We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brit Nardolillo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brit, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I grew up with parents who instilled confidence in me from a young age. They always made sure I knew my worth and encouraged me to go after what I wanted. But beyond that, I built my confidence by proving to myself that I could handle whatever came my way—especially when no one was holding me accountable but me.
As an adult, my confidence grew even more when I took a huge leap of faith, leaving behind a comfortable corporate job to pursue a full-time career as a fitness coach. I made this decision right before the pandemic hit—arguably the most challenging time to get break into this field. Every fitness professional at the time was doing anything and everything to stay active while being out of work because every studio shut down and no one knew if or when anything would reopen. It was such a confusing time for me because I was already struggling with making this big change, stepping into a new career with no experience, all while still working on overcoming my fear of public speaking. Every day, I had to talk myself out of quitting. I knew that if I didn’t at least try everything I could to make this happen, I’d look back and regret not following through. I had to bet on myself without needing validation or direction from anyone else.
No one really knows how difficult it was for me to get started. I didn’t fully believe I could do it, and even when I moved to Austin without a job—just hoping for an opportunity to audition anywhere that would take a chance on me and see my potential—I was terrified. When you go into the fitness industry without experience coaching, it’s really difficult, or at least it was for me, for someone to take a chance on you. I heard so many no’s—we’re not hiring, now’s not the right time, etc.—more times than I could count. But for some reason, I knew I was meant to help people become stronger, more confident, and genuinely fulfilled—and no amount of rejection was going to make me give up on that.
Once I finally got my first coaching opportunity, I committed to growing as much as I could. Every class I taught, I was terrified—but I kept going. I kept doing it scared, I kept doing it when I was uncomfortable, I kept doing it even when I wanted so badly to give up and go back to what was comfortable. But I wouldn’t let myself. I knew my purpose in life was to help others in some way, so I kept reminding myself why I was doing this and who I was doing it for. That’s what kept me mentally strong through the hardest times—times that still happen to this day.
Most recently, when I moved back to the East Coast to be closer to my family, I knew I had to start all over again. No job, no fitness community, no studios that knew anything about me. But this time I had one very important thing I didn’t have the first time: confidence. Confidence in myself and in my purpose that I had built over the last three years I lived in Austin. I came back with a completely different outlook. I knew what it took to start over, and this time, I knew what I was capable of if I didn’t quit. And that mindset has made me the most confident and resilient I have ever been.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My journey into the fitness industry started as a leap of faith—one that was fueled by the desire to create real change in my life and in the lives of others. After transitioning from the corporate world, I found my calling in helping people become physically and mentally stronger.
What I love most about what I do is seeing the transformation that happens when someone realizes their potential. Fitness isn’t just about getting stronger—it’s about learning to push through adversity, break down mental barriers, and build unshakable confidence. Every class, every coaching session, is an opportunity to inspire someone to unlock a new level of strength that they can bring into their everyday life.
I’m currently focused on expanding my reach and creating a community of people who are committed to growth, inside and outside the studio. I’ve recently begun coaching at SoulCycle and AARMY, which has provided the perfect platform to bring my vision to life. I’m excited to continue growing, evolving, and helping others do the same on their own journeys.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I would say the three most impactful qualities that shaped my journey are resilience, self-belief, and adaptability. Resilience has been key to pushing through setbacks and staying committed, even when things felt uncertain. Developing self-belief was a crucial part of stepping into the unknown—especially when I was leaving behind a corporate career to start from scratch in fitness. And adaptability has allowed me to grow and evolve, especially when working with different types of people, brands, and communities. Adjusting my approach to connect with diverse groups has been essential in creating an environment where everyone feels supported and motivated.
For those just starting their journey, my advice would be to prioritize developing these qualities early on. First, embrace resilience by viewing challenges as opportunities to grow, not obstacles. You’ll learn more from the difficult moments than you ever will from the easy ones. Second, build your self-belief by betting on yourself and taking risks—sometimes you have to act before you fully feel ready. And finally, stay adaptable. The journey won’t always go as planned, but being able to adjust to different people, environments, and communities will help you connect, thrive, and move forward.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always open to collaborating with brands that align with my values of empowerment, strength, and resilience. I’m particularly interested in brands in fitness, wellness, and lifestyle that inspire confidence and promote personal growth. If your brand shares these values, feel free to reach out via my social media (@britnardolillo).
Contact Info:
- Instagram: britnardolillo
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/brittany-nardolillo
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