Chris Nikic and his father, Nik Nikic, gave Southeast Polk teachers an unforgettable professional development session! Chris, a two-time ESPY award winner, made history as the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman and to finish all six global marathon majors. As a global ambassador for both the Special Olympics and the Ironman group, Chris embodies the power of perseverance, demonstrating the incredible results of his “1% better” philosophy. Just see below for his impressive list of accomplishments.
Together, Chris and his father co-authored the book 1% Better: Reaching My Full Potential and How You Can Too, which outlines their belief that significant achievements are built through small, daily improvements. Now Chris is a public speaker, inspiring crowds with his positive attitude and zest for life! His speech is powerful because of the way he makes you feel.
Nik shared the principles of success, coaching, and execution to achieve your full potential.
“My hope is that people realize that 1% Better is a lifestyle, one where we can all be successful because we measure success based on progress and not results. When it becomes a habit and part of your lifestyle, then anything is possible. Our hope is that it leads readers to believe they can achieve their goals and dreams.”
Their story of perseverance and incremental growth was moving and resonated deeply with our district’s mission. Much like Chris applied the 1% better mindset to achieve his personal and athletic goals, we are inspired to adopt this approach in our efforts to support the achievement of ALL students. Every small step, every intentional effort we put forth brings us closer to creating lasting and meaningful impacts.
Lea Morris, Director of Special Education, added, “It only takes one person to believe in something about someone.”
Their words reminded us of the profound impact we can have when we foster an environment of belief and growth for our students.
Reflecting on their message, one SEP special needs teacher remarked, “It was the most amazing speaker we could have brought in.”
We all left Chris’ presentation ready to embrace the challenge of making that 1% improvement each day, not only for ourselves but also for the students and community we serve. Together, we can make a difference by adopting the growth mindset and the grit to never quit.
If you think Chris is done and just going to rest on his laurels, he will be the first to tell you that you are wrong! Good luck Chris! We look forward to watching you continue to succeed!
Thanks again to Chris and Nik for inspiring us all!
Chris Nikic
Chris Nikic set a new world record by being the first Special Olympics athlete and the first person with Down Syndrome to complete a 140.6-mile Ironman. His mission is to inspire others like him to pursue their dreams and goals.
His greatest achievement is showing others how getting 1% better every day and shifting your focus from your disabilities to your abilities and pursuing your dreams with an unwavering tenacity, a positive attitude and a no-quit grit can help anyone achieve their goals. Chris has achieved the following over the last few years:
Nik Nikic
Nik is the CEO and founder of a Sales consulting firm that for 20 years helped major corporations implement the 1% Better system for sustainable continuous improvement.
Nik refined the 1% Better System with hundreds of global companies like Universal, United Airlines, Enterprise, and many others but his Greatest Coaching Achievement is Teaching his son how to achieve the impossible by getting 1% Better Every Day.
But Nik’s greatest achievement has been teaching his son Chris how to achieve his full potential and become a role model for others like him. Nik has done that by using his 1% Better system, thinking outside the box and coming up with a new model that helped Chris achieve the impossible. Now he is scaling that model to help others like Chris.
