Featured, Fighting With Wellness, The Hueman Races, Uncategorized

The Desire To Be Successful Can Lead To Bad Mental Health

January 9, 2023

I just came from a meeting that focused on ways to address the mental health challenges amongst black men. I thought that the meeting was enlightening and much-needed. As I sat there, I began to hear the word success used in different situations. It got me thinking about what it means to be “Successful.”

I always say I’m not an expert on mental health. I have my opinions about it.

Mike Nicholson of M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness fame shares his opinion of how the drive to be successful can be detrimental to mental health and contribute to the increase in suicide a in amongst the black male demographic is pictured in coffee shop.
Mike Nicholson discusses how the need to be perceived as successful can harm one’s mental health.

If we were all to be authentic regarding our understanding of what it means to be successful, I believe most answers would resemble one another. Being deemed a success is often predicated on tangible attributes and assets that can be quantified. Most of the time, we use monetary value to decide whether someone is successful, even though we may not have direct access to their bank accounts. Most of us often determine our financial success based on purchases and career titles. However, the measurement of how successful someone is doesn’t end there; notoriety plays a part in the “how successful someone is” equation.

I hope that black men began to attribute their success to their internal happiness rather than an external societal evaluation.

Mike Nicholson

Clout is another way society has allowed to be a proper way to determine one’s value. How many people do you know and know you are acceptable to decide on people’s worth? Let me not forget that knowing the right caliber of people is also crucial in how the scales swing toward your evaluation of success; knowing the most “important people” in society and the amount you get to rub shoulders with classifies you as a success.

It’s a lot of pressure in the world to be successful. I mean, the phrase “living the ‘’American Dream” is evidence of that; it pretty much states that there is a standard that you should either meet or exceed to be considered successful in this country. If you don’t meet the bar, you are a failure.

Black men in America have often sought to prove our value outwardly. Fashion, the type of car you drove, the people you surrounded yourself with, the places you were able to go, etc. were all important in factoring whether or not you were successful; this belief is still present. As black men, we have enough environmental pressures that the pressure to keep up with the Joneses can be highly detrimental to our mental health. Conjuring up feelings of not being enough due to competition can be deadly and contribute to the increased number of suicides in our demographic.

What if I was to tell you that I believe we have what qualifies us as a success all wrong? Would you believe me? Probably not, but here goes. Success should be predicated on how happy and healthy you are and the number of healthy connections/relationships you can establish and maintain. That’s all I got for you.

I hope that black men began to attribute their success to their internal happiness rather than an external societal evaluation.

Featured, Fighting With Wellness

Central Ohio’s Largest Outdoor Dance Fitness Event is Back

August 30, 2022

Did you miss the first Lifeline of Ohio + M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness live outdoor band class this August 29, 2022? If the answer is yes, no worries, you got three more chances to join us as we continue to spread Minority Donor Awareness.

Lifeline of Ohio and M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness outdoor Live Band Class Event.

Lifeline of Ohio has been gracious to provide the community with a way to safely workout as well as fellowship while at the sametime spreading awareness about Minority Organ Donation. Our event for this year is titled “We Outside” and will go over the course of four weeks. Our outdoor class event has brought out a great deal of people from the community and has done an amazing job with helping people with their mental and physical health.

Join us as we for the next ones.

Featured, Fighting With Wellness

Columbus, Ohio’s Largest Outdoor Dance Fitness Event

June 11, 2021
Flyer for the Upcoming Outdoor Dance Fitness event with Live Band and M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness

Columbus, Ohio Release: June 11, 2021. 

For Immediate Release

On June 22, 2021, at 6:45 pmPolaris Fashion Place and M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness partner up for their Summer Sweat Series to put on the most prominent outdoor dance fitness event in Central Ohio. The location for the event will be 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240, at the Polaris Fashion Place mall parking lot in front of the main entrance. 

“Taking our hip hop class outside shows a whole  other level of how fun working out can be! The band is awesome! The class is FIRE”

Rebecca Billingslea

What makes this Dance Fitness experience different is that we are incorporating a block party feel. We have a 5 Person LIVE BAND with world-renown musicians, Food Trucks/Vendors, and the venue of one of Ohio’s largest malls, two front parking lots that are capable of accommodating 1000+ individuals. The event is FREE to the public; however, we accept donations to keep this going into the Fall months.

