003, Cristy demonstrated her resilience and prowess, earning recognition as one of the “Top 3 Most Dangerous Females on The Planet” by Ring Magazine. Her achievements in boxing catapulted her into the limelight, leading to a coaching role on MTV’s popular series MADE.
Cristy’s move to New York City marked a new chapter in her career, where she became a sought-after celebrity trainer, catering to Hollywood’s elite and top athletes. Her expertise and dedication earned her accolades, including the prestigious title of “New York’s Best Trainer” by Allure Magazine in 2008.
After retiring from boxing in 2010, Cristy embarked on a new venture with the launch of her custom nutrition program, the Code Red Lifestyle. This program has had a transformative impact on countless individuals worldwide, revolutionizing the fitness and weight loss industry with its effectiveness and personalized approach.
Now, at 46 years old, Cristy Nickel is set to inspire audiences once again with her remarkable comeback to competitive bodybuilding. The upcoming original documentary, Code Red: Diaries of Madness, produced by Generation Iron, promises to chronicle her journey with depth and authenticity. Set to premiere on April 12, 2024, on major streaming platforms, the documentary is poised to captivate audiences across all English-speaking territories.
Cristy’s story is one of resilience, determination, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Through her various endeavors, she continues to inspire and empower individuals to take control of their health and transform their lives for the better.
Let’s meet Cristy!
What’s your origin story?
I grew up poor in the mountains of northern Idaho. My dad was the sheriff and also our local minister. My mom worked for minimum wage at our local vet clinic. The town was only about 2000 people and my graduating class was 71 students.
Because we had no money, I learned at an early age that if I wanted something, I had to work for it. I learned to drive at nine years old and had my first job at 10 years old babysitting. I bought my first horse at 10 years old and made $50 monthly payments for 10 months for the horse. The horse was $500. I made every single payment myself without missing one.
Although I loved my childhood, I desperately wanted to see the rest of the world, so I left my town right out of high school and traveled all over the United States. I finally settled in Memphis, Tennessee to go to college. I really wanted to be a registered nurse, but in order to pay my way through nursing school, I bartended and waited tables. I was working my tail off. I took a local boxing class just to blow off some steam and a boxing coach was watching me. He said that I had natural talent and I could fight for money. All I heard was MONEY.
I was so broke. I started fighting to pay my way through nursing school and little that I know it would turn into something more than what I originally bargained for. I became one of the top three most dangerous females on the planet, over the course of almost eight years and fought in 15 pro fights all over the world. The success of that landed me my own MTV’s MADE show and a job training celebrities in New York City from 2005 to 2009.
After the market crashed, I relocated back to Idaho, where I set up my own business under my fighting name, Code Red. I created a nutrition program that enables people to lose 10% of their body weight every month without shakes, pills, diet, foods, or exercise. At first, my business was not successful and I was on Idaho State food stamps.
But in 2016, it took off and I went from food stamps to $10 million a year in revenue, and only 3 1/2 years! I published my first best selling book in 2017, the “Code Red Revolution” and wrote many books after that. Code Red continues to bring the message of hope and healing to thousands of clients all over the world.
How did you get into weight loss industry?
I got into the weight loss industry because I got fat. Even after being an elite level athlete, I got fat. I was a fat athlete. It didn’t make any sense to me because I learned what many of you have learned: you just need to exercise harder! I was riding my road bike all over the world, 300 miles a week. If I worked out any harder, I would blow out a knee!
Nobody ever taught me about my diet or mentioned that buying and eating the bag of M&Ms from Costco might not be the best for my health. I had IBS that I took medication for. My skin was flaky, and I had bad acne. I had fat just hanging off my body. I felt terrible all the time. I started doing research and realized that my diet was the problem. When I changed my diet, it changed my life. That’s how I created the Code Red Lifestyle.
Who were your mentors?
In my business, I had a couple of business coaches that I learned a lot from: Natasha Hazlett and James Friel. Natasha helped me reach my first million and James helped me reach the $10 million mark. As an athlete, my three favorite inspiring people: Chris Cavallini, Kris Gethin, and David Goggins.
While there will be others, what do you consider your biggest achievement to date?
Hitting that $10 million mark was a huge accomplishment. I have that beautiful award hanging in my office and I see it every day.
Also, getting on stage and competing after 20 years out of bodybuilding was a huge accomplishment and placing in the top five was even better.
What drives you to create?
The world needs to hear what I have to say. People need to understand that real food, water, and sleep is the answer. Almost 9 out of 10 people in this country are overweight and sick. Almost 50% of this country is obese. They don’t need shakes or pills or diet foods. I have the answer for long-term lasting results.
But they need to understand that no one‘s coming for them. Healthy people make a lot of sense but they don’t make a lot of dollars. There’s no money in healthy people and the system benefits from people remaining sick and fat. The diet industry is the most lucrative industry on the planet. People need to know the nature of the trap, and they have the right to choose a different way.
Award you crave, but haven’t won
There is a $100 million award that I’ve got my sights set on. I would love to win a “Woman of the Year“ award.
Female-directed franchise films such as Star Wars or MCU constantly get called “woke” by Internet trolls. Why?
So, because someone disagrees and voices their opinion, they’re called “trolls?” People troll me all the time but I don’t get mad. People are allowed to have their opinion, and they’re allowed to voice their opinion. Their opinion is none of my business.
Coffee, Lunch or Happy Hour
Coffee: Margaret Thatcher
Lunch: Melania Trump
Happy Hour: Serena Williams
It’s an election year, what is keeping you up at night?
I am extremely concerned about the state of this country. But I put my trust in God. The Bible clearly talks about how if you pray, don’t worry. So, things don’t keep me up at night. What good would that do? I would only lose sleep and not get any further down the road.
I pray for the leaders of this country. I pray for our government to understand what it’s currently doing to us as tax-paying citizens. But I understand that I have a job to do and a part to play in getting this nation healthy. I am involved in my local politics and stay current on what’s going on with the election. But I don’t let it keep me up at night. That won’t do me any good. Only God can save us. I put my trust in Him.
Favorite movie and TV show of 2023
Sound of Freedom.
Band or singer you would ditch your career and go perform with:
I really wouldn’t ditch my career for any of them. They are doing what they are called to do. I’m doing what I’m called to do. I have an incredible amount of respect for people with that kind of talent but that life comes with an incredible burden.
I will say that I do sing, and if I could sing a couple of songs with Brooks & Dunn, I’d love that.
What’s your theme song for 2024?
Unstoppable by SIA.
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