Balancing your mental health and personal goals in a world that moves faster than a New York minute is as easy as finding a needle in a haystack. But there are some badass individuals out there who tackle this problem with the grace of a ballerina and the tenacity of a lion. They slay their demons and help others do the same with a touch of humor and a pinch of adventure. A plague on all the houses of anyone who said you could not have it all.
Meet US Air Force Reservist Master Sergeant Erica “E-Class” Evans, a mother, wanderlust, and mental health professional who has combined her passion for mental health with her love of travel to create a unique platform that encourages women to prioritize self-care and embark on life-changing journeys. Her journey with therapy and duties as a deployment manager in the US Air Force created a unique opportunity and outlet to carve space and create a community that had not been explored.
Leaning into the mental health profession and serving other women stemmed from a challenging occurrence in her therapy journey that left her feeling unserved and not receiving the actual benefits of therapy. That experience left her more vulnerable, unsure, and broken, and she chose to heal from that and use it to become a better counselor. For her and her practice, it is imperative that she show up as authentically as possible and ensure that her clients receive and benefit from proper psychological mentorship. Being whole requires her to walk the walk, talk the talk, and trust in herself as a mom, military personnel, and force to be reckoned with.
I genuinely believe that whatever I do, wherever I stem from, whatever I pour into someone, let me first be whole
Travel has always been a critical aspect of her life, and it’s no surprise that she’s incorporated it into her services. As a deployment manager in the US Air Force, she’s sent countless Airmen and women to every corner of the world – an experience that’s given her a wealth of knowledge on everything from travel requirements to crucial deployment details. With her expertise, she can create travel packets that take care of all the logistics and tap into the transformative potential of travel. And as someone with a deep passion for mental health and wellness, she’s realized that travel can be a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.
Releasing and healing in a static space is not the only solution to reaching your full potential. An understanding that Erica embraces personally. She knows that to truly cultivate space for women to heal and release is to embrace self-care and prioritize their mental health. She firmly believes nurturing one’s well-being is a prerequisite for personal and professional growth. Our surroundings are a reflection of ourselves, and it’s all a domino effect. We all have to be in place for everything to fall in alignment; when we all align with ourselves, our creator, and with love, we all win. Through her practices and business, she creates tailored travel itineraries that incorporate self-care and wellness practices. Incorporating massages and treatments, yoga, prepared meals, activities, and rejuvenating experiences, helps women embark on transformative journeys that promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being tailored to the individual woman and varying nuances of the particular person.
As an entrepreneur in the mental health and travel spaces, Erica has faced her fair share of challenges; however, none seem bigger than self-doubt. Yes, self-doubt can be present in a space where you work to release others from it. Putting herself out there, being vulnerable, being seen, and expressing her truth has been a hard bridge to cross.
As an entrepreneur, creating something from the ground up is a beautiful learning process; it’s a cultivating process. Trusting in myself, being the engine, and entering new territory meant I needed to push forward.
Erica knew that what she does is done with purpose, and she had to trust in that purpose and the skills she already had to cross that bridge of self-doubt. Crossing her biggest hurdle allowed Erica to tap into her passion for empowering clients to overcome their fears and take bold steps toward achieving their goals. Erica has a gift for listening to her clients and providing a safe and supportive space for them to open up. She helps them release and heal from what’s holding them back, uncovering the layers that may be keeping them back and guiding them to step out of their comfort zones, both in their personal lives and careers, so they can thrive and reach their full potential.
Getting the space where you can tap into your fullest potential means being aware of the balance or lack thereof in your life. The buzz words of late work-life balance, but for some of her clients, achieving that is blocked by one word – consistency. Consistency is critical to achieving a work-life balance, and it may require some adjustments and acceptance of change. Erica often advises others to help them achieve this balance but realizes it’s easy to be overly critical of ourselves, so she encourages reflection.
As a mother, I think about how I encourage my children, and it would be a waste of my time if they didn’t believe in themselves. I encourage people to be true to themselves and not waste their potential. Taking action and working towards what you want to become is important
To help anyone achieve their goals, there has to be a focus on their unique needs and preferences. Strategies vary depending on the person; only some respond to the same approach. Understanding each client individually and creating a tailored plan that suits their style and interests motivates and keeps clients on track. She prioritizes active listening and a supportive approach. By creating a safe and refreshing environment, clients can feel comfortable sharing their mental health concerns, which allows us to address any underlying issues that may impact their progress. Ultimately, our goal-setting process starts with getting to know each client and their unique situation.
A personal touch can enhance any situation, no matter how unique. As a coach, Erica understands this and incorporates her experiences into her practice. Life experiences shape our perception of the world, and the lessons we learn from them can guide us in helping others. Erica’s travel to new places and trying different foods have expanded her life experience and perspective. She draws from her experiences to help others navigate challenges and positively impact their lives.
Erica “E-Class” Evans is a remarkable example of a woman who turned her passion into a purpose-driven career. Through her mental health expertise and love for travel, she empowers women to embrace self-care, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals. As she continues to soar in her endeavors, Erica leaves us with one must-know fact: interestingly enough, she is an incredibly private person. She loves being around others but tends to keep to herself. One of her hobbies is gardening, where she grows her food and preserves it for later use. This purposeful way of living brings her joy.
Erica reminds us that finding balance and purpose is within our grasp in a chaotic and overwhelming world. Through mental health advocacy, travel, and the unwavering support she provides, Erica encourages women to embark on their transformative journeys, ready to conquer any challenge that comes their way.
Master Sergeant, Erica “E-Class” Evans is a US Air Force Reservist from Hampton, VA.
Social Media Handles: Instagram @her_therapy and @eclass_global_travel
Erica Evans: E-Class is in Session