List of Food Trucks/Vendors

Last year was life-changing for everyone around the world on so many levels. I don’t think anyone could have ever imagined the whole country going into quarantine for almost a year, but it happened. People lost jobs, businesses, and time with their loved ones. All the things we typically take for granted because they usually are just there for us were all of sudden out of reach. Aside from losing our connection with the outside world, many of us suffered mental and physical setbacks; this is where our partnership with Polaris Fashion Place and LifeLine of Ohio last year became impactful for the community.

Together LifeLine of Ohio, Polaris Fashion Place, and M. Nicholson Hip Hop Fitness brought the community out safely and beneficially; we started a fitness event at Polaris Fashion Place entitled “The Movement,” in which we had 500+ in attendance. This event allowed people to get out for an hour and connect with the outside world working out. It also allowed for LifeLine of Ohio, another outlet for organ donor awareness and community involvement. Us doing these things allowed for people to get better physically and mentally. We’ve had an overwhelming amount of people tell us how doing these series of classes helped them out with their depression and get into shape. “The Movement” also enabled the various food trucks/vendors that we had out to benefit financially. We are looking forward to doing this again but even bigger this time around. 

Featured, The Hueman Races

First Episode of HUEMAN

January 14, 2021

Here is the first episode of The HUEman Races. I still have quite a ways to go but this is a start. I would love for you to feel free and check it out and to also let me know what you think. Much love and success in this New Year.

Featured, Fighting With Wellness, Uncategorized

All Together

January 19, 2024

A lot of changes occurred last year. A new #Nicholson #kid #newJob and #AlltheKidAreTogetherFulltime

All the Nicholson siblings together

I just gotta take a moment to appreciate the fullness of this house! As a father who’s ridden life’s roller coaster, the dips and twists shook my very soul. I’m now looking around at the faces of my three incredible kids, all under one roof, and man, my heart is full.

Like most people, life has thrown me a series of curve balls. There were days I wasn’t sure I’d make it through, but here I am. I got my eldest, at 17, navigating the edge of adulthood, a six-year-old with enough energy to power the city, and a four-month-old blessing who laughs and it’s like sunlight breaking through the darkest clouds.

You see, it’s not just about making it through, it’s about holding on to those tiny moments.

Uncategorized

Choir Directing

January 18, 2024

As folk in the choir could tell you…. The way we practiced the song in rehearsal… Ain’t the way we did it in rehearsal.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1h6LogREHB/?igsh=MXhoYXZ6OTI4aWRqbg==

After 16 years of leading choirs in Brooklyn, New York and central Ohio, I’ve found that being a gospel choir director has shaped me into a leader that has the ability to solve problems, not just within the realm of worship but as a thriving entrepreneur in the broader spectrum of the workplace too.

As a traditional gospel choir director, I tend to not direct the song according to the original recording. Almost every opportunity to worship, I go with the present benvelent energies. Meaning that while I have a frame of reference my problem solving skills allow me to make whatever adjustments necessary on the fly. Seconds matter, bringing that same energy to your business or office as I have to the altar.

Being an entrepreneur is about conducting your vision, rallying your resources, and navigating challenges with the same grace and control as guiding a choir through a Sunday morning or afternoon (depending upon your denomination.

Featured, Fighting With Wellness, Uncategorized

Small Businesses need your Money / Support, not your Nostalgia.

January 8, 2023

If you love or like a business and want to continue to make memories, the best way to ensure that continues is by SUPPORTING said business. It’s that simple. You can patronize that business or possibly invest in it in other ways. Your fond memories won’t pay the bills, make sure that they pay employees, put food in the mouths of business owners’ families, etc.

I’ve talked to a few entrepreneurs that had to shut their businesses down, especially after Covid hit and the patrons thinned. One thing they all shared was when they posted, or the news got out via word of mouth that the business may have to shut down shop, they were flooded with “Oh, you can’t close because I have so many fond memories there….” These former business owners also shared that those same people hadn’t been seen in years nor during the last weeks/days, and they all wanted to know, “WHERE WERE YOU?”

Continue to support the businesses you love and may want your children’s children to experience.

