Meet Erica Cooper

 

We were lucky to catch up with Erica Cooper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erica , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Having served in the military for 24 years, I regularly felt that I was the only one in the room. Whether I was the only woman, woman of color or Cape Verdean American, I seemed to stand out (not the way I would’ve preferred to stand out). However, I never let that stop my ambitions or how I’ve walked through life. I’ve always had an unwavering commitment to be true to myself and I was never interested in following the crowd (thanks to my mum). I have also been very transparent, honest, integrity filled and stood firm in my core values. Living life in a humbled and appreciative state helped me to remain positive regardless of what was going on in life. I believe if you can find the good (or bearable) in each situation, it makes getting to the other side so much easier. And it’s vital to love yourself as is while accepting when change is necessary for positive growth (and doing the hard work). I absolutely love my perfectly imperfect self which I feel has inspired others to live their truth more confidently. In terms of success, I think that people prefer to support and work with those that they feel most safe, secure, supported, understood and inspired by. Finally, I’m think it’s equally important to be able to talk about and own your successes and failures. Doing so provides credibility to your story and can inspire others.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a master certified life coach and my life coaching business is “Excel with Erica”. For years, I’ve walked beside amazing people and helped to guide them to a better space in life. I believe my vast experience, knowledge and training sets me apart from others. I have served in the military for 24 years and was blessed to be stationed all over the world. This allowed me to connect with so many diverse people. I also think being a Cape Verdean American, a woman, disabled veteran, someone who holds a master’s in Business Management and Organizational Development, a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Certification, a previously certified Victim’s Advocate, an author, and a mum who experienced both amazing highs and traumatic lows has helped me to guide others successfully. I choose to wake up every day and live life with a positive and grateful heart. I believe more now than ever, it’s vital to hear, see, understand and help others to get to know themselves, realize their greatest potential, and to provide necessary skills so each person can achieve success.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

From early on, I’ve always been a passionate and hard worker, integrity filled, stood firm in my core values, and I genuinely respected myself and others. I believe that was important factors. I don’t think that was enough. I do believe challenges I faced at times specific to parenthood, divorce, work life, serving in the military and personal trauma changed who I was. I had to step back and decide if I was OK with “walking” through life without feeling or if I wanted to get to a place of inner peace. As I aged, I maintained being extremely passionate about my family and profession. But I forgot how to be passionate about myself. Once I took the time to work on myself from the inside out; my true capabilities and confidence started shining in ways I never knew possible. This is when I truly started to become (a better version of myself). I also found the courage to let go of what family, friends and society expected of me and to live in a way that truly mattered (to me). It feels amazing to wake up every day to serve others in meaningful ways.

My advice to others… Never stop loving yourself. And if you’ve never been in love with yourself, I’d like to remind you that you deserve to. It’s so easy to give to others at a sacrifice to yourself. But, at some point, you will burn out. If you choose to care for yourself from the inside out as passionately as you do others…you will be successful at all stages of life. And you’ll have the appropriate tools to handle the inevitable bumps in this thing we call life.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my father did for me (us) was to leave my mum (his wife) after the birth of my twin brother and I. At the time, my mum had six children and my twin and I were the youngest. My father was an abusive alcoholic who cheated on my mum. While our childhood was difficult, I believe the best outcome was to not have my father present in our lives. As an adult I can now see that his absence to a degree was a blessing.

The most impactful think my mum did for me (us) was to choose to never give up. To raise her six children with honor and integrity, to love, protect, shield, and attempt to give us the best life she could. She taught me how to be resilient, strong, empathetic, unwavering, and understanding. To fight for what I believe in, respect and to be kind to others. She taught me what unconditional love and absolute sacrifice looked like. She gave her entire life to us and while we didn’t have much we truly had all of her. She was and will always be my hero.

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