Meet Erika (RK)

We recently connected with Erika (RK) and have shared our conversation below.

Erika (RK), sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

The topic of mental health and the stigma surrounding it are something that have been important to me since I was very young, though I didn’t really know or understand that it was a far more personal issue until I was in university. I have social anxiety and am bipolar type 2, the latter of which means I experience moments of severe depression and hypomanic episodes. There are far more details about this that one can look up. But to summarize it a little and put it in perspective, people with bipolar disorder tend to have more comorbidities and have a shorter life expectancy for obvious reasons. There are more than likely a couple of other things that I struggle with and have yet to be diagnosed with, but these are currently the main two. They have affected me and the way I walk through the world since I was in my teens, and looking back, the signs were always there.

It hasn’t been an easy journey, especially before knowing exactly what was affecting me. I definitely struggled a lot with balancing my mood and the way everything could overwhelm me. So I learned to cope through productive methods such as making art, taking pictures, writing, and throwing myself into work endeavors. This is why, if you ask many of those who know me, they’ll tell you that I tend to always be busy. I am constantly on the move, looking for the next thing to do. Which has been extremely advantageous when it comes to my career and the progress I’ve made over the years.

I have seen the way people in my life have been affected by untreated mental health issues. I have witnessed the addiction, the many tears, the apologies, the highs, the lows, and the ways these things can break some of the strongest minds. I’ve been on both ends, receiving and dealing some of these blows. So I understand how difficult it is all around. I have taken the hand I was dealt and decided to use it for the better. If I have to live with constant internal battles, then I will make those issues work for me, not against me.

So how have I overcome these mental health issues? By telling myself that I have to fight for others out there, The ones I love and the ones who are like me. I didn’t initially have the support of loved ones when it came to seeking professional help and I also didn’t exactly have the financial means. But I was determined to be the best possible version of myself possible. So I bought the literature, I read up on everything I could find, I focused even more on introspection, I wrote so many things down. and then I eventually was able to find the right resources for me.

I know that my experience isn’t going to apply to everyone. Mental health is not one size fits all. And in some instances, I was privileged in being able to find and use some of these resources, even with all the stigma surrounding finding help. But this is my story, my path, and I hope it resonates with someone out there.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I wear many hats, and that is by no means an exaggeration. My career has expanded beyond what I originally expected for myself when I first graduated from university. I always knew that I would only be happy creating and empowering unheard and underrepresented voices. The meaning of that has slightly shifted over the years, but I continue trying to find ways to make an impact and open doors for people who are still fighting to be acknowledged.

Currently, I work for a major news network. And previously, I primarily worked in the esports world. I have been a PA, a Stage Manager, a Production Coordinator, a Lighting Designer/Director, and a Technical Director. Before that, I worked on film sets here and there, helped friends make their films, designed logos and general art for people, etc. My skills are numerous, and though they may be a little different from what people probably expect to hear, they are things that continue to excite me and move me towards my goals.

I love everything that I have done and continue to do! I love creating art and writing stories that are not often seen on the big screen. Stories that I continue working on to this day. I love helping bring stages and venues to life, especially when done for good causes or to promote certain communities! Some of my favorite career moments have been sitting/standing at a board and moving the faders that help bring a lighting setup that I designed come to life!

I am limited on some of the things I can speak about, but overall I just love being able to work with a group of people dedicated to promoting inclusion and community. And while I work with people who are committed to making a difference and bringing others into the fold, I in turn do my best to help connect people with each other.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

When it comes to my personal journey and what I’ve seen work in the many rooms I’ve been in, I think three specific qualities stand out: resilience, curiosity, and perseverance.

Resilience: I have not had the easiest journey when it comes to personal trials and the ways it seemed like life was set on derailing me. I have struggled with my mental health, relationships with friends and family, several traumatic losses, and many professional obstacles. But I have managed to mostly come out on top in each instance, and that is largely due to my resilience. When it comes to creative careers, whether it be something more obviously artistic or something related the media industry, it is necessary to be able to adapt and recover. In broadcast, nothing really goes as planned. There are so many variables that can end up feeling overwhelming and frustrating. But that is part of the process! One must learn to take in the situation, even when going through personal things, and try to find the best outcome.

Curiosity: Personally, I am a very curious individual. When I join a new environment, I have so many questions about the process, how things work, what people do, how everything comes together. It’s exciting to me! And it helps me gain a better understanding of the small details so that I can make sure the big things work out. Some people are better geared for the big picture while others are better with the minutiae. Regardless of whether or not something is a personal strength, it’s very useful to gather as much information as possible. And when you ask questions and show interest in things, people tend to notice and they usually like talking about the stuff they do! This can open so many doors.

Perseverance: I have often been knocked down. And every single time, I get back up. No matter how exhausting it can be or how hopeless things may seem. I keep going, because the alternative of giving up is something I am not comfortable doing. I have been met with so much rejection and obstacles. I once had an interview to be a PA for a filmmaker where I was rejected because I spoke up about wanting to push stories about underrepresented people. I once asked to learn a new skill from a boss and was ignored so I ended up finding a mentor elsewhere. Whenever I have seen a closed door, I don’t say “well I guess that’s it” and instead keep pushing forward. I understand that it may seem difficult to keep going when it feels like the world is against you. But when you have something to offer, when your voice is important, you have to keep going! Set those goals and don’t back down.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I love this question! There is obviously an argument to be made for either choice depending on how you define each side, but personally, I stand by the idea that one should do their best to be well-rounded. Improving areas where one feels less skilled makes for a more understanding individual, especially in certain industries or types of work. I say this referring to both my artistic endeavors and my current main career within the broadcast and media industry.

From a young age, I have known that I am primarily a feelings person. I am driven by my heart over my brain, making my default more emotional as opposed to logical. I was primarily drawn to artistic subjects as a kid. Think language, art, music, etc. with the outlier being math. And because I knew and understood that, I devoted myself to making sure that I excelled in other areas as well. Things that did not come as easily to me. Because of that, I have a great appreciation for a wide range of subjects and interests. And am able to apply very different skills to what I do on a daily basis.

Since one of my goals is to eventually be a director/producer as well as a writer, whether that be in film or broadcast or theatre, I aim to understand everything that helps those roles execute their vision. When I one day have the main say in something, I want to make sure that I can accurately communicate exactly what I want. I think many of us have been in situations where people in charge seem a little ignorant to the way things work or they seem to not understand the proper execution of things. I’d like to avoid that, and part of getting there involves me understanding everything that is involved. All the steps that contribute to the final product.

Similarly in things such as art. Some of us may specialize in painting. Others in inkwork. And yet others in pastels. Whatever the medium, it helps to understand how other mediums work because some of those skills and techniques can translate to our own specialties. Which in turn helps add to our creative processes.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: rkpadierna
• Facebook: RK Padierna

Image Credits

Veey – the big stage pictures