Nicole Goss aka TheePlaybae  

Hi I am Nicole known as TheePlaybae 

I am a Play Enthusiast and Muti-prop Flow Arts Performer, Teacher of  Flow and Confidence.

For many years I was a reproductive rights activist who fought for the rights of all people to have autonomy over their reproductive health and lives, Working with sex ed coalitions and nonprofit agencies who wanted to be the change we all need. At this moment in my life, when I'm not sharing my passion for Play, I am a Professional Nanny helping people raise children to grow into adults that don't suck.

I was raised in Chicago, Illinois. I've lived in all parts, honestly, my mom was a single parent of 5, and times were definitely challenging for a single Black mom. Majority of our lives we grew up on the Southside of the city, as an adult I moved North for work and that was when I was introduced to hula hooping as an activity for adults. I went to a Zumba class at my local YMCA and had finally convinced my teenager to join me for support. The class ended and the instructor yelled out "Hula hoop class this Thursday, come back!" My daughter was so excited and was like " Mom, we have to do this!", and we did. I was horrible, I couldn't keep the hoop up at all! So in comes this woman who looks about 50yrs old and she has these giant hula hoops and she walks up and says "here, try this one." So I did and with some guidance from my daughter who said "Mom, I can't have you out here looking like that" I was able to keep the hoop going around my waist. I left that class sweaty, feeling happy, and accomplished, so much that I went home and started researching what happens to your body when you hula hoop and how to purchase one. So my journey began! I learned that hooping is equivalent to using a treadmill, fights anxiety, depression, can relieve menstrual cramps, and boost your mood! Soon I was not only hooping with my daughter but also my sister, my aunt, my brothers, and even strangers on the street! I took to my instagram as Blackgurlhoopin and began a journey that led to the play enthusiast you see today! The hoop  activated my body, mind and really has shown  me that it's the small things in life that connect us and give us purpose in life and that play is important even for adults. This led me to explore play with different props, movement and play in all different forms!

Next for TheePlayBae is an attempt at the Guinness world record for bun hooping. I am growing in my hoop and play journey every day and am training to beat that record and will be pursuing others. What I value most about the hoop community is that even though we hoop for different reasons and our paths are different we are still on the same journey. We are able to relate and find joy in our differences. I hope to inspire people from all walks of life and especially people who look like me to join the fun and wellness that hooping and play brings. Just like the hoop is connected and begins the same place it ends, so do we, everything begins and ends with how we think and act within ourselves and others. I love connecting with hoopers of all levels and right now I'm offering  one on one beginner hoop wellness and dance classes online.