Fifty Cups of Coffee #39: Erin Kreitz
Date: December 18, 2024
Location: Zoom
How we know each other
Erin and I first met when she ran a local Baby Boot Camp and joined my mom entrepreneurs organization, Portland Mamas Inc./The Power MOB (Mom-Owned Businesses). Her high energy, fast talking, big ideas personality met matched my high energy, fast talking, big ideas personality and we became fast friends! Our oldest kids are around the same age, and it’s been a joy to continue connecting with Erin over the years through moves, more kids, business and life changes.
What Erin is doing now
Erin currently is works in sales and marketing for Focus on the Field and she is founder of Inspirator Coaching. She lives in Boise, Idaho with her three daughters, ages 20, 16, and 10.
Three questions
During these Fifty Cups of Coffee chats, I ask each person the same three questions. The reasoning behind each is as follows:
Question 1 – Social media makes it easy for other people to think that they know us, when truthfully, we all only see a small sliver of someone’s life and who they really are. This is the interviewee’s chance to share something that is important to them that, for whatever reason, other people may not know.
Question 2 – We all have fears, no matter who are are or where we are in life. This helps connect us and show we are all more alike than we are different.
Question 3 – I believe the answer to this question helps show each person’s true values, passions, and their why in life.
There are no right or wrong answers to any of these. I’m including each person’s answers in first person. Their answers have been edited from my notes for length and clarity, but these are their words.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about you?
“It’s really a hard one, because everyone is always like, ‘you’re so positive, you’re so outgoing, you’re so such a goal oriented person.’ And I am all of those things… but I guess in some ways I wish that some people also knew the quiet side of me a little bit, like the introspective side a bit more, which they get when they are at retreats or working with me in the coaching capacity. I’m such an extroverted introvert though, which is kind of funny, which probably you understand that right?”
“Every morning my practice that grounds me so very much is I wake up early and meditate first thing and journal. It’s a process that’s turned into an hour of quiet time by myself that is just non-negotiable. And it has really set this framework of quiet and peace and grounding that I’m so appreciative of, with being outgoing and being one that likes to motivate and empower so many other people. And I guess in some ways what I would want people to know is that I really do get bubbles in my belly and I get so excited from empowering somebody else to do something – it really does fire me up… I guess I want some people to know that it just is innate. I get it as excited about cheering everybody on as I do with my own kids. Just that thrill, that joy of seeing somebody feel so empowered… and a lot of that honestly comes from being grounded and peaceful and taking the time for my own inner work, so that I can give that energy back to others.”
What is your deepest fear?
“I’d say my deepest fear, of course, is outliving any of my kids. Honestly, that’s a deep rooted fear. And with my kids’ medical backgrounds and stuff, that is the biggest fear.”
“Another deeper root fear would be not living up to my potential, my God-given potential in life and living out every dream that I have put within me. Feeling that I did not use my time on earth the best way possible to live up to my potential, but then also doing everything that I want to do to the best way possible and to help other people.”
“And another fear will be, to have gone through life and never had that twin flame, that beautiful love connection. Maybe it sounds kind of weird, because I’ve got loads of unconditional beautiful love from my children, from my friends, and from my family. And I know that’s different coming from somebody that’s been divorced… but there’s the fear of not having what my parents had. They were married for 52 years when my dad died, and they were such true partners. To have something that beautiful, that unconditional, supportive partnership of love that I got to witness and was given that gift of witnessing… So that’s a fear, not finding that.”
If you had unlimited funds, what would you do with your life?
“I would own a few different homes. My kids have a nice quality of life here. However, I miss the ocean tremendously. That’s not a surprise. I’d have a place in Hawaii, which I’ve already got in my head. It’s beautiful. It’s got its’ own pool. It’s also right on the water and by a great surf spot. And I’d have a house there and a house in the central coast in the San Luis Obispo area. I love that area so much. But, we’d also have this grounded space here, too, for the girls. It’s a great community here.”
“Also, I would be traveling all around the world with my family at the drop of a hat. We’d be able to go to the airport and just decide that day where we’re flying and get tickets on the spot. I’d love traveling with the girls and, as time continues on, with their respective families. And with unconditional unlimited funds, it’s like I’d be taking everybody with me who wants to go for, say, 10 days in Italy. Best friends, siblings, mom – let’s go! We’d be hitting all the bucket list places and just checking them off.”
“Also with unlimited funds, I would be doing so much service work in other countries. I’d be doing work with self-esteem through sports for girls all over the world. And athletically, I’d be traveling all over the place – surfing, biking, hiking, and running everywhere – while also giving back. I’d be able to use unlimited resources plus time and energy to be able to raise money, to be able to give back in so many different capacities.”
Lessons Learned
I really enjoyed catching up with Erin, and appreciate her sharing so much, so openly. Here are a few takeaways from our conversation:
- Life is hard and messy but there is always space and reason for optimism and hope. Erin really is one of the most optimistic, positive people I know, still – despite the fact that she’s been through a truly difficult few years. Yet through it all, her resilience and tenacity in the face of life challenges is always inspirational.
- Fill your own cup first so that you can pour into others. I truly appreciate Erin’s message of finding time to ground herself and center herself at the start of each day. It’s something I try to do in my own way as well, and like she said, it really does set the tone for the day head. Self-care isn’t just a buzzword, it’s vital to building resilience and maintaining the ability to give to others in addition to yourself.
- When we are vulnerable, we all win. I always appreciate how open and honest Erin is. Of course we will never know everything that goes on in someone else’s life, but I truly believe that, for women especially, we benefit when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable with each other.
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat and share, Erin!
Learn more about Erin
Learn more about Erin’s Inspirator Coaching business.
Follow Erin on Instagram @ErinKreitzInspirator.
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