American Triathlete Chris Nikic Presents the “1% Better Challenge” during Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series

American Triathlete Chris Nikic Presents the "1% Better Challenge" during Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series

The Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series welcomed American Triathlete, speaker, and author Chris Nikic today, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 as its latest celebrity guest speaker. During a passionate speech Nikic and his father spoke about the process he went through to accomplish the incredible feat of completing Ironman with his 1% Better system. 

KALAMAZOO, MICH (October 25, 2023) Zeigler Auto Group welcomed American Triathlete, speaker, and author Chris Nikic as its latest celebrity presenter for its Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series. Zeigler's highly successful and long-running Zeigler University Guest Speaker Series invites entrepreneurs, athletes, innovators and leaders across different industries to share their stories and points of view with the Zeigler team.

During his presentation, the world-class athlete explained, alongside his father Nik Nikic, what it took for him to complete his first Ironman triathlon and become the only person in the world with Down Syndrome to complete the race.

For Chris it all started with three big goals he wanted to accomplish in life: buy his own house, make his own money, and marry a hot blonde. His father Nik knew he had his work cut out for him but nothing was impossible. He advocated for his son with coaches that could train him for his first athletic events to ensure he was given a fair shot at achieving his dreams.

Nik talked about the one quality the top performers in the world have, and that's grit. To him grit is associated with mental toughness, and the number one barrier to building mental toughness is pain. However, achievement through mental toughness could be built up by gradually forming habits, 1% at a time. 

Usually when working with other top performers at his consultancy business, the formula was simple: build a success habit. This is usually done by establishing a goal, an action plan, maintaining consistency, and nurturing the habit long-term.

However, with Chris, his father had to reframe his thoughts, ask different questions, and look at things from another perspective. He took into account Chris' unique learning style, learning rate, and superpowers--crafting a plan that would better align to these factors.

When working with Chris, Nik realized that his 1% system worked well for other neurodivergents, even on the opposite side of the spectrum. He describes the pain threshold of someone with autism and compares that with that of his son with Down Syndrome. For Chris having Down Syndrome, this meant he had a near zero pain threshold compared to others. This was a challenge, however, it didn't mean it wasn't impossible. 

By mapping out a plan of attack and working with his strengths instead of focusing on his perceived weaknesses, Nik was able to help Chris train and complete the Ironman in two years.

"Chris Nikic was an amazing speaker with an unbelievable story! It was truly inspirational to meet him, hear him speak, and also hear from his father, who has been beside him throughout his entire journey. Every single one of us can do 1% better, every day. So simple, and yet so true! I am so proud to be part of an organization that chooses to showcase inspirational speakers of this quality. To host inspiration to anyone on the team, free of charge, simply for the benefit of our professional and personal selves is absolutely amazing. Thank you."

Jessica Wallace-Uckele, Team Recruiter & Talent Scout

"Chris Nikic was one of the most inspirational speakers I've had the pleasure of witnessing. He and his dad Nik filled my heart with fire and got my tear ducts pumping.  They did an amazing job of providing me with some perspective on accomplishing my goals as well as what it means to be included.  My favorite messages were "I DON'T DO EXCUSES!", "My Dream was bigger than My Obstacles", and "Fake Pain vs. Real Pain".  It was another excellent example of Zeigler going above and beyond to invest in their team.  I feel incredibly privileged each time I get to see our guest speakers sharing their stories.  Keep 'em coming!"

 Dick Barker, Brand Performance Manager, MB of Hoffman Estates Performance Manager

While going through training, his father could see Chris was changing, he was learning skills faster and remembering things better. That was because according to research, exercise helps create new brain cells. Besides this, his mental toughness and grit had improved. When he completed his first Ironman his pain threshold was at a 2, today his father places it at a 5 with plans to help him keep improving every day. 

The Ironman training he does for Chris and other neurodivergent athletes is aimed at helping them become self-sufficient by using the Triathlon as a vehicle to improve their health and energy, physical skills, social skills, cognitive memory, decision making, and confidence. 

As for Chris, he says his main focus is promoting inclusion for everyone. Today he is an Adidas athlete, with his own shoe, a Guiness World Book record-holder, a Laureus Global Sports Moment of the Year award winner, and a two-time ESPYs award winner. His advocacy work has led to the Ironman announcing a new Runner321 ID category for neurodivergent athletes, and he hopes this becomes the standard across all major races.He has completed the Boston, NYC, Tokyo, Londo, Berlin and Chicago marathons.

He was also very proud to announce that Goal one and two from his Three Life's Goal list is now complete, having purchased his own home recently, and now making his own money doing speaking engagements like today's special presentation.

About Zeigler University 

Zeigler University is an internal leadership and development program within the Zeigler Automotive Group organization dedicated to attracting, training, and retaining the best talent in the industry.

The program includes one-on-one mentoring, strategic recruiting; and programs such as the Zeigler University Speaker Series which focuses on bringing in entrepreneurs, athletes, innovators, and leaders across different industries, to share their stories and points of view with the Zeigler team. Past celebrity guest speaker appearances include Grant Cardone, Bill Rancic, PJ Fleck, and more.

About Zeigler Auto Group

Zeigler Automotive Group is one of the largest privately-owned dealer groups in the U.S. with 84 franchises across 41 locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Vehicle brands represented include all of the domestic and the majority of the imported manufacturers.

Besides its extensive automotive portfolio, the organization owns and operates Zeigler Motorsports, an 85,000-square-foot motorsports dealership and action park, offering 19 different powersports brands, plus its own onsite restaurant: Trak Houz Bar & Grill. Additionally, Zeigler Motorsports houses the Elevate Leadership & Team Building Academy, an executive training company.

The Kalamazoo-based dealer group also owns and operates Zeigler Pre-Owned of Chicago, three Byrider franchises, three finance companies, several insurance firms, and a leasing firm.

Founded in 1975, the organization employs over 2,500 people, ranking among the top 1% of automotive dealers in the nation with estimated annual sales of $2.2 billion for 2022.

The family-owned and operated company is well known for its commitment to both customer service and employee satisfaction. Zeigler is regularly recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in the Nation, also earning similar accolades in Wisconsin, Chicago, and Michigan. Besides these prestigious accolades, Zeigler is also one of Glassdoor's 100 Best Places to Work in the U.S. for 2023, and among Glassdoor's top 10 U.S. companies for work-life balance.