We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erica Hutson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Erica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

In the early days of getting my business going, I felt like a sponge, taking in every webinar, training, coaching opportunity I could. I went through about two years trying to apply all the lessons and “strategies” I had learned–I learned a lot. But at one point I felt burnt out, burnt out on all my resources–energy, money, time. So I stopped doing anything and reflected for a while on what I really wanted. I had started this whole business to support others in living their authentic journeys, exploring and discovering who they really are and what joy is for them–and here I was, trying to apply and adopt everyone else’s “best practice.” I decided to call BS on all the coaching formulas and marketing strategies; and do what felt best for me. I just focused on creating–and from there I entered this beautiful season of having fun in my business and creating materials (a book, card deck, workbooks, workshops, videos) that people actually wanted to engage with.

All this to say–I learned that there are a lot of ways of doing things–and the business gurus out there will endlessly purport that their way is the best way, but in the end what works best is your way–and maybe that takes a blend of all these different strategies, theories, practices. In the end, the learning and the exploration (even when things don’t work out) is always worth it, but continually coming back to what feels good and true for you, keeps you grounded in creating a business you actually enjoy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Haha this is a big question!! But let’s go for it…!

So hmm–I started this business when I was transitioning out of middle school teaching. At that point, my professional experience was in teaching and School Counseling, but I had started to delve deeper into a yoga practice and decided to pursue a yoga teacher training.

I did not want to do the training in order to become a teacher, I only wanted to learn more about yoga and myself. But after that training, I was in the midst of this huge transition. It was the year of Covid; I had decided to move back to the United States after living in Central America for three years, I had decided to leave teaching (in the traditional sense) and I was experiencing this huge inner shift (which I really feel was this awakening happening). A shift from maiden to motherhood, from masculine living to balanced living with both the masculine and feminine. Woof–so much during this time.

But out of this search came this realization that all I wanted to do in life, I couldn’t find in a standard job–so was birthed “Wild, Peaceful & Free”; I had started searching for a job that blended teaching, counseling and wellness, and after yoga training realized I wanted this and something even deeper. Something that allowed people to experience this awakening to truth that I had, that freed them from inner struggle.

Hence the name, Wild, Peaceful & Free–this just came to me; I didn’t think about it to much, but it really embodied where I was at that time: seeking to break these chains of conditioning, of limitations, of masks and this feeling that I needed to hold back from what I really wanted. And also that this is done through true peace with all that is, making peace with everything that is “wrong”–that isn’t going “your way” or the parts of yourself you’ve long rejected. You are free when you realize that free is your natural state of being and that life is simply returning to this place of freedom again and again. Of course, freedom has many meanings for me: time freedom, financial freedom, creative freedom, but ultimately I came to deeply recognize that all of these meanings of freedom start with that inner freedom–the power of choice we have moment to moment.

So–what do I offer…! Isn’t that an endless exploration in itself–so real quick fun fact about me: I love love all things personality tests and self-exploration; that is one thing you would experience coaching with me: We do a bajillion different ones; and this is because I love seeing the connections and themes that arise for people across all of these data pieces–like pieces of a puzzle just clueing you in more and more (to what you already know about yourself deep down), but providing this clarity sometimes by putting into words the thoughts, feelings and experiences you’ve had, but maybe never been able to verbalize. So one of my absolute favorite personality tests, some would call it more of a “Life guide” is Human Design. I’ve been delving into this more lately and found my energy type is a 3/5 Manifestor; I share this because it will really give you a sense of who I am and the way I work. The 3/5 personality type is called “The Great Life Experimenter.” I have this inner need to adventure and experience life, gaining wisdom from all of these experiences and then sharing with others what I learn in an ultimate effort to free others from anything that holds them back from living their purpose. The funny thing–and the proof in the pudding of why I love personality assessments–is they often will affirm much of what you’re experiencing. I found human design probably two years into creating my business, and when I read these descriptions, thought yep, well that makes sense. I think this work I am trying to start is pretty aligned for my purpose here.

