Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erick Brazile. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Erick, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I get my work ethic from not wanting to let my son down. I know as my son grows older the more he looks up to me for guidance. I want to show him that there is always different ways to do things and not to limit yourself. I want him to take chances and be adventurous. Even if you fail there is always a learning experience and a chance at redemption!
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?
To start off this past year I made it my mission to be involved in more things. I am a big mental health advocate and I have been working on my mental health for years. I felt it was only right for me to get out there and help others in my community. I have been very involved in helping others deal with their mental health through volunteering and community outreach which I take pride in.
Along with that I am also owner of my own clothing line Healing Hyenas. I started my clothing line during the pandemic. I wanted to put some of my graphic design skills to use to create clothing geared toward mental health as well. It has a unique name which is a great talking point for marketing. You can check out how I came up with that name and the mission statement on the website.
In 2022 I came out with a podcast sharing with others about my mental health journey. The name of that podcast was called Finish Your Puzzle. It was all about putting the pieces of your life together to deal with life’s puzzle. That podcast was on Spotify, Apple Music & iHeart Radio and you can still catch those episodes on there.
In 2023 that podcast then morphed into a YouTube channel in which I cohost with a buddy of mine Terrence Glave. We often have deep conversations about various topics and a lot of times they are opposing thoughts so we decided we would bring our conversations to everyone else. Using our conversations as a stepping stone we came up with our YouTube channel called Thought OPPS! Using his numerous connections we have interviewed a lot of talented people. Some of the biggest names in Northeast Ohio from entertainment, entrepreneurs, and various artist have been on our show. We have a pretty decent following and in 2024 we have more projects we will be bringing to everyone!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back learning to ask for help was the biggest impact of my journey. Sometimes we are too prideful, lack trust, and want to do everything ourselves. We tend to try to take on everything life is throwing at us. We are too scared to ask for help and at times it hinders us. You may think that people will push you away when you are in need of help, but a lot of times they are willing to help if you just ask.
Never be afraid to learn and have a thirst for knowledge. I find myself learning about something new almost daily. Teaching doesn’t have an age restriction as well. I have found myself learning something from my son numerous times. Never be too stubborn to learn from others. Also reading has always been a good source of knowledge. I know in today’s age we are all connected and tied to our phones. Picking up a good book and reading is very good exercise for your brain.
Take chances in order to get out of your comfort zone. As human beings we become accustomed to our daily routines and habits. Even when we are in a rut we will stay stuck because we don’t want to feel uncomfortable. Sometimes we need to take chances and get uncomfortable in order to take us to that next level. Change can be scary, but at the same time exciting because we can not predict the outcome. Learn to take that risk in order to grow as an individual.
The best advice I can give is follow your heart. Whenever you’re on a journey you will have to deal with doubt. Not only within yourself, but from others. You have to learn not to dwell on the naysayers and those who don’t support you. Stay focused on the task at hand and your support system. When we maneuver through our journey it is never easy, and at times we want to quit. Learn to reinvent yourself and change avenues in order to reach your goals. Nothing in life has a straight path especially our goals. We have to navigate the twists and the turns the best way we see fit!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
As a creative I am always looking to grow. My goal is to build upon my brand and collaborate with others. I feel collaboration at times is the best promotion because it’s not a one-sided deal. It is beneficial for all parties involved. In the future I would love to add some brand ambassadors for my clothing line. Me and my business partner are always looking for people to help our YouTube channel grow. Also we are working on a few projects this year outside of our channel in order to branch out into different markets. If anyone is interested they can always reach me on Instagram or Facebook.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehealinghyenas.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejbrizz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThoughtOPPS
