Nicola “Nicki” Riettie.
Nicola “Nicki” Riettie, a Parkland-based Realtor and fitness enthusiast, is advancing toward the Top 10 in the 2026 Ms. Health & Fitness competition, using the national platform to advocate for children and families battling cancer.
The competition supports the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, a nonprofit that provides financial and emotional assistance to families of children with cancer while funding pediatric cancer research.
The national winner will be featured on the cover of Muscle & Fitness Hers, receive a $20,000 prize, and gain a platform to promote health and resilience.
For Riettie, 57, the journey is about more than a title.
“I grew up settling for mediocrity,” Riettie said. “When I moved to the United States 26 years ago, I realized that if I was willing to do the work, I could achieve far more than I ever imagined.”
She said that mindset has shaped both her real estate career and her personal fitness journey. Training under Coach Ron Tal El at Crunch Fitness – Coral Ridge, Riettie focuses on strength and long-term health. Among her milestones is holding a dead hang for more than two minutes, which she calls symbolic of perseverance.
“At 57, I can hang from a bar for over two minutes,” she said. “For me, that’s symbolic. It reminds me that I can hold on, even when things are uncomfortable, difficult, or uncertain.”
Riettie credits her faith as central to her growth.
“The potential inside of me is something God placed there,” she said. “To never even try to realize it would feel like ingratitude.”
Nicola “Nicki” Riettie.
Her advocacy is also personal. Her nephew, diagnosed with cancer at age 12, is now a survivor and athlete.
“His care would not have been possible without support,” she said. “That’s why raising awareness and helping families through the B+ Foundation matters so much to me.”
If she wins the title just weeks before turning 58, Riettie said she hopes it sends a message to women of all ages.
“Winning would represent far more than a crown or a cover,” she said. “It would show women everywhere that we do not have to shrink with age. We can become stronger, bolder, and more confident in every season of life.”
As the competition narrows, Riettie continues training and sharing her journey with supporters in Parkland and Coral Springs.
“This isn’t about perfection,” she said. “It’s about refusing to shrink.”
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