Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Robinson.

Hi Erica, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

To pick a chapter that is most relevant to the place that I am now means I only have to go back four years.
At that time, in the year 2020, when most people saw Covid as a time of great distress, I saw it as a way out. I was in a marriage that was secretly drowning in immense sorrow, but I put on a front for the church, friends, and business colleagues. We were very popular in the Seattle, and Tacoma WA. areas. We owned two businesses, both for significant amounts of time. First, a gospel music show and the other an international semi pro basketball team.

I knew that leaving my ex would shock the circles that we ran in, but I needed to do what was right for me, everyone else was doing what was right for them, including my ex, but he was without reciprocation. Leaving, I had so many emotions, I was both happy and sad, fearful and joyful, but ready to take on a new life. I listened to Nipsy Hustle and David Goggins daily, I could hear God in them, they helped me build a blueprint for a life that I had no idea was coming, definitely not the one I was planning.

May of 2021, almost to the date that I left to start my own life, I was blindsided with stage IV Appendiceal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma, ironically, I felt the healthiest I had ever been. I completely drank the Kool-Aid from David Goggins and those alike. I thought, what if I did what they said, could I go head-to-head in battle, me vs me? The test was to outlast my old self long enough to birth the me I saw in my vision. She was a bad ass, body, mind and soul strong, she lived a disciplined life, up at 430am to workout, not for the body but for the war against my old self, I was blood thirsty, those who know, know, that the body is just a byproduct. I began reading and listening to podcasts of those that shared the same sediment and like Kobe Bryant, I created a round table of people who aided me in my journey; helped me build the blueprint that would lead me to my own view of greatness, little did I know, it would be this lifestyle would save my life.

In 2023 I would come out of remission, for a second battle against Adeno Carcinoma, I was exhausted, my words haunted me, could I get up from cancer twice? Was my blueprint bullshit. Had I lost the war against myself? The cancer was there but was it going to be the reason I wasn’t honest with myself, when I ask, can-I-get-up? Now, if my honest answer is no, then it’s no, but I ask every day until it is yes, until one yes turns into two. After my surgery, I pulled on every reason I could find to get out of bed, and back to fighting. Before I knew it, I was back on my feet, mentally strong, body strong, and a spirit dripping in humility.

It’s 2024 and the cancer is back for round three, I can hear David Goggins voice clearly,” when the distance is unknown, then you find out who the fu¡! you are”‘… Well, I thought to myself, “Who the fuck am I then?” Crushed in one hand and sustained in the other; I am numb. I am caught in the darkness asking for favor that isn’t fair., In my marriage I was so full of grief that I thought the only way out was to die. I was hurting so bad, that I thought of death as a means of relief, I just wanted to start my life over. Now that I want to live, I’m desperately trying to uproot the seeds of those ideas I planted and replace them with seeds of triumph. I have a new garden of hope now; may it be watered with gladness from my acceptance and my crushing! With each passing day, I see a small seed of hope, I’m holding on to it, fist clenched. Now, it’s not about how long but about how much joy can I pack in each day. That seed that I’m holding on to, has been planted, a tree that I may never enjoy the shade of, but for the ones I love, the ones who have blessed me, and cared for me, may they enjoy the garden that I pour my heart into. A garden of gladness, joy, hope, beauty and accomplishment. Amen.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing in life that is of any value is a completely smooth road, at least that’s what I believe. Anything worth having will either be a fight to get or to keep, and along the way a combination of the two.

Struggles, no matter what they are, are not permanent, they are like the weather, when you realize that rain is just water, you stop rushing to get out of it, so you can enjoy it. There is a silver lining in the storm.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work is hearts work. I am a voice, a point of light along the path of someone’s life. I am an example of triumph against all odds, and that the spirit is stronger than the mind. I am a voice in the darkness, asking you if you can get up one more time, reminding you that the greater the struggle, the greater the victory, seize it, it is yours! A reminder that you are the genetic makeup of everything you ever wanted to be.
I am known for overcoming obstacles, setting examples and never asking you to do something I have not done.
I am most proud of the woman I am under extreme duress.
I don’t know that I am set apart, but I join a small group of those who never quit, and always find a way to win. A group who has learned enough about themselves to be able to see other people and have compassion.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I know that Covid has meant different things to different people. For me, it was the escape that I needed after hurting for so long.
I always gave a reason to stay in my marriage; the kids, the community, the business, well when the only thing that I needed, was the only thing that was left, it became my open door.
I also thought I should be closer to my family in case they needed me, little did I know, that I would need them. God has a way of making you think it was your idea, when all along it was a divine set up.

Contact Info:

• Website: msejrobinson.com
• Instagram: ms.ejrobinson