About
My journey started at nearly 300 pounds, struggling with my health, confidence, and mental well being. I had reached a point where my weight was affecting more than just my appearance. It was affecting my opportunities, my happiness, and the way I saw myself. I knew something needed to change, but I didn't know exactly how to make that happen.
What changed my life wasn't finding the perfect workout or diet. It was learning how to change my own mind.
I started intentionally putting myself in situations that challenged the way I thought. I went to the gym every day, not because I loved working out, but because I wanted to become someone who didn't have to fight himself just to show up. Some days I trained hard. Other days I simply walked for 30 minutes. The goal wasn't always physical progress. It was teaching my mind that showing up was just something I did.
I surrounded myself with information, changed what I watched and followed online, and made learning about health and personal growth part of my everyday life. Without fully realizing it at the time, I was creating an environment that encouraged me to become the person I wanted to be.
Eventually, I went from hating the gym to hating not going. Walking turned into running my first 5K, and I learned that getting stronger wasn't just about pushing harder. It was also about understanding recovery, changing my relationship with food, and recognizing that real progress starts with the way we think.
That realization became the foundation of Fortis Nexus LLC, or simply Fortis. Fortis means strong in Latin, and our motto, Strong Mind. Strong Body., represents the belief that mental strength comes first. When we change the way we think, we begin changing what we're capable of doing.
Through Fortis Essentials, I want to create clothing that makes people of every shape and size feel comfortable and confident. I know what it's like to feel uncomfortable walking into a gym, and I want our clothing to help remove even one of those barriers. Through Fortis Fit and the future Fortis Fit Family, I want to bring people together to challenge themselves, push beyond what they thought was possible, and grow stronger together.
But my vision for Fortis goes beyond clothing and physical fitness. My long term goal is to develop programs and eventually centers focused on mental strength, personal growth, and understanding how to overcome the thoughts and habits that hold us back. Physical challenges, movement, education, and psychology can all play a role, but the foundation will always be the mind. I also hope to support mental health services for children and adults as the business grows.
I'm still on my own journey. I'm still learning, still growing, and still challenging the part of myself that wants to quit. I don't have all the answers, but I've learned that we don't have to stay the person we've always been. Sometimes changing your life starts with finding small ways to change your mind.
Strong Mind. Strong Body.
That's what Fortis stands for.
Nick
Founder & Owner, Fortis Essentials