We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erika Riccobono. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erika below.

Erika, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

There were many defining moments in my career but the one that I will share just happened to me in November 2022 when I had made the decision to enter my 1st OCB Bikini Competition. It was on my goal list for the last 14 years (after having my 1st child) and I just achieved that goal last year. The level of commitment, mental strength, discipline, and physical fitness that these athletes need to have in order to compete is astounding. You literally enter into another world that only those that compete can understand. I had just come back from Hawaii with my family, and I had to shed about 20 lbs to be at my competition weight and I had about 20 weeks to achieve my goal and be competition ready. There were about 8 girls competing with me and towards the end of the cutting, girls started dropping out until I was the only one left. It was understandable considering we were all moms and wives and had families and family events and holidays coming up, this was very difficult. I wanted to quit a few times as well, thinking I wasn’t going to make it, but I had a great coach and I refocused and I continued on. 20 weeks went by and I finally hit my goal weight. I went on stage with about 40 other athletes that worked just as hard as I did and had an amazing experience. What I learned from that part of my experience is that giving up is all part of the mental process and is a metaphor of life. You might find those weak moments in life where you have the choice to give up, but if you redirect your focus and control those weak moments, you can do anything and be successful.

Erika, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I own a company called Enhanced Nutrition and Fitness. I am a Holistic Health Coach, Fitness Coach and OCB Bikini Competitor. I was a stay-at-home mom turned Entrepreneur. I am currently creating an online program based on my own personal experience, for stay-at-home moms who have felt a loss of identity and need guidance as to how to regain it all back. I walk you through lessons and modules and action tasks which ends up being a personalized program for yourself to refer to at any point you need help and guidance. I believe being a mom is one of the hardest jobs there is, but from my own experience being a stay-at-home mom poses even more challenges both physically and mentally. I want to be a hub for all the stay-at-home moms out there that just need a little help on how to get themselves back on track.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

In general, I tend to surround myself with other women who are strong and independent and who have succeeded in their own businesses or fields of work. I have been able to learn from them and apply whatever I can to myself. I have a great fitness coach who has been more than a fitness coach to me and has shown me how to actually bulldoze through life’s obstacles in order to succeed. I think having people who are living and breathing a life you want to live is important to your own success. I do like to listen to audiobooks when I need a little bit of encouragement. My current favorites are: You Are a Badass and You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero and The 5 second rule by Mel Robbins.

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

This is a tricky question because I don’t feel that I deliberately chose this field. I wasn’t intending to do any of the things I am doing. I felt that one event in my life lead to another event in my life and I just kept following my instinct to learn more. As I was learning more and applying what I was learning I saw the impact I could make on another person’s health and well-being. It became an exciting journey of making someone else’s life better. That is a very rewarding feeling!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: erikaaforlife
• Facebook: Erika Riccobono
• Other: Enhanced Nutrition and Fitness (IG)

Image Credits
Elaine Kessler photography