28-Days-to-Lean Meal Plan

With the right plan and the right discipline, you can achieve a seriously lean physique in just 28 days.

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Nicole Young’s public persona exudes polish and poise—hallmarks of her role on Netflix’s Selling Sunset. Yet beneath the glamour lies a professional edge rooted in something far less curated: grit. Long before luxury real estate and television became her daily reality, Young was an elite athlete raised in a household where perseverance was not a slogan, but a non-negotiable standard.

“If at first you don’t succeed, get back up—again and again and again,” she says. “Even if you’re not the biggest or strongest, you can win by being the most determined.”

This mindset, forged in childhood through springboard diving and gymnastics, has translated into a career that thrives under pressure—whether navigating multimillion-dollar real estate deals or national television narratives. “It’s not just about staying busy; it’s about moving with intention,” Young notes of the real estate industry. “We’re here to provide service and value to clients. Too often, egos take over—people fixate on their own accomplishments instead of asking, ‘What am I contributing?’”

Young recently spoke with Muscle & Fitness (M&F) about the lessons behind her mental toughness, how she balances brand-building with groundedness, and why true strength at this stage of her life hinges as much on what she rejects as what she pursues. From her core wellness routines to her evolving views on purpose and visibility, she outlines the principles driving her next chapter—and the ones she will never compromise.

From Athlete to Agent: The Foundation of Resilience

Before closing megadeals or navigating on-set dynamics for Netflix, Nicole Young was competing—often against herself. Gymnastics, springboard diving, track workouts: athletics were never merely extracurriculars. They were a lens through which she learned work ethic, pressure, and purpose.

“My parents were both collegiate athletes,” Young explains. “Sports were central to my life from the start, and they taught me that even without natural gifts, you can outwork everyone else to win.”

This belief became her “operating system”—one that carried her from athletic ambition to real estate acclaim.

Young does not romanticize competition; she respects it. She credits her sports background with building the endurance that lets her thrive in high-stress, high-visibility environments without breaking. Los Angeles real estate is cutthroat enough; add a global audience dissecting her choices, and confidence alone isn’t enough—it demands internal calibration.

“What I learned on the mat and diving board wasn’t about medals—it was about mastering mindset,” she says. “We’re taught to shake off failure and try again. Fall, get up. Mess up, work harder.” This feedback loop remains her career compass: lost clients, delayed deals, scrutinized TV scenes—all become data, not drama.

Discipline Over Aesthetics: The Routine Behind the Glow

Scroll through Nicole Young’s Instagram, and you’ll see the expected markers of success: skyline views, curated outfits, a polish that suggests effortlessness. But behind the scenes, she thrives on discipline, not aesthetics. Her schedule is far from chaotic—it runs on a rhythm that prioritizes energy over appearance.

“If it’s not in my calendar, it doesn’t exist,” she says. This is no throwaway line—it’s a mantra. Between property showings, filming, branding, and personal life, Young carves out time to control what she can: sleep, hydration, and a consistent evening workout—even when the day goes off-track.

Her go-to routine? An intense cycling cardio session followed by mat Pilates, often late at night. “I can’t hold a conversation on that bike—no way,” she laughs. “But sweating through a hardcore workout, no matter how short, is vital. It’s not about chasing a look; it’s about keeping my mind clear and calm.”

Nutrition follows the same intentionality. As a dedicated plant-based eater, Young preps fridge-ready meals in advance or relies on trusted brands like Urban Remedy to keep her diet clean and simple. “Nothing’s worse than being stuck in a car all day, starving, with no healthy options,” she says. “My approach isn’t about restriction—it’s about readiness.”

Mental Fitness: The Unseen Pillar of Strength

In a culture obsessed with visible results, Young cares more about what’s invisible. While she still prioritizes physical work—for her body, brand, and health—mental fitness underpins everything. “Physical strength takes a backseat to mental strength,” she asserts. “Determination will take you further than anything else.”

This belief is not abstract; it shapes how she processes feedback, manages conflict, and stays grounded in environments designed to test composure. For reality TV, this composure is not just an asset—it’s essential. “There’s the real world, and there’s the reality TV world,” she says. “Oftentimes, they’re vastly different.”

Young doesn’t pretend balancing these worlds is easy. But she has learned to separate her self-worth from her on-screen storyline—a distinction between performance and identity. “I have to be mentally tough to stay true to who I am when so many people project their ideas of me onto me,” she says.

To stay sharp, she starts each day with “brain games”—quick, targeted mental exercises to activate her neurons before the day’s demands pile up. “It gets my synapses firing,” she explains. “If I have a big day ahead, I need to be clear-headed and focused.” It’s one more way she trains for the long game—one that’s less about public perception and more about self-perception.

Authenticity Over Acclaim: Staying True in a Spotlight

As her profile has risen, so has the temptation to “play to the crowd.” But Young has made a deliberate choice to resist. Instead, she doubles down on authenticity, trusting that her true self will always outperform the version others expect. “My dad told me as a kid: ‘Other people’s opinions of you are none of your business,’” she recalls. “That stuck with me.”

This is not arrogance—it’s agency. Young believes modern strength means embracing complexity, especially as a woman in spaces that reward simplicity and spectacle.

Part of that strength comes from openness to unexpected opportunities. Initially hesitant to join Selling Sunset, she eventually saw the value in saying “yes.” “Being open unlocked more possibilities than I imagined,” she says. The result was not just visibility, but growth—a way to expand her platform without sacrificing her values.

The Next Chapter: Rooted in What Works

As Young maps her future—with ambitions extending beyond Selling Sunset and real estate—she remains anchored in the principles that have guided her: structure, resilience, and a clear sense of self. “At the end of the day, your integrity is the only thing that lasts,” she says. “Everything else comes and goes.”

For Young, strength is not about perfection. It’s about showing up, staying true, and turning every challenge into a lesson—whether on the diving board, in a boardroom, or on a TV set. And that’s a plan she’ll never deviate from.