"Dr. Erica Elliott not only shares pivotal events that have shaped her extraordinary life, but through them, she also shares the essence of what it means to be human. She reminds us that challenges, confusion, and physical and emotional pain are inseparable from life, but so is delight. She shows us that we can discover unknown strength, if we choose to test it. She chose repeatedly to do so, and each time she emerged stronger and added a piece to the mosaic that is her unusual, spellbinding life.

As her extraordinary, often breath-taking experiences show, the very things that can paralyze us can also innervate and galvanize us—if we lean into them instead of trying to circumvent them. She is proof that even when we feel the most powerless and vulnerable, we can marshal our wits, courage and determination in service of our agency and that we can emerge triumphant.

Dr. Elliott reminds us that it’s okay to be confused. Although it may not be comfortable, it can lead us to new possibilities, if we only remain open. She is ever curious, with an indestructible sense of curiosity and wonder. She also reminds us with her own life how crucial self-compassion is and that on the other side of remorse, joy often awaits us.

Her candor and forthrightness are striking. She never descends to “airbrushing” her experiences in order to present herself in a more favorable light. Rather, she renders her stumbles and struggles with unfailing integrity and humility. A teacher at heart, Dr. Elliott illuminates the often puzzling, sometimes terrifying yet always precious and poignant human condition. On the surface, From Mountains to Medicine is a thrilling account of some of her many astonishing experiences. It is far more than that, though. The underlying metaphor of facing—and scaling—some of life’s daunting 'mountains' speaks to all of us."

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~ A reader’s description of Erica’s second memoir, "From Mountains to Medicine."