We had the good fortune of connecting with Erin Callahan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erin, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Below is one of my favorite quotes…

‘Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage, not weakness.’

I don’t actually know who this quote is from but I try to hold it close to my heart. I am someone who has always been very soft, sensitive, kind and quiet and in the world we live in today these traits can often been seen as a weakness. It becomes difficult to stay true to yourself and maintain these traits when the world around you can be so negative. But it is important that we remember these traits are not a weakness but and strength and it is okay to be yourself no matter what that looks like.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Here is what a week in my life looks like…

During the week and some weekends I work at Children’s Hospital Colorado – North Campus in patient registration. Additionally, I am taking classes at Colorado State University, Online, where I am working on a Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Studies with the goal of becoming a Child Life Specialist once I graduate. A Child Life Specialist is a healthcare professional who uses play and other techniques to help children cope with hospital experiences.

In my off time I also shoot sporting clays competitively with my family and friends. I recently went to our western regional in Arizona and am looking forward to other competitions this year in Kanas, Montana and hopefully more! I have been involved in this sport my whole life and it is how I founded the charity event I organize benefiting Children’s Hospital Colorado. This event occurs on the first Saturday in December every year in Nunn, CO and together we have raised over $88,000 and many truckloads of toys for these hospitalized children during the holiday season.

All these experiences have taught me so many life lessons on work ethic, compassion, integrity and so much more. I am so grateful for all of these experiences and the people I have met along the way. I hope to continue to grow as a student, shooter and as an overall person.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The perfect day for me in my home state of Colorado would include many things. Every good day starts with breakfast so I would go to one of my favorite spots Snooze AM Eatery or Great Scotts Eatery. Next, of course I would take my guest for a day of shooting at my favorite range, Great Guns Sporting located just past Fort Collins, in Nunn, CO! To end the perfect day, pre-COVID at least, I would go to one of my absolute favorite places to spend a Saturday night; The Grizzly Rose in Denver, CO. One of my favorite things is live music, especially country music so this spot is they perfect end to a great day! One other thing I wouldn’t want my guest to miss out on is our beautiful mountains here in Colorado whether it be a hike or just a scenic drive I am a big fan of getting out and exploring nature.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Growing up I have had so many great mentors in my life. As a little kid in the shotgun sports community I spent a lot of time watching my dad and his friends before I was big enough to hold a gun for myself. These men and women not only taught me how to shoot, but also so much about my values and beliefs. I am eternally grateful for all my ‘uncles’ and ‘aunts’ in the shooting community that have helped to raise me into the person I am today.

Website: merrymiracles.simpl.com

Instagram: @erinelizabethhh_

Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/erin-callahan-61424b178

Facebook: Merry Miracles Shoot (@merrymiracles)

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