Embracing Authenticity & Overcoming Fear – Exclusive Interview With Lark Ericson

Lark Ericson is on a mission to help shy and socially awkward people embrace their authentic selves and confidently navigate any social situation without fear of rejection or embarrassment. Lark understands that dating and networking can be daunting for those who aren't naturally outgoing or confident. Having once avoided socializing due to her own fear of rejection, Lark learned to embrace her "weirdness" and thrive in social settings, achieving success in both love and business. Now known for her confidence and ability to easily initiate conversations, Lark wants to teach others how to ignite their own social superpowers.

Lark Ericson, Relationship and Confidence Coach

Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.

Hi! I’m Lark Ericson, and I’m passionate about helping people grow socially, emotionally, and relationally. Outside of coaching, I love staying active with daily exercise, rock climbing, and exploring new places. At home, you’ll find me snuggling with my dogs, laughing and joking around with my husband, or getting lost in a book. I love being creative, and my sewing skills have earned me multiple blue ribbons at the state fair!

Every year, my husband and I go whitewater rafting with our friends, and I love spending extended periods of time off-grid and camping. Life for me is all about balance, adventure, and loving myself as I am while still embracing the journey of self-improvement.

What inspired you to start Lark Ericson Coaching, and what is the primary mission or goal of your coaching practice?

I wanted to do more with my giving nature than simply follow the status quo. I spent fifteen years working as a nurse, but it wasn’t until I started my own coaching business that my career truly felt aligned with my passions. While I truly love helping people, as a nurse, I often felt limited in the types of support I could offer my patients. My personal mission in starting my company was to let my light shine. For my clients, my goal is to provide unwavering support, meet them where they are in their journeys, cheer them on, and give the tough love needed to help them create the change they want in their lives.

Can you tell me more about the coaching services you offer and the specific areas or issues you specialize in helping clients with?

In my coaching practice, I focus on helping individuals improve their confidence,

emotional intelligence, and relationships. I work primarily with clients who want to feel more authentic in social settings and build deeper connections in both their personal and professional lives. My specialties include:

• Relationship coaching: I help clients navigate romantic relationships, from dating to long-term partnerships. This includes helping people build emotional intelligence, improve communication, and work through challenges like breakups, infidelity, or intimacy issues.

• Confidence and social skills: I coach clients to embrace their authentic selves and gain confidence in social interactions. Many of my clients are professionals in tech or engineering who want to improve their social skills and feel more comfortable in dating and relationship settings.

• Positive intelligence: I incorporate this framework to help clients manage their mindset, break through self-doubt, release unhelpful patterns, and build resilience, whether they're looking to improve their dating life, friendships, or general personal growth.

Across all these areas, I aim to empower my clients to express themselves confidently, embrace vulnerability, and create meaningful, lasting connections.

How do you tailor your coaching approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each client?

My coaching approach involves deeply understanding each client's unique story and goals, then creating personalized plans to meet their needs. Whether someone is navigating a breakup, dealing with low self-esteem, or building social confidence, I listen carefully and design a strategy that supports their emotional and relational growth. I integrate positive intelligence techniques to help shift unhelpful thought patterns, empowering clients to overcome self-doubt and improve their mindset. Throughout the process, I remain flexible, adjusting the plan as the client evolves, ensuring that they feel supported in reaching their full potential. Growth requires change and sometimes you won’t feel up to the task, which is why you need someone holding you accountable. I like to say I’ll be your biggest cheerleader but I’ll also call you out on your shit.

What sets Lark Ericson Coaching apart from other coaching services or practitioners in the industry?

What sets Lark Ericson Coaching apart is my deeply personal and authentic approach, rooted in both relationships and emotional intelligence. I was raised without traditional boundaries or social skills and I had to learn these from the ground up. Now I am confident that I can make friends and do well in any social situation. This unique journey allows me to deeply empathize with clients who feel socially awkward or unsure in relationships. I’ve walked the same path and understand the challenges of building confidence, navigating meaningful connections, and developing emotional intelligence. My coaching combines real-world experience, self-discovery, and the belief that anyone can learn to cultivate healthy relationships and connect authentically. This blend of personal insight and professional expertise offers clients a compassionate, one-of-a-kind coaching experience.

Can you share any success stories or testimonials from clients who have worked with you? How do you measure the effectiveness of your coaching interventions?

“Before coaching with Lark, I struggled with comfortably engaging in interpersonal communication. Then Lark showed me some learned habit patterns that were holding me back. Understanding these has enabled me to connect with people better. The 3 most significant results I’ve experienced from coaching with Lark are more enjoyable conversations with strangers, making new friends, and reconnecting with old ones.

What I loved most about coaching with Lark is her honesty, which comes from a good place. To grow, we need to be held accountable, and she does that." – Steve 43, New Mexico

Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.

I get to write a life coaching column for my local village magazine! Every now and then, someone recognizes me around town and tells me how much they love my articles and how they have helped them in some way. One woman even told me that she always reads my articles first. I write for multiple publications (love ya Brainz!) but I don’t know if anyone actually reads my articles or if they help people in any way. Receiving love and appreciation from the people in my town for the work that I am so passionate about fills my heart with love and gratitude.

Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.

Success is made up of lots of little moments, both wins and failures. I have learned more from my failures than my wins, and I haven’t celebrated or appreciated my wins enough because they always seemed to be overshadowed by my failures. More than the moments, it’s the people in my life who have helped me get to where I am today. All of the people who have given me opportunities, helped me to see that rejection is either protection or redirection, and have made a big deal about my wins and taught me to celebrate and appreciate each and every success. Entrepreneurship is a team effort, and I am grateful to my friends, colleagues, and especially my husband for helping me get here.

For more info about Lark Ericson, follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit her website.

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