ABOUT ME

Howdy! I am Erica. It’s nice to meet you, and I’m so glad you’re here. I’d like to get to know you & specifically where & how I can support your at home workout program. Until then, I’ll share a little about me. You are officially invited to sit back, relax, and stay awhile. So grab your cozy blanket and get comfortable.

Like you, i wear lots of hats!

By way of introduction, I am a Texas girl through and through. I live in Houston but was born in Dallas and have also called San Antonio home. I don’t own a horse and have only seen tumbleweeds in movies, but I do have a pretty sweet pair of red cowgirl boots! I am a wife, a mom, a small business owner, a runner, a Peloton bike owner, a neighborhood party planner, a retired room mom (only because my kiddos are in middle school and high school) and much more.  🙂

Since you’re here, I am guessing we have a lot in common, starting with our interest in wellness and a fitness journey for at home workout program. Whether it’s a budding interest or full-blow obsession, you are in the right place. We’ve got a lot of topics to explore together like how to stay motivated when exercising and is diet or exercise more important for weight loss?

Being present here, today shows that you are headed in the right direction, curiously seeking answers & I respect that wholeheartedly.

fitness is my jam! here’s why!

I am a complete exercise enthusiast.  It serves as my therapist, stress release, weight moderator and social outlet. If you’re like most people, you may love love love the idea of exercise and realize how very important it is but already cram 30 hours of living into a 24 hour day.  I hear you, loud and clear.  I’ve been there. I’ve also found simple yet creative ways to fit fitness into my life that I’ll be sharing with you throughout my posts.

Although I discovered my physical fitness journey early in life and have realized the benefits throughout my life, I REALLY got clear on how exercising helped me with my physical fitness as well. You see, when my first child was born (he’s now 17), I was swept into the depths of depression. But I’m not the only one. I am confident that there are quite a few of you reading this who battled with or are currently battling with some form of depression. In fact, 1 in 5 US women experience a depressive episode within 3 months of childbirth. You are not alone.

I was active (even running) throughout my entire pregnancy, so I enjoyed regular doses of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins (you’ve heard of “runners high”). It was when I lost the full benefits of these chemicals that I realized I had a problem. Endorphins make you feel exhilarated. Dopamine is a pleasure chemical, and serotonin is the chemical responsible for happiness, restful sleep, clear thinking and increased energy. I was sad. Very sad.

fitness = physical & emotional

In addition to seeking medical treatment for my depression, I started exercising again (as soon as I was medically released) and slowly but surely healed, emotionally. I gained clarity as I reflected on how I had used exercise in the past to manage my stress and anxiety. It only made sense that it was doing its magic on my depression.

Don’t get me wrong, pulling yourself out of the depths of depression often calls for both medication and exercise. I certainly didn’t snap my fingers and run a few miles to heal myself, it was a gradual healing that took place. In fact, I’ve had bouts of depression since my children were born and have ultimately overcome it.

In fact, the most important part of my depression was my realization that fitness could help me both PHYSICALLY & EMOTIONALLY. This understanding has been the key to my healing and managing stress, anxiety and depression even since. This is the reason I focus on both physical and emotional fitness. It’s my mission to share this connection with as many people as possible, because I know how heavy and scary depression can be. I see you. I understand.

my fitness experience

After becoming a mom, there were some golden years where I was able to “slow things down” a bit and “stay home” with the kiddos. It was a time I absolutely treasured. During this 7 year spread, I focused on my passion for fitness (the kids too :-)). I wanted to learn more and share as much as I could with others, so I got my personal training certification and off I went!

I loved coaching people one-on-one but also realized that I could reach more people by training groups. I was on a mission! I started an outdoor bootcamp. I taught group exercise classes at the gym. I started a run club and trained dozens of our team members to run their first half and/or full marathon. I also had the pleasure as serving as a fitness coach for a wellness company and helped our clients virtually design workout plans to fit their specific lifestyles.

This was EXACTLY what I wanted to do, and I loved every moment, especially those where I was able to affect positive change in others. Helping others fueled my fire, and I was unstoppable!

pivoting

When it became important for me to financially contribute to our family on a full-time basis, I went back to corporate America for close to a decade. My corporate career has been fulfilling and has blessed the lives of me and my family. I am grateful for all that I’ve learned and all of the relationships I’ve built along the way.

Throughout the last decade, my life had taken many turns, some not as impactful as others. I went through a very painful divorce about 5 years ago, and learned A LOT about myself as a result. A couple of years ago I met an incredible man that is now my husband! YAY!!! This sweet man believes so much in me that he’s supporting me throughout this wonderful journey of building a sustainable business meant to help & grow others based on my love & passion for fitness!

let’s pledge to find & be the best version of ourselves with joining me on your at home workout Program!

I decided to create this platform so that I could share my fitness love & learnings with as many people possible! Let’s start your fitness journey! With that in mind, won’t you join me on this wellness superhighway? Let’s learn. Let’s laugh. Let’s sweat. Let’s push ourselves. Let’s find ourselves. Let’s BE ourselves. Let’s live.thrive.grow.

Erica 

ERICA@LIVETHRIVEGROW.COM

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