Meet Nicole Windust of Ventura

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Windust.

Hi Nicole, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For a long time, I looked like I was doing fine. I was showing up, handling responsibilities, and keeping things moving. But internally, I wasn’t okay. Around 2020, after separating from my daughter’s father, I slowly lost my sense of self. I didn’t fully recognize it at the time, but I was disconnected from my body, my needs, and my identity.
I coped by distracting myself with unhealthy choices instead of addressing what was really happening. On the outside, life continued. On the inside, my mental and physical health were quietly deteriorating. I didn’t yet understand how much support I needed, or how important it was to take care of myself first.
By the end of 2021, I reached a moment of clarity. I could see that if I kept going the way I was, the outcome wouldn’t be good for me or for the people who depend on me. That realization forced me to stop avoiding the truth. Something had to change.
In January 2022, I made the decision to step away from my environment and commit fully to my mental health. I entered treatment and spent a month in Irvine, followed by six months in San Diego. It was the first time I truly slowed down and focused on healing without distractions. The work was intense and uncomfortable, but it was necessary. I began rebuilding my foundation emotionally, mentally, and physically.
During that time, I started to understand that my mental health struggles were closely tied to my physical health. When I returned home in mid-2022, I was still healing, but I was more self-aware and more honest with myself than I had ever been. I knew I wasn’t “fixed,” but I was committed to continuing the work.
By 2024, I had reentered the workforce in hospital admitting. Ironically, while working in healthcare, my own health began to decline rapidly. I was constantly exhausted, struggling with brain fog, memory issues, and shortness of breath. I started waking up with blue lips and a sense that something was seriously wrong.
I pushed for answers and eventually completed a sleep study. The results were alarming: my brain was receiving significantly reduced oxygen while I slept, and I was stopping breathing dozens of times per hour. Despite how severe it felt in my body, I was initially told the standard solution was a CPAP machine for life. Because of anxiety, I couldn’t tolerate it even for a second, which ultimately forced the system to look deeper.
That’s when I was finally referred to an ENT. When my tonsils were examined, it became clear they were severely enlarged. I was told that removing them might help my sleep apnea, or it might not. The decision was left to me. I trusted my instincts.

In September 2024, I had my tonsils removed and everything changed. After the surgery it was discovered that they had stones and were infected in addition to being enlarged, this explained a lot of symptoms I had experienced that were dismissed previously.
Within weeks, my mental clarity returned. My energy improved. The constant sense of heaviness lifted. It felt like my body could finally function the way it was meant to. I genuinely believe that surgery saved my life. Advocating for myself made it happen.
At the time of surgery, I weighed 245 pounds. What followed wasn’t a dramatic overnight transformation, but a disciplined one. I began waking up early on the days I didn’t have my daughter and going to the gym consistently, even when I didn’t know exactly what I was doing. I chose consistency over comfort. Over time, I lost over 100 pounds with the additional help of getting educated with ingredients.
The physical change was a byproduct of something deeper: self-respect. I still live with chronic pain, but building strength and caring for my body has made it manageable. More importantly, I no longer ignore warning signs. My health is non-negotiable now, it comes first.
I had to trust myself before others fully understood what I was going through. Over time, the work spoke for itself. I rebuilt my mind, my body, and my confidence through daily choices, not quick fixes.
Today, I move through life differently. I’m more grounded, more present, and more intentional. I protect my energy, honor my boundaries, and surround myself with people who value growth and honesty. The opportunities and community that have entered my life are a reflection of the work I’ve done internally.
I’m deeply grateful, not just to be alive, but to be clear. This journey taught me how powerful it is to listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and take ownership of your healing. I’m still evolving, but I live from a place of strength, clarity, and trust in myself and everything I’m building now stands on that foundation.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road, and I don’t believe growth ever is.

There are days when my energy is low and getting out of bed takes real effort. I’m a single mother with my daughter half of the time, and balancing motherhood, finances, work, and my own healing is a constant back and forth. Time is limited, resources aren’t always abundant, and prioritizing my health often means navigating challenges that aren’t always visible from the outside.

There have been moments when work conflicted with medical appointments I genuinely needed, or when affording the healthiest food and supplements for my body felt out of reach. Those moments can be discouraging, especially when you’re actively trying to rebuild your health and stability at the same time.

Mentally, the journey has required just as much discipline. I’ve had to confront intrusive thoughts, the fear that I won’t be able to succeed, or that falling short on discipline means I’m failing again. What I’ve learned is that progress doesn’t require perfection. Falling short doesn’t erase growth, it gains strength within yourself.

One of the most important lessons along this path has been learning how to be kind to myself. Healing isn’t linear, and strength isn’t measured by never struggling, it’s measured by continuing to show up with awareness and intention. Staying conscious of my patterns, giving myself grace, and committing to growth even when it’s uncomfortable has been key to how far I’ve come.

I’m always learning. Always adjusting. And that ongoing self-awareness has become one of my greatest tools for moving forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My professional path hasn’t followed a single straight line, and as one of my greatest strengths. I’ve held many roles over the years, each one pushing me beyond limits I didn’t know I had and shaping the person I am today.

The work that has been the most fulfilling and what I currently do; caregiving for adults with autism and the elderly. My work is about service. I genuinely care about people, and I take pride in showing up in ways that make someone’s day a little easier, calmer, or brighter. Whether that means hands-on care, emotional support, or doing the unglamorous work that often goes unseen, I’m fully present in it.

What matters most to me is that the people I care for feel respected, supported, and valued. Even on days when I’m navigating challenges in my own life, I show up with intention. Knowing that someone has a caregiver who truly cares about their well-being is something I don’t take lightly.

I’m often known for my kindness, my willingness to advocate for others, and my ability to see the best in people. I’ve worked hard to lead with empathy and optimism, even when circumstances are difficult. That mindset has become one of my greatest strengths.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a title it’s who I am as a person. I bring authenticity, compassion, and self-trust into everything I do. I know who I am now, and I don’t allow others to define me. Embracing that confidence has opened doors I never imagined, including opportunities like this one.

What sets me apart is that I lead with heart and integrity. I don’t try to fit into a mold, I focus on being aligned with who I am. That alignment allows me to serve others in a meaningful way. I wouldn’t have it any other way

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next five to ten years, I believe my industry is going to be forced to evolve in a more inclusive and human-centered direction. There’s a growing awareness that talent, creativity, and intelligence don’t look one specific way—and that many voices have been overlooked simply because they didn’t fit a traditional mold.

What I want is to be part of that shift. I don’t just want to watch the industry change—I want to help shape it.

I know many people with disabilities and special needs who have extraordinary gifts: artistically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Too often, they’re underestimated or excluded, not because they lack ability, but because the system wasn’t built with them in mind. I see that as a missed opportunity, not just ethically, but creatively and culturally.

My hope is to help create spaces and platforms where individuals with special needs are not only included, but truly seen, respected, and taken seriously. I believe the future of this industry lies in expanding who gets to participate, who gets to be heard, and whose talents are valued.

If I have the opportunity to help bring those voices to the surface and be part of building something meaningful, impactful, and life-changing for others and for myself, I would step into that role wholeheartedly. That kind of work feels aligned with who I am and the direction I want my life and career to move.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: itzmeeez1

Image Credits
Elizabeth Estrada