Nikolai's journey in the fitness industry began in 1995 when he was mentored by Willie Austin and world champion, drug-free power lifter Andrew "Bull" Stewart, both amazing trainers and athletes in the top of their fields. Their influence as well as later training and influence by kettlebell experts Tom Corrigan and Master of Sport Mikhail Marshak laid the groundwork for what would become Nikolai's own successful career.

From humble beginnings, his road to owner of one of largest kettlebell clubs in the world and designer of the patent-pending Pro Kettlebell - an ergonomic, comfortable and higher-functioning kettlebell that promotes and rewards proper technique - has been a long one but worth the sweat.

Nikolai was awarded the Washington USAPL Coach of Year in 2014, holds personal powerlifting and kettlebell national records, has personally taught thousands of people how to use kettlebells safely and for fast results, and has coached dozens of other trainers and athletes to national and world rankings and records in powerlifting and kettlebell lifting.