Tucker, GA — In September, Nicole Ware Spencer left her home in Tucker and flew to Culver City, Calif., for one day that changed her life. When she left the metro Atlanta area, she was merely a fan and contestant of Wheel of Fortune. She returned a winner.

But to keep her cash prize and vacation to St. Lucia, she had to keep her win a secret.

Keeping that secret from her family was a challenge, but worth it, she said. Spencer hails from Ontario, Calif., about an hour from the studio where Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy are taped in Culver City. Her parents and brother still live in the area.

She’s a graduate of Spelman College who earned a masters in public health at Texas A&M and doctorate in clinical psychology at Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Illinois before settling in Tucker about three years ago.

“We have moved quite a few times,” she laughed. “I had been begging him for the longest time to move to Atlanta.”

As a holistic clinical psychologist, yoga therapist and wellness practitioner, Spencer runs Asili Wellness that features sustainable products and meditation along with yoga and therapy. Tucker was a perfect location for the couple because her husband’s job is located in midtown and she was working in Lawrenceville when they moved.

“We wanted a smaller community, something more family-oriented. It felt so right, so good, the people, the community, the environment. We absolutely love it,” she said.

Spencer and her husband, Billy, have been married for 15 years. Every night they watch Wheel of Fortune – and if one is not available, they record the show to watch later.

In fact, Billy was the reason Spencer applied to Wheel of Fortune. He sent her a text reminding her to apply in June, and the process moved quickly. Within three months she applied online, had a virtual audition, flew to California and won the show.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Spencer said, describing the taping as a 12-hour day of friendly faces, endless snacks and drinks and wanting for nothing.

From production staff to other contestants to Vanna White and Pat Sayjack, everyone was so friendly, Spencer said. Extra precautions were taken to adhere to COVID-19 protocol including testing, wearing masks and social distancing.

“It is good, clean fun. You can’t beat it,” she said.

Spencer is excited to return to St. Lucia in the spring, where she and her husband celebrated their honeymoon.

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