Featured, The Hueman Races, Uncategorized

Divorce and the kid connect

January 5, 2023

Divorce isn’t easy. Relationships take a lot of effort and energy to develop and maintain. So when a union ends, it can take a huge negative toll on all parties involved. While breaking up with someone that you believed you loved at one time is hard, it gets more challenging for those that have kids in the mix.

When you get a divorce from your partner, and you have no kids, it may be challenging to do, but you can cut all ties with one another sooner than later (well, that is if you don’t have to pay alimony). One or both parties can go on with their respective lives and eventually function as though their marriage never existed, but when you have kids with your ex, you are connected forever!

When a couple with kids divorces one another, they still have to (in most instances) co-parent. Effective co-parenting often involves coming to agreements on how you are going to raise your children. If your child is involved in theatre, sports, and other extra-curricular activities, most times, they want both parents there to support them. For birthday parties and some holidays, the kid(s) may wish to the both of their biological parents there.

When your children become older and have a family, they have new decisions to make. Your kid(s) now have to figure out what they want their holiday schedule to be. Your child may also have to decide with the recommendation of their parents.

No matter how you feel about your former spouse, if you have children together, you’ll always be connected. It’s up to both parents to be mature enough to co-parent for the sake of their children effectively. You have to be unselfish and put your kids first. Your children shouldn’t have to be burdened with whether or not they will make you upset because they invited your ex (their parent) to the Barbeque.

The Hueman Races, Uncategorized

Part 1: No Validation for Me

August 31, 2022

Validation is something I’ve learned to live without. Some people need affirmation, and that’s perfectly fine. In situations where the proper credit is not given, I’ll mention it and continue to move forward. I believe that the desire to be validated can hinder your growth.

I learned not to be driven by validation because if you are and don’t receive it, you tend to stop.

Most people I know don’t realize how talented I am. A very small demographic knows what I am fully capable of, and that’s my doing. In the past, I’ve had relationships that would sour due to accolades I’d received; some would vocalize their disdain by saying ”…you’re always showing off…” while others would become dismissive. I began to dull my shine and decided I didn’t need validation.

In situations where I was a key or leading factor in achieving great success, and the recognition undeservingly went to someone else, I’d make my frustration known, not because of the need for validation but because the person who accepted it lied. I would then continue to proceed with the work. People would constantly ask me why I continue to put myself in these situations, and I would simply state, “…because the work needs to get done.”

I’ve learned that you should never dull your shine for others to gleam. I also learned that in some cases, the need for validation to people is like gas/alternative fuel source to a car; if you don’t have enough, you slow down and eventually stop moving.

Uncategorized

Tiger Lily Hidden Treasure

August 22, 2022

Whenever I am in a new city most folk in my circle know that I love to explore my surroundings in order to find food. So of course I do some exploring in the city in which I currently reside on the regular, if you have a chance check out some of reviews on Yelp and you will understand how serious I take my food. Asian cuisine is one of my ultimate favorites, so when I found a kind of asian fusion spot off of Gay st called Tiger Lily in columbus, Ohio, I had to try it.

My first visit to Tiger Lily was when I was walking around the city with my family. We were hungry but weren’t quite feeling the food selections that were available. My wife and I were however thirsty. We passed Tiger Lily and I looked into the windows and it seemed really quaint and cool. I beckoned to my that we go inside and check it out. She wasn’t in the mood for Asian food at the moment so in went in to get something for us to drink. I purchased 3 of their fruity iced teas and

Featured, Uncategorized

You’re not a failure

August 16, 2022

You may have failed, but you’re not a failure.

I’ve had situations occur in my lifetime where I felt as though because something didn’t go as planned, I was a failure. Thinking this way seeped into every aspect of my day to day.

Mike Nicholson in Downtown Columbus

Anything that didn’t pan out in my #favor, I attributed it to me being a failure, even the things that I wasn’t responsible for.

Soon I began to believe that I could not do anything right. When the things I did do turned out to be a success, I somehow made it into a big fail. For example, I sold out a 500-person event, but it was a failure because I should have found a venue to accommodate 1,500 and sold that out.

I was constantly beating myself up.

One day decided to look up the #definition of failure. I read that it meant a lack of success. I then sat down and took an inventory of my past achievements and deemed that I was not a failure because I’ve had quite a few wins.

Whatever I may have failed at didn’t justify me attaching the label of #failure to my #brand.