Hi there, I’m Irina Erickson!
I know how hopeless and desperate depression can be. I have been there. I know feeling, alone, lost, and misunderstood or worse, feeling like you just don't belong.
I am currently enrolled in the Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Northwestern University. In this program, I am specializing in child and adolescent mental health and hope to bring my love of horseback riding and equines into my work.
In my free time, I love Solidcore, strength training, curating my dream wardrobe, and spending time with my family and cat, Dakota.
I started with a shaky voice speaking into a microphone in my closet to create the podcast, The Active Optimist. I really believe that with knowledge and awareness, we can be empowered to make authentic decisions when it comes to our mental health. I created The Active Optimist so you can be mentally healthy, alert, and happy. And help you practically achieve your mental wellness goals.
The Active Optimist
began as a podcast hosted and produced by Irina in 2020, but its roots trace back to her experience with undiagnosed depression in high school. The Active Optimist is real and raw - made by someone who’s been educated by depression itself. Since then, the podcast has grown into a brand that seeks to revolutionize how we think of mental health. Creating a safe space for exploration outside the treatment room, embracing life’s natural healers, and building a good foundation for mental wellness. If you are undergoing treatment, we seek to spark ideas to complement whatever therapy or medication you have.
The Active Optimist’s most recent push in the world of fitness marks the beginning of the company’s journey and mission to continually educate on lifestyle habits that positively effect anyone’s mental life.