What happens when life repeatedly pulls the rug out from under you?
For Cheryl, the answer has always been the same: get up, reinvent herself, and keep moving forward – literally.
Her journey is one of grit, adaptability, and a relentless refusal to give up, even when the odds seemed impossible.
From Trauma to Triumph
Cheryl’s story begins with a life-altering event: a traumatic brain injury and coma while raising a two-year-old son on her own. Most people would have struggled to simply survive. Cheryl chose to rebuild.
That resilience carried her into the fitness world—where, with zero prior experience, she started a thriving fitness business at Barton Hills Country Club. Her success wasn’t built on expertise at the start, but on determination, curiosity, and a willingness to learn fast.
Facing Depression Head-On
“Depression will convince you that you don’t belong anywhere… that it’s never going to get better. That’s false,” Cheryl says.
Her battle with severe depression was long and hard-fought. Instead of a quick fix, she committed to a two-year process of gradually weaning herself off antidepressants—discