Erin Berman
Founder, Superbloom Health (& Lifelong Storyteller)
For as long as she can remember, Erin Berman has been a storyteller, crafting poems on napkins at restaurants and writing her memoir in 5th grade. It’s no wonder, years later, Forbes described her as, “A natural speaker with an art for telling tales.” With hopes of becoming a professor, Berman majored in English Literature and Communications and later got her MFA in Creative Writing. It was around that same time that she began working in tech, using her natural talent and love for storytelling to help Silicon Valley start-ups build thoughtful brand identities. In the years following she worked with several multinational companies and lifestyle brands, eventually launching her full-service content marketing agency, Blackbeard Studios.
Then, at Twenty-Seven, Erin Berman began experiencing chronic pain and a slew of weird symptoms to which no doctors could agree on a diagnosis or treatment plan. When traditional health-care failed her, she took matters into her own hands, exploring alternative forms of medicine and realizing along the way that she wasn’t alone. In fact, 80% of women will face some chronic condition in their lives.
Disheartened and feeling like the entire healthcare system was stacked against women, Thirty year-old Erin Berman launched Superbloom Health in October. Driven by a mission to help women experiencing chronic illnesses feel less alone, the online community gives all women a place to find comfort in connecting and provide resources for combating chronic illnesses. Perhaps more than anyone, Erin Berman knows the power stories have in connecting us as humans, which is why Superbloom is dedicated to empowering women to share their stories and know that, “Together, we’ll heal.”
Who were you at twenty?
I was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Oxford studying literature and theology. I was (and still am) deeply passionate about literature, narrative theory, and the intersection of storytelling, culture and religion. Oxford was where I found a whole new way of learning and engaging with texts, and it solidified my plan to pursue a Masters in Creative Writing. I was fiercely independent at that time, and took any opportunity I could to travel while continuing my studies. I have been studying Buddhism since I was 15, but I had (wrongly) romanticized and latched onto the “life is suffering” concept, which resonated with how I thought you needed to be to create art and write, and when coupled with perfectionism and studying in a place of privilege really pushed me deeper into those unhealthy obsessions. I wore all black, drank copious amounts of coffee, hand rolled cigarettes, took long runs along the River Thames, discovered punting and Pimms and played polo, studied the Romanticists, Transcendentalists and St. Thomas Aquinas pretty much 24/7, and had the coldest winter I’ve ever lived through. It took another few years and some larger life shakeups before I realized that suffering was not anything I wanted to romanticize or strive for.
How have you evolved since?
I was very hard on myself at that time, including limiting my experience of emotions. I was always hyper sensitive, struggled with anxiety, control and needing to fit into a perfect box of success in the many avenues that takes in life - personally, professionally, physically, and in my relationships. I pushed myself to create art, read, write, travel and “do” so many things that set me on my trajectory for the rest of my twenties. I don’t regret all that period of “doing” but now I am much more interested in how I’m “being.” Since shifting that focus, there’s space for all the things, all the mess and feelings and unknowns in life I used to push away! My meditation practice is more centered, and joyous. I’m trusting of the process and flow of life. I can stay present through challenges, maintain self-love and compassion. I’ve been through devastating heartbreak and life threatening illness and so I truly don’t sweat the small stuff like I used to. I still practice Buddhism, but it comes from a spacious place and calm abiding, not an egoic focus on suffering or progress on the path. I’m a big believer that things will always work out the way they are supposed to. The most magical connections and opportunities in my last decade have come when I surrendered.
On applying storytelling to brand building
I launched my creative agency Blackbeard Studios because I saw a need for startups to engage storytelling and content. This was before content marketing was a buzzword, or anyone had really heard of ‘brand storytelling’ so startups saw a real need for what I was offering. I used everything I had learned in my literature studies about hero’s journey, mythology, world building and archetypes, and everything I’d learned in my theology studies about persuasive, engaging, evangalistic messaging to create my own lens of storytelling. I began working with a lot of different startups, VCs, and multinational companies, but I always preferred mission-driven brands who stood for something more than just a product.
On experiencing chronic illness
I was ill with mysterious autoimmune and GI symptoms for years. I went to dozens of doctors and specialists, all without concrete answers. I was prescribed lots of pharmaceuticals, and was scheduled for biopsies, colonoscopies, endoscopies, X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds and so many blood tests. On top of being sick for years, just navigating the medical system, treatments, and insurance bills was its own challenge. I found out I wasn’t alone - that 80% of all women will face some kind of chronic condition in their life whether that’s skin rashes, IBS, lupus or painful periods. Healthcare has both a gendered and racist bias that stacks the odds against women - especially in the BIPOC community. There’s a lot that needs to change and women need other options.
On launching the Superbloom community
I launched Superbloom as a safe place women could come together for healing, support and solutions, with a long-term vision to have an impact on women’s healthcare. You can create a health profile and engage with other women in the forums to start to crowdsource information on your condition or questions you might have about health while sharing solutions and support - and it’s your choice if you want to remain anonymous. There are already some inspiring conversations happening in the forums, ranging from working through anxiety and trauma, loneliness from Covid, premature hair loss, autoimmune, rashes, and ME/CFS. We also are launching our health coaching program, so women can receive 1-1 holistic health coaching from experienced coaches. This will empower women to find support and an actionable plan to reach their health goals outside traditional doctors offices.
On how we can all better support those experiencing chronic illnesses
It’s all so personal. I think the main thing is not to wait for someone who is suffering to ask for help - asking for help can often feel like a burden for someone who is ill. Also know that just because someone doesn’t *look* sick, doesn’t mean they might not be facing an invisible challenge - physically or mentally - that requires support from their community. Ultimately, have compassion for what anyone is going through. Never make any kind of judgement around someone else’s experience.
On mentorship
I’ve primarily only worked with male CEOs and venture capitalists throughout my career. I was often the only female in any kind of leadership role and craved mentorship. That’s one of the reasons this year I’ve been mentoring other young women in their twenties on similar paths. I believe in creating opportunities for the next generation of women that I never had. I encourage anyone to reach out to me if I might be able to offer guidance on their career or wellness journey.
What advice would you give yourself at twenty?
You don’t need to be suffering to be a writer or artist or live a fulfilled life. You don’t need to be meditating in an ashram to be spiritual. Creating can come from a place of magic. Prayer is in everything we give our time to. Happiness can be something we choose daily.
What would you say to a twenty-something year old about finding her place in the
World?
Relax, go with the flow and have fun. Don’t take things so seriously. Do continue to take chances.
As for Superbloom’s plans for 2021– Erin says, “We’re diving deeper into conversations of impacting women’s health at scale via content, community and coaching. And right now we are focused on growing our community. Whatever you are facing, large or small is welcome here at Superbloom. Join us!”