Beyond Mom Nikki Ostrower is a nutritional expert and the proud owner of a brand new wellness center called NAO Wellness. They offer nutritional counseling, infrared sauna, Vitamin-IV treatments, and a slew of amazing workshops taught by renowned industry experts on everything from healthy cooking to body positive for adults and kids. Nikki is extremely connected to her life mantra of healthy living. Her connection to her work runs deep and she is thrilled to have turned her passion into her purpose with the center. In this interview she shares how mantras, chants and meditation fit into her daily wellness rituals. Nikki also reveals the challenges and joys she has experienced since her daughter entered her life.
What makes you a Beyond Mom?
That’s such a humbling question. Being a mom really is the hardest job there is—and it’s also the most rewarding. I’d be lying if I said hustling through a full day of clients on an hour or two of sleep is fun, but I’ve experienced a new side of myself that I’m very proud of. Growing my business and raising Emma are both wildly demanding, but I’ve learned to stretch myself in new ways in both cases, and most importantly, to ask for help. It really does take a village, and I’m lucky enough to have amazing teams at work and at home.
My husband Matt should definitely get a “Beyond Dad” award for taking on more than his share as I’ve planned my NAO Wellness Center launch. He was unfortunately out of work for an extended period of time, but having him home to help out with Emma and to partner with me in this very big next phase of my business turned out to be a miracle. None of it would be possible without his support.
I think still staying true to my goals and dreams (opening a wellness center here in NYC) and my core values (living health and wellness as a daily practice) when I would’ve been justified to let it all slide as a new mom, is perhaps what makes me a Beyond Mom. Self-care has been my savior. It’s become a non-negotiable that I build into my routine the same way I schedule Emma’s activities. Otherwise, I’d be lost. It may seem counterintuitive, but I’ve learned that if you take care of yourself first, everything else falls into place.
What are the parts of you that have grown and expanded since becoming a Mom?
So much has changed since Emma came into our lives. She’s such a bright light of joy. Her smile is the only thing that makes the sleepless nights bearable. Beyond the logistics, there are massive mental and spiritual shifts that I continue to experience. Being the sole provider while nursing Emma—who wasn’t taking a bottle—was rough. It was and still is very tempting to get resentful, angry, and take out my exhaustion and frustrations on those around me. But, I keep learning to put self-care first for sanity’s sake, and to rely on that village I mentioned—my husband, my team, Emma’s nanny, my mom, other moms, friends, mentors, etc.
Without a doubt, I’ve learned to take deep breaths, be patient, and ask for help. I’ve learned that I can gently push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of before, but I’ve also learned to reach out for support when I need it instead of trying to do it all myself, which just sets me back. I’ve also learned selflessness and generosity—not just with Emma and Matt, but with myself. It’s not about me anymore, yet I know I need to care for myself to care for Emma in the way that she deserves. I’m still a work in progress, but the more aware I am, the better I become at letting go of the little things and staying focused on the bigger ones. It’s easy to get caught up in the worry and fear as a mom—especially in the fast paced world we live in, and ESPECIALLY in the hyper fast pace of New York. So, stopping to acknowledge how much I have to be grateful for on a daily basis continues to make a huge difference.
Can you share a collaboration/success story with another woman; what helped the collaboration become successful?
Two collaborations come to mind here. The first is with my brand strategist, Sabrina Cohen (www.word-ology.com). We’ve been working together for years now and have become great friends. I think it works well because we respect and complement each other’s strengths. She really gets my thinking, my passion about wellness, and helps bring my creative vision to life. The second is Susi Manheimer, a massage therapist and close friend who owns two renowned spas in Connecticut (Susi Laura massage therapy). We met back in college at Binghamton and kept in touch as we joined the workforce here in New York. I’ll never forget the day we promised each other we’d find a way out of the rat race. She was totally miserable at a law firm and I was equally miserable grinding it out at Ricoh, selling copiers and software solutions.
She’s now happily married with two kids and two wildly successful massage spas in Connecticut. I similarly connected to my true path and purpose—owning my own health and wellness company. That’s what led to my career in nutrition and what is now NAO Wellness. We’re still friends and still reminding each other to stay aligned to our purposes today.
What relationships help you stay connected to yourself?
I’ve been lucky enough to cultivate very close friends from different places and phases of my life over the years. Some have stuck with me since my crazy college days and others are more recent mom friends or entrepreneurs. Life is too hectic now for anything frivolous, so I only spend time with people who share similar views and values. As moms, our time is too valuable for relationships that aren’t meaningful in some way.
My mom has become one of my best friends, and raising Emma has given me a whole new level of respect and appreciation for her. She’s been there when Matt and I have needed a date night or just to give me an hour to go for a walk or treat myself to a manicure.
Having other moms to connect with has definitely kept me sane and grounded. Otherwise, you can feel very isolated. I love connecting with moms who are open and honest and supportive of each other. I also love my single girls! I just committed to a year-long workshop based on the book,
A Course In Miracles, with an intimate circle of single girlfriends who I totally relate to on a soulful level, despite being the only mom in the group.
I’ve also more recently found a great deal of support and connectedness with entrepreneurial peers and mentors. As I take on the challenges of opening my wellness center, it’s been priceless to have their counsel and camaraderie.
Do you have a ‘Beyond’ dream that you are pursuing? If so, please share…
Yes! My dream of building NAO Wellness Center in NYC has come true. I signed the lease for a space within a beautiful historic brownstone building on West 12th between 5th and 6th Avenues. It’s a safe and supportive space where busy moms and non-moms alike can come to focus on health and wellness.
We offer nutritional counseling, infrared sauna, Vitamin-IV treatments, and a slew of amazing workshops taught by renowned industry experts on everything from healthy cooking to body positive for adults and kids. You can check out the website right here!
What wellness activity can you not live without? What is one thing you do daily that balances you?
I love Infrared sauna! It’s why I’m including it as a service in my wellness center. I don’t get to go everyday, but definitely as often as I can. It helps to clear toxins from the inside out and always leaves me feeling lighter. I also love Kundalini yoga and try to go several times a week. I enjoy practicing the mantras and mudras, meant to clear and balance the chakras before meditation, and the overall combination of movement, breathing, meditation, and chanting. It’s a great spiritual and physical balance. When I can’t get to class, I’ll do simple breathing and grounding exercises at home. These practices are known to produce amazing physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, like balancing the chakras, oxygenating the system, decreasing fear and anxiety, boosting energy, and producing mood-boosting, feel-good brain chemicals.
Even a simple 5-10 minute meditation makes a difference. Another daily practice I swear by is gratitude. Even just mentally listing things I’m grateful for in a moment of stress can shift my internal conversation.
How does style influence the way you stay feeling ‘Beyond’? Who is currently your favorite designer?
My style is pretty simple and straightforward. I like to be comfortable. I love Rag and Bone. Their clothes are so versatile, and for me, that makes a world of difference. I think what I appreciate most is that I always feel fashionable AND comfortable wearing their clothes. Their jeans fit like a glove! You can dress their clothes up or down and because I’m a total bargain hunter, I love finding great deals online. You can usually find some great pieces on sale. It’s also a one-stop-shop (online) for me. I can get a great top, shoes, and accessories, and with next to no time to shop leisurely or in-store, that makes my life a hell of a lot easier.
Favorite Local Spots that Embody The Beyond Mom:
Beyond Cocktails and/or Food:
I love kombuchas and elixirs from Alchemist Kitchen, pizza at Wild, my neighborhood butcher Hudson and Charles, and Souen (a macrobiotic Japanese cafe). They all allow me to live my dream of consuming the healthiest foods available without sacrificing convenience, atmosphere, or taste.
Beyond Workout:
My workouts include Kundalini yoga classes, running along the Hudson with Emma, or meeting with my trainer at the gym in our building.
Beyond Shopping:
With limited time, I typically shop the sale racks online, namely Saks Off Fifth. I get such a kick out of not paying full price. It’s like a game to me, whether with clothes, food, activities, or travel—I’m always on the hunt for a great deal!
