Nicole had her surgery in January of 2013.

"I chose surgery because I couldn't exercise because my joints hurt so bad,” she said. “It was a vicious cycle. I couldn't take care of my kids or career the way I wanted to. I was shy."

She started at 247 pounds. Today she’s at 143 pounds and holding. “I have normal aches and pains but nominal now.”

Nicole also started running again and races in local 5Ks and looks forward to doing a half-marathon. "I like to tell people that I am not in to compete; I'm in to finish." She also plays softball on a couple teams every season and enjoys helping her kids (ages 12 and 9) practice soccer and basketball.

"I was a teacher and now am principal of a charter school,” she said. “My biggest achievement was coming out of my shell and putting myself out there."