Nicholas Tampio was born in Rhode Island and grew up outside of Washington, D.C. He has studied political theory at New College of Florida, Indiana University, and Johns Hopkins University and has taught at the University of Virginia, George Mason University, and Hamilton College. In college and graduate school, he spent his free time boxing, lifting weights, and sailing; now, he prefers to run, do yoga, and spend time with his wife Gina and son Giuliano.