Meet Erica Cooper | Master Certified Life Coach, Entrepreneur, Veteran, Author & Mum

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erica Cooper and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by caring, passionate people who still like to dream. By those who fight for others, and want everyone to succeed (however each person defines success). I’m inspired by equality, respect, understanding, love, compassion and the desire to search for “more”. I’m inspired by the underdogs and those who work hard to create a better life. I’m inspired by integrity, core values, a willingness to help those in need. By those who have a story to tell that others never cared to listen to. I’m inspired by those who came before me whose path wasn’t an easy one. I’m inspired by those who wake up every day making choices to be the best version of themselves regardless of how hard that might be. And I’m inspired by those who give themselves grace when they fall short while choosing to dust off and try again until they get to where they want to be.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a master certified life coach, a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years, an author who contributed to an exciting book that discusses the behind the scenes experiences supporting the Executive Office of the President of the United States and how I got there. Note: This book is not a political one. Ten phenomenal people discuss their path to becoming a Presidential Service Badge (PSB) holder and events that shaped their lives in impactful ways. Fun fact: PSB holders make up the top 1% of their military branch. To get to this space is a true honor and huge accomplishment! Each chapter is about ordinary people supporting extraordinary moments in history at the highest office in our Nation. I discuss supporting the President during the Boston Marathon Bombing and how that affected me both personally and professionally. Being from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, supporting this “event” was personal. I discuss the challenges of supporting such a devastating moment, how it affected me, my journey to the White House, military experiences, life as wife, a mum and so much more. In terms of education, I hold a master’s degree in Business Management and Organizational Security Management, a DEI certification from Cornell University, I am the owner of my life coaching business “Excel with Erica, a sister and most importantly, I’m a mum. Finally, being a Cape Verdean American and a woman of color I believe has both shaped and humbled me to be the compassionate, empathic, understanding, kind, and loving person I am today. I believe all the above experiences and knowledge set me apart from others.

I’m most excited and honored to help others in accomplishing their desired goals and to chase their biggest dreams. There’s something so beautiful and fulfilling about watching others find their voice, their internal strength and watch them soar!

After a failed relationship, moving to a new State without family or friends, COVID, losing my mum and brother unexpectedly, and having to maneuver though life without my biggest mentor, supporter and my best friend (my mum), I had no idea how to “breathe” anymore. I was at my “rock bottom” and I had to decide if I was going to continue to “walk” numb and angry through life or take the difficult steps necessary to deal, heal, grow, and become. To embrace a new beginning quite different than what I originally dreamed of. I decided to heal myself from the inside out. This space included therapy, a lot of soul searching and a long and lonely road of healing from past trauma. The eventual result was finding my voice, becoming empowered, meeting the real Erica P. Cooper and recognizing what I’m passionate about. I learned that life would’ve been so much easier if I hadn’t walked this path alone. But, at the time, I didn’t know how to ask for help from those I love. Looking back, I wish I would’ve. Now, I want to spend the rest of my life walking alongside anyone ready to truly change their life, take that risk and become the version of themself they’ve always dreamed of. Because it’s in this space that the real magic happens! I have arrived and I love everything about my life. I’m so grateful and thankful and I want to share this with anyone willing to take the journey with me! C’mon, let’s envision your dreams…and make them reality!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d take my best friend to The Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. We’d spend the week traveling and staying at quaint and interesting locations. We’d hike, kayak, chase waterfalls and appreciate some of the many restaurants in the area. Watkins Glen, Taughannock and Letchworth State Parks, Buttermilk Falls and Cornell University are great to adventure and hike; and the views are breathtaking.

The Rockwell Museum, Corning Museum of Glass, Women’s Rights National Historical Park and the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum are absolute musts. We’d eat at Moosewood Restaurant (a lovely vegan spot), shop at American Crafts by Robbie Dein, and enjoy a beautiful independent movie at the cutest, vintage Cinemapolis in Ithaca, NY.

We would absolutely have to enjoy The Sherwood Inn Restaurant in Skaneateles, NY and retire at The Chalet of Canandaigua. I could go on and on! In my opinion, The Finger Lakes is one of the best kept secrets in the United States!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My childhood was not an easy one. I didn’t believe in or love myself and I wasn’t sure how to find my voice or my way in life. My band directors Joseph and LaVada Studley were the first people outside of my family to show me what true love felt like. In addition to showing me love, they supported and held me accountable. I felt safe in their presence and happy. They provided opportunities for growth, taught me life lessons and provided experiences and opportunities I would’ve never had without them. I know without their love/support early in my life, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Ms. Barbara Stephens, my High School English teacher opened my eyes to the beauty of words and the adventures they created in books, poems, and in our spoken voice. By spending much of my free time reading, I “lived” in so many beautiful places, felt such deep emotions, and learned that there was so much more to life than the small town I grew up in. Ms. Stephens inspired me to chase my “more” however that was defined (by me). She taught me to be unapologetically, passionately and with absolute strength…just me! And that I was absolutely enough.

My mum, Julia Rose. Her husband left her without a cent to her name and with six young children to raise…alone. She sacrificed everything for us. Never gave up. Every day was a battle. And as a single, woman of color, on welfare and government housing, she was judged horribly. Still, she held her head up high and gave her entire life to protect, care for, and love us. She lived her life with integrity, strong work ethic, morals and values and held us accountable to do the same. She was beautiful inside and out. She unfortunately left this world way too soon. She is my hero.

Website: https://www.ericapcooper.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/excelwerica/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-p-c-a25b303b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571309792993

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EricaCooper-n2z