Nicholas' love for martial arts began while watching Saturday afternoon Kung Fu movies as a boy, but his journey didn't begin until much later. Just before graduating from Texas A&M in 1998, he began training in traditional Goshin Ryu Jiu Jitsu under his friend and former college roommate, Sensei Aaron Gerdes. He was able to achieve the rank of blue belt in just over a year, but was unable to continue training as Sensei Gerdes graduated in 1999 and the two began living in separate cities.

After graduating in 1998, Nicholas moved back to Houston and was searching for a new gym to train and workout in when he met Marc Golubic, senior student under Master Jeff Bolt. He began learning Yang Tai Chi from Marc and was with him for just over a year when he left and began formal study of Northern Long Fist and Southern White Crane under Master Bolt in 1999. He was with Master Bolt until he officially closed his school. During his time at Master Bolt's school, he met his classmate and now teacher, Master Michael Aronson.

Under instruction from Master Aronson, Nicholas has also learned traditional Shaolin Kung Fu, Nine Bird Pa Kwen with emphasis on Falcon, and some Northern Eagle Claw.

Nicholas attained the rank of Sibok in November 2013 and is the senior most student under Master Aronson.