I offer this quick story because it gives background to my journey and explains that what I offer has a guiding theme and is ever-changing; I think this also speaks to what makes me unique; I have so many trainings, certifications, experiences that have blended together into my exploratory coaching and yoga. I actually gained this word “exploratory” from one of my students. After she came to classes regularly, she said you should call your yoga “Exploratory Yoga” because you are all about exploring your body, mind, heart and not sticking hard to one tradition, school of thought, or style.

Yes, I thought–this is truly what it’s all about for me. I am not teaching people what I think or how they should think, do life or be themselves–I am here to guide that exploration of their own inner self and connecting to what is true for them (moment to moment)–because aren’t we ever-changing?

I have certifications in Neurolinguistic Programming focusing in Quantum physics and forgiveness healing, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Doula work, reiki, counseling, teaching, blah blah–so many things.

I will probably never (won’t say firm “never” because I don’t say that anymore–you truly never know); so “probably” never be an “expert” in any one thing, except myself.

And that’s what I share with others is my own experience with this constant journey of self-connection, self-knowing, and ways they can explore more for themselves.

All of that is super big picture! What I offer in order to do this exploration is some fun things like books, personalized workbooks, card deck(s), classes and workshops. Currently re-working a membership that will give people access to all the things and tools they want, so they can choose whatever they want to play with 🙂

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yay–I love this question. I love all versions of “If I could go back, would I do something different?” I play with this question from time to time just to remind myself of the peace of being exactly where I am meant to be–as a result of all these choices I’ve made leading me to this present moment.

I wouldn’t choose anything different–even when I know that choosing different maybe would have given me a more favorable outcome–or would have gotten me to what I was seeking “faster.” Because while I certainly have the culturally ingrained anxiety to “go, go, go” and get results “now,” my journey reminds me that this is not what I need–or the true goal.

The goal is the journey–all the twists and turns and lessons that we get from choosing the “wrong” thing. Kind of a weird thing, but when things go “wrong” now, after some emotional processing, I actually get excited–thinking “what possibility is coming next?”

So, no–I would have chose teaching, counseling, all these many certificates that I may never fully pursue–would do them over again, because they have molded me into this current version of myself and even though I may not fully see the purpose (yet), I choose to trust that it is all meaningful–and supporting me in becoming the next version of myself.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Love this one also–I think in any field, but especially in this work of wellness, and supporting others in their whole (emotional, physical, spiritual) well-being, practitioners need a consistent grounding or self-exploration practice of their own to continually attune to their own health and well-being on the daily (as best as possible).

I say “as best as possible” because I know you can’t be 100% everyday and it’s hard to do “all the things.” Or like every human, life ebbs and flows, and sometimes the routines are easier and sometimes they are harder.

When I say consistent grounding or self-exploration, this could mean that in those times of harder routine, you are sticking solid to your gratitude journaling practice, or you are saying the Reiki precepts prayer or Meta prayer every morning.

Just doing something to tune in with yourself regularly, your inspiration, hope, trust in the universe, god, spirit, the “force”–whatever you believe in.

I believe having a simple, consistent practice like this will drive all the other many elements of health and well-being, eating well, sleeping well, moving everyday, etc. But if you aren’t somehow tapping into your hope, purpose and motivation on the reg, those other things will easily fall away.

Contact Info:

• Website: wildpeacefulfree.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/wildpeacefulfree?igshid=MmVlMjlkMTBhMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: Connect through email: https://kent29719.activehosted.com/f/15 Get your guided self-discovery journal: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Self-Discovery-Journal-Connecting-Confidence/dp/0578272415 Explore other offerings: https://linktr.ee/wildpeacefulfree?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9711151f-1df4-470e-b4bd-12aa51c9a3fb

Image Credits
n/a; I took these myself!