Hi, I’m Erica...

I used to think strength meant never falling apart. Doing it all alone.
But then life shattered me and that’s where my real story began.

On the outside, I looked like the woman who had it all together. Career, motherhood, community. But inside, I was battling storms no one could see.

One of those storms came in the form of a diagnosis: breast cancer.
It forced me to slow down, strip away the noise, and face my own vulnerability. But it also revealed something remarkable—I wasn’t broken. I was being rebuilt. Through every treatment, every fear, and every uncertain moment, I discovered a deeper well of courage, humor, sisterhood, and fierce determination.

That chapter tested me, and yet, it prepared me. Because then, the storm got louder.

The loss of my only child, USMC Sergeant Conner Mills, forever split my life into “before” and “after.” That moment didn’t just change me, it rooted me.

Rooted me in purpose.
Rooted me in pain.
Rooted me in power I didn’t know I had.

I’m not here because everything in my life has been easy. I’m here because I’ve survived what was meant to destroy me. I’ve led through trauma, grieved with intention, rebuilt with grace, and continue to rise — every single day.

I’m a coach, international speaker, award-winning author, and the founder of Balanced Symmetree, a leadership and empowerment platform built for women who are ready to grow from the inside out. I help women become grounded in their truth, own their boundaries, and lead from a place of resilience and rooted strength. Whether I’m on stage, hosting my talk radio show, or coaching, my message is clear: You can rise. You can lead. You can thrive.

My approach is deeply personal and unapologetically powerful. I blend my experience in corporate America, leadership, emotional intelligence, and boundary management with real-life lessons from the battlefield of life and loss. I believe in leading with your heart, standing in your truth, and showing up — messy, whole, and human.

I don’t pretend to have it all figured out. I’m a woman who walks in her truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. A cancer survivor. A mother honoring her son through advocacy and action. A survivor turned teacher. A leader who knows that real power is rooted not in how loudly you speak, but in how deeply you live.

I’m currently leading a movement through my Lead Like a Woman book collaboration, amplifying the voices of powerhouse women who are redefining leadership on their own terms. I’ve been featured on stages, networks, and in circles of influence that once felt out of reach. But more than the titles and milestones, I’m proudest of this:

My legacy is to honor my son. To build leaders. And to create a world where empowered women empower other women.

I show up. With heart. With fire. With faith.

And I’m here to remind you that your story matters too.

Let’s grow. Let’s lead. Let’s rise together.

THE ROOTED LIFE

LIVE, LOVE, LET GO

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