logo
episode-header-image
Aug 22
41m 51s

118: How Cancer and Divorce Led Erica to...

Katie Farinas
About this episode

What happens when the life you’ve built looks picture-perfect from the outside, but inside you’re struggling with depression, misalignment, and major life challenges like illness and heartbreak?

In this episode of The Midlife Purpose Project, Erica Carrico shares her deeply personal journey from being a free-spirited traveler to building a corporate career in Sydney—a life that left her battling depression despite its shiny exterior. After a doctor encouraged her to reevaluate her path instead of relying solely on medication, she discovered life coaching and uncovered her true calling.

But Erica’s path to purpose was anything but linear. Along the way, she faced skepticism from her family about starting a coaching business while planning for her own family, took a nonprofit management role that felt misaligned, endured a painful divorce, and even battled cancer. Each challenge tested her resolve, but ultimately brought her closer to her dharma—her soul’s purpose.


In this episode, you’ll discover:

  • Why outward success can still feel empty if it’s not aligned with your soul.
  • How a cancer diagnosis and divorce became catalysts for Erica’s transformation.
  • What it takes to leave behind cultural, family and corporate expectations and step into purpose.
  • Why listening to your inner voice—especially in life’s hardest seasons—can change everything.
  • How realigning with your soul's purpose is a practice, not a destination.

Erica’s story is a reminder that even in the midst of heartbreak, illness, and uncertainty, it’s possible to realign with your true self and live a life of meaning.

Grab Erica's Book: Awaken Your Purpose and start aligning with your original medicine today!

Download my free Discover Your Dharma workbook

Follow me on Substack

Up next
Aug 15
117: Saying Goodbye to What No Longer Serves You
📩 Join my newsletter for more tools and inspirationAfter 20 years as a bedside nurse, I made the difficult decision to walk away from a career that once felt like home. In this episode, I share my journey of letting go, overcoming fear, and finding peace even in the hardest seas ... Show More
26m 8s
Aug 8
116: Reclaiming Identity, Rest & Purpose with Rachel Brooks
Sign up for my newsletter here!Related Episodes:93: Who Are We Beyond The Roles We Play? 108: Redefining Success In MidlifeAre you feeling stuck in hustle mode, burned out, or questioning your purpose? In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, Katie sits down with award-winning ... Show More
1h 13m
Aug 1
115: How To Attract Abundance Into Your Life
Do you believe you live an abundant life?Is abundance about money, time, or success—or could it be something deeper?In this solo episode, I’m diving into what abundance really means and how many of us were raised in the vibration of scarcity without even realizing it. I share my ... Show More
39m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
Ep. 332 - Where Are You Lying to Yourself? And How to Reconnect With Your Truth with Martha Beck
We have manifested a truly authentic TBM guest today. Martha Beck is an author, speaker, coach, and sociologist whose focus has been on integrity, compassion, and living by your inner truth. This conversation delves into the profound intersections of authenticity, integrity, and ... Show More
1h 6m
May 12
Mel Robbins: How the Let Them Theory Can Heal Your Relationships
Jillian sits down with Mel Robbins to unpack the Let Them Theory — a mindset shift that helps you stop trying to control others and start focusing on your own emotional wellbeing. They explore how the urge to control often stems from stress and fear, and how letting go can actual ... Show More
1h 18m
Jun 5
THE LET THEM THEORY
In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative power of the “Let Them Theory,” a mindset shift that encourages us to let people be who they are instead of trying to control their actions. We explore how embracing this philosophy can bring more peace, freedom, and authentic ... Show More
8m 24s
Jul 29
The Let Them Theory - Book Summary | Mel Robbins | Free Audiobook
Ad-free audiobook summary & exclusive content / Show notes / PDF & Infographic / Free Audiobook / You’re wasting your energy trying to control what others think of you. Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory reveals why—and how you can finally break free. Stop the exhausting cycle of seeki ... Show More
26m 5s
Jan 2025
Mel Robbins: How to Use the ‘Let Them Theory’ (A Life Changing Mindset Hack That 15 Million People Can’t Stop Talking About)
Have you ever let someone just be themselves? How do you remind yourself what’s in your control? Today, Jay  sits down with best-selling author and motivational speaker Mel Robbins to discuss her revolutionary “Let Them Theory.” Mel introduces a powerful mindset tool designed to ... Show More
1h 24m
Jul 23
1161: Bottom-Up Calm: Building Resilience Through The Body
In today's episode, Gina continues her discussion of using the body to combat anxiety and build resilience. Dr. Stephen Porges' work developing polyvagal theory is touched upon (along with Deb Dana's contributions) and easy to perform practices for developing tolerance to discomf ... Show More
18m 38s
Feb 2025
How To Feel More In Control Of Life: A Revolutionary Approach to Stress, Relationships & Inner Peace with Mel Robbins #525
Studies show we spend up to 70% of our mental energy focusing on things we can't control, which affects our relationships, stress levels and health. But what if there were two simple words that could help us all break free? Today's returning guest is Mel Robbins. Mel is a former ... Show More
2h 8m
Feb 2025
125: Anxious vs. Avoidant: Breaking the Unhealthy Push-Pull Dynamic in Love With Jimmy Knowles
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too much in a relationship while your partner seems emotionally unavailable, you’re not alone. The anxious-avoidant dynamic is one of the most common (and frustrating) relationship patterns—but is it doomed, or can it actually work? In this episode ... Show More
48m 22s
Jan 2025
How Can The Let Them Theory Help Me? ft. Mel Robbins
If someone isn’t for you, let them. Easier said than done, but in today’s episode, we’re joined by Mel Robbins (@melrobbins), motivational speaker and author of “The Let Them Theory”, to tell us how. After Mel comes in hot with a reality check that we may be the cause of our bigg ... Show More
55m 23s
Aug 7
Reset Your Mind & Soul: How to Find Peace When Life Feels Overwhelming
This episode will help you live a more peaceful and fulfilled life, even in a chaotic world. It's an invitation to pause, reset, slow down, and reconnect with yourself. And it’s a masterclass in how to release the tension you’re holding and unlock the calm, grounded confidence yo ... Show More
1h 16m