Street Style: Tracy Nickelsburg

I often pinch myself when I think of how lucky I am to spend my days helping women and corporate teams find their personal brand of wellness. We live in Washington, D.C., where a job and job title are everything. When I meet someone new, naturally, one of the first questions they ask is what I do for a living. The follow-up question is usually why I love my job so much. That’s so easy to answer! I have the pleasure of connecting with others on a deeper level about their wellness.

When I shut the doors at Fitness on the Run, I wasn’t quite sure there would be many FOR folks joining me at my new company. I made it abundantly clear I was creating a wellness company and not another diet or fitness company.

When Tracy told me she planned to follow me to Alexandria Wellness (AW), I was floored and giddy. I’d always admired Tracy from afar, and we shared small talk in the gym, yet I didn’t really KNOW her. She worked with other instructors and was clearly deeply committed to her fitness. Tracy is many things, yet she is STRONG! I love strength, as you know.

Now not only do I LOVE my job, but I also have a team of talented women without whom I couldn’t steer this ship. Tracy has been a member of our team since January 2021, helping me create and manage our myriad of current and future programs. Her strong background in helping organizations, notably non-profits, and her Duke University Engineering background (go, Coach K!) have been a huge asset to our team. Getting to know her as a client and as a colleague has been a joy and helps me personally get through the “rough patch” entrepreneur days.

Tracy is a founding member of our concierge small group program, where we’ve combined the coaching and accountability of our concierge program with Personal Fitness Training into one session each week. As a result, she has discovered new - and surprising - ways to approach her wellness. As a result, Tracy has overcome chronic injury to now, at 56 years young, feeling strong(her), fitter, and more focused on her holistic wellness than ever.

I have loved getting to know Tracy as a client, colleague, and friend, and I’m so glad the Stylebook community can now get to know her too!

Photography credit: Renée C. Gage Photography

Tracy is styled by Mint Collective and Mint Condition.

ABOUT YOU

Neighborhood: Rosemont

How long have you lived in Alexandria: 22 years

What is your hometown? Carlisle, Pennsylvania

What brought you to Alexandria? Convenient access to work for my husband and me.

You’re a superhero: what’s your superpower? Teleportation

Last book read or movie seen: Movie - Power of the Dog; Book - The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

Guilty Pleasure: Cookies from Dapper Fox Bakery

Phrase you overuse: Awesome!

Facebook or Instagram? Facebook, but I rarely post.

Latest binge-watch: Severance

Bucket list travel destination: Cycling in Patagonia and Sailing in Tahiti

If you only could have one for the rest of your life: wine or coffee? Tea!

FASHION

Define your style in three words or less: Comfortable and uncomplicated

The go-to piece in your wardrobe: Everyday - my new Pistola Jeans from Mint Collective; special occasions - Brochu Walker shirtdress(es)

Favorite trend ever: Jeans anywhere

Favorite current trend: Sneakers with anything

Beauty product you can’t live without: Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation

Heels or flats? 100% Flats

HOME

Favorite room in your home: Back patio

Antiques, modern, or a mix? Mix

Last item bought for your home: Summer plants and flowers

Next planned purchase: Outdoor pillows

Favorite way to entertain: Casual backyard grilling

Clutter-free or well-lived in? Aspire to clutter-free

Wallpaper -- yes, totally modern or no, so dated: Yes

FITNESS

Your go-to work-out: Small Group sessions with Alexandria Wellness

Most fun way to exercise: Cycling

Group exercise or solo: Group

Fitness goal: Strength and mobility to lead an active life

Haven’t yet, but might be willing to try with coaching / encouragement: Pickleball

Proudest fitness achievement: Cycling the Civil War Century - 100+ miles and 4 mountain climbs!

ALEXANDRIA

Favorite spot in Alexandria: The Waterfront – it is so vibrant and welcoming!

Last purchase in Alexandria: Supergoop Daily Dose SPF 40 at Bellacara

Best coffee / happy hour / date night spot: Coffee: Misha’s; Dinner Out: Del Ray Café; Dinner in: Let’s Meat on the Avenue

Favorite local organization(s): Alexandria Seaport Foundation

Favorite annual Alexandria event: Alexandria Seaport Foundation Wine on the Water

Adrien Cotton

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Adrien Cotton believes the greatest gift you can give to yourself is the gift of wellness.

After serving in high-leverage professional roles, including being one of the youngest Communications Directors in the US House of Representatives, Adrien pivoted her career focus to helping clients capture their strength in all areas of life. She opened the first female-owned strength training gym in Old Town Alexandria in 2004, where she trained clients and managed with her partner a team of 50 for over 15 years. Adrien has since extended her services beyond exercise and nutrition, emphasizing lifestyle and high-impact areas of focus visually represented in her Wellness Wheel. Incorporating strategies in stress resilience, sleep, calendar management, mindfulness, and menopause, she’s helped transform hundreds of lives. 

Learn more about Adrien’s programs or book Adrien to speak to your group at www.AdrienCotton.com.

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