Author: Erika Rothenberger, Performance Systems Director

You were the victim of a random and horrific attack in the parking lot of your place of work. How has this experience affected you?

Although the blood, bruises, scratches, cuts and marks are no longer visible, the pain inside my body and soul is real. The fear still exists. I no longer feel safe the way I did just five months ago. My mind still races, and I play the “what if game.” I sometimes blame myself. I still get mad. Sad. Defeated and confused because the long-term trauma is REAL. It is the toughest battle because no one can see inside your head—your heart—your soul. This is by FAR the hardest wound for any victim to heal. He took my sense of security and safety away temporarily. And there is no prescription. No bandage. No magic potion to take these inner demons and emotions away, but thanks to our community, humanity (because I still believe everyone wants to do good), and a lot of therapy, I have come so far to work through these struggles. And quite frankly, sharing my story has helped me a lot.    

What is important for people to know?

To be aware. To know this can happen to anyone. To know that women are more susceptible to random attacks. To be more alert. To share this story to make yourself and other people you love and care about more aware. I don’t want this story to scare you, but to make you take action and have better situational awareness. 

I also remind you that there is HOPE. LIGHT. LOVE. GOOD HUMANS. I have been enveloped and surrounded in a blanket of KINDESS. The faith that there is so much love out there. There is so much good out there. And although the world is challenging, it is also filled with so many humans who care. 

How has this changed your views on leadership, community and life in general?

But this event won’t define me. It won’t take me down. It won’t stop me from being Erika. It has and will continue to make me stronger. I am committed to doing local events to create awareness, working with our community groups, volunteering, working on legislation and being fearless about sharing my story. I promise you I am committed to creating awareness—and I ask you to be part of my mission. To go out there and share. To tell someone my story—or perhaps finally share your own. We are so much stronger together as one. Alone we can do so little, together we can truly move mountains and light the flame for others. There are so many people that need to stay quiet out of fear about assault, and I want to be hope for them. I will this darkness along with you all to create light. I will not just be a victim of a crime. I am a warrior. I will make a difference because behind every strong individual is a story that gives us no choice but to win. I am not a victim, I am a SURVIOR and thank you all from the depths of my heart for supporting me—for being that light—and for making it a mission to be THE LIGHT in a world of darkness.  

How can women support other women in the workplace/in their organizations?

Lift as we RISE.  As you climb the ladder, get the promotion, win the race, write the book—take other women with you.  Encourage them.  Cheer even louder for them.  I always think back to times in my life (and believe me I still have them) of self-doubt and am confident that I would not be who I am today without the support of other women who were cheering me on so loudly! We need to be both mentors and sponsors (especially when they are not in the room) to these other women—I always ask myself, what would I want a boss, a coach or a mentor to my daughter to be like, and I try to be that person to every woman in my circle. 

How do you balance career, personal life and passions? Is there such a thing as balance or is it more about integration? What are the pros and cons?

I don’t believe there is a “perfect” balance in anything we do, but I am a firm believer that you wear multiple hats and defend the time for the things that really fuel your passion and purpose in life. If we want anything bad enough, we will make time for it—so when I show up as a corporate professional, I give it 100%. When I am on the football field or at gymnastics, I give 100%. When I am working on my wellness business, I dive in 100%. As humans, we are not great multi-taskers, so I look at it like swim lanes—decide the most important strokes you want to swim, jump in the pool, and give it your all out. As a mom, I am very open with my kids about my other swim lanes, and they always know they are #1, but because of our open dialogues, they understand that sometimes mom may need to give and take. I make them my WHY, and not my excuse always. 

We’ve heard about a very traumatic incident you endured this year, but can you tell us about the best thing that happened to you this year? 

Yes, the incident was traumatic, no doubt. But it also was a blessing in so many ways.  It made me more aware and allowed me to shine my light to make others aware. It made me realize I had two choices:  crawl up in a cocoon and live in fear or be bold, brave & badass and share my story in hopes that it will change at least one other women’s life. Life can certainly be filled with ups and downs, but it is how we choose to deal with the curve balls thrown our way. I made the choice to use it to help me grow, enlighten and show others that no matter what happens in life, we have the inner strength to overcome it. I encourage every woman out there—because we all have dealt with trauma in some shape or form—to ask yourself: how can I start to see the cup half full and how would I want the younger generation to see me as a role model to them? Sometimes it is the harder path to take initially, but I promise the finish line is so much more rewarding when you do. Overall, the best part is I was able to take the fuel thrown at me and turn it into fire.