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Kayla Nicole has worn many hats over the years. She’s a podcast host, model, entrepreneur, and former WAG, yet admits that balancing it all can feel overwhelming. “The life of an entrepreneur means there’s no real day-to-day schedule,” she tells PEOPLE. “That’s probably the hardest part for me.”

Over the past two years, as she has built her The Pre-Game With Kayla Nicole podcast and her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, Nicole has found herself constantly in the spotlight. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a degree in broadcast journalism, she worked in sports media, covering major NFL and NBA games for ESPN and Barstool. Her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce brought her additional attention, especially after their breakup in 2022. When Kelce began dating Taylor Swift, public scrutiny around Nicole intensified, often fueled by social media speculation.

Nicole admits that the media attention can be draining. “Sometimes I’ll click on an article because the headline is so sensationalized, and then I realize it barely reflects the truth,” she says. “It’s pretty disheartening.” To cope, she has chosen to keep her romantic life private and focus on her mental health. “I credit therapy for a lot,” she explains. “Being a public figure isn’t easy, but therapy, fitness, and wellness routines have really helped me through hard times.”

Her personal growth journey also inspired her to rebrand her wellness platform from Strong Is Sexy to Tribe Therepē in an effort to merge physical and mental well-being. “I learned that when I prioritize my mental health, my physical health naturally follows,” she says.

Surrounded by a supportive community of friends and followers, Nicole finds strength in staying authentic despite public chatter. “Peace is way more valuable than perception,” she says. “I can’t control the headlines, only how I respond to them.”

Recently, she’s ventured into fashion, debuting at New York Fashion Week, which she describes as another form of storytelling. “You don’t have to have money to have style,” she says.

Through her podcast, Nicole continues to share honest, engaging conversations on culture, relationships, and personal growth. Her dream guest? Oprah. “Building community is something I truly value,” she concludes, “and I’m just getting started.”