A couple of years ago, my father-in-law went in for what was expected to be a routine medical check. Instead, doctors discovered a widow-maker heart attack in progress, just in time.
No dramatic collapse. No fictional-scene urgency. Just a quiet, terrifying truth revealed before it was too late.
That is only one story about how heart health has impacted our family and extended loved ones.
It reminded me how often heart disease moves silently, especially in women, especially in people who don’t “fit the picture.”
It reminded me that awareness saves lives. Timing matters. Listening matters. Advocacy matters.
Latest Scoop from Nikki's She Shed!
I’m honored to share that I’ve been nominated for the 2026 American Heart Association Woman of Impact campaign.
This campaign exists for one reason: to change the story of women’s heart health. Cardiovascular disease is still the leading cause of death for women, and too many warning signs are dismissed, misread, or missed altogether.
For me, this work is personal.
The Woman of Impact campaign runs nationally from February 6 through April 9, 2026. During that time, nominees (like me) and their teams (of people like you) work to support the American Heart Association’s mission through fundraising and education, following strict guidelines to ensure fairness, integrity, and focus on impact.
Right now, this is an announcement of intention and purpose, not a fundraising ask.
As the campaign unfolds, I’ll be sharing stories, resources, and conversations centered on prevention, education, and the lives that can be changed when we pay attention sooner rather than later.
This nomination is an honor.
The mission is the point.
And the impact, I hope, will ripple far beyond one season.