In this captivating episode of Mermaid Tales, we dive deep with Erika, a professional mermaid performer from the Chicago area who goes by @thatbigislandmermaid on Instagram. 

Erika's journey beautifully illustrates how childhood dreams can transform into adult realities through determination and action. Her story begins with a pivotal family trip to Hawaii's Big Island during high school, where she instantly knew she had to return someday. True to her word, she made it happen by attending the University of Hawaii Hilo, studying in the town of Kona during what she describes as ”the best time of my life.”

It was during her college years that Erika's mermaid dreams literally came true when she won a Fin Folk Productions Riverbend tail in a giveaway right before her birthday – what she calls perfect ”universe timing.” 

This serendipitous moment led to her first professional gig as a mermaid extra in the indie film ”Mermaid's Lament,” now available on Amazon Prime. After graduating and returning to Chicago, Erica discovered the power of social media in connecting with the mermaid community, finding Windy City Mermaids through Facebook groups and eventually becoming one of their first hires when the company was just starting.

Erika's underwater expertise extends far beyond mermaiding into serious scuba diving credentials. She's a certified rescue diver and dive master who took a gap year before college to pursue marine conservation work. Her diving adventures have taken her to incredible locations including the Bahamas where she got certified, Costa Rica where she earned her dive master certification, and Turks and Caicos during a study abroad program. 

Her passion for marine life shines through when she discusses her favorite underwater encounters – particularly sharks, including an unforgettable dive in Costa Rica where she spotted twenty black tip reef sharks on a single dive.

The professional side of mermaiding comes with unique challenges and requirements that Erika navigates with expertise. Working at the Michigan Renaissance Festival for two years, she's learned to manage everything from chlorinated water effects on her eyes to the art of going incognito between shows, donning cloaks and hoods to avoid being recognized by fans. 

The industry has evolved significantly since she started, with Windy City Mermaids now requiring PADI mermaid certification for water gigs and performer's insurance becoming increasingly standard across the field.

When it comes to equipment, Erika has built an impressive collection of seven tails, including savvy secondhand purchases from Facebook groups – a money-saving tip she enthusiastically shares with aspiring mermaids. 

The heart of Erika's story lies in the magical connections she creates with fans. She shares touching stories of recurring visitors, including a woman who returned to the Renaissance Festival with her newborn baby after being pregnant during their first photo the previous year, and young Addie, whom Erika first met at a hotel meet-and-greet, then performed at her birthday party, and encountered again at Unicorn World. 

The community aspect of mermaiding clearly enriches Erika's experience, from her close friendships within the Windy City Mermaids pod, particularly with Mermaid Sushi and founder Mermaid Emily, to her joy in introducing non-mermaid friends to the experience. Her story demonstrates that the mermaid community truly exists everywhere – you don't need an ocean to make waves, and childhood dreams can become adult realities regardless of your location or circumstances.

Listeners can connect with Erika on Instagram @thatbigislandmermaid, TikTok @mermaidErika, or through the Windy City Mermaids website where she's featured. 

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