Q&A with an inspiring woman, presented by Husker Auto Group: Nicole Kubik

Who has inspired you?

It is really hard to pick just one person who has inspired me. I continue to be inspired on a daily basis, not just by adults, but also by the student-athletes I get to work with through sports. I’m inspired watching kids overcome their fears and try new things. I’m inspired by the way they navigate the pressures of social media and still continue to grow, compete, and support one another.

What book or podcast is currently inspiring you?

Social media. Not one specific book or podcast, but I love scrolling through social media and listening to or reading posts from a variety of former coaches, current coaches, and athletes talking about their experiences. Hearing different perspectives and stories helps me continue learning and growing.

The Inspire Women’s Leadership platform launched Inspire Girls. What advice would you give them?

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy the journey. Don’t get so caught up in the end result that you forget to have fun along the way. Create as many experiences as you can, take chances, and make memories. Some of the best moments in life happen in the process, not just at the finish line.

How can we better inspire, include, and invest in others in our community?

Continue to tell stories. When people can relate to the experiences others have gone through, it can have a positive impact on their lives. Stories help people feel connected, understood, and inspired in ways that sometimes nothing else can.

What does leadership mean to you?

Everyone is a leader. They are either leading in a positive way or a negative way. Leaders are not perfect, and nobody gets it right all the time. The goal is to try to lead in a positive way as often as possible and understand that your actions can influence the people around you every day.

What is your favorite inspirational quote or motto?

“A genuine friend encourages and challenges us to live out our best thoughts, honor our purest motives, and achieve our most significant dreams.” – Dan Reiland.

How would you describe a great day?

A great day for me is any day I get to see the excitement from a kid who achieved something they didn’t think was possible. Watching someone gain confidence in themselves, overcome a challenge, or accomplish a goal they once doubted is incredibly rewarding.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and who gave it to you?

Brett Schuster, co-worker: “While state championships have become a standard for our program, we must remember that for these athletes, this is a first. We owe it to them to match their energy and treat this championship with the same reverence and excitement we felt for our own first title. Let’s ensure the experience is as monumental for them as it was for us.”

This helps keep me focused on helping kids create experiences and memories that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

What’s the biggest challenge or adversity you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?

When I think about my biggest challenges or adversity, anything I could come up with seems very minor in comparison to a lot of the stories I have heard from others. I have been very fortunate to stay healthy while playing competitive sports, work with great people, and have a family that is very close and supportive of one another. Those things have helped me stay grounded and appreciative through both challenges and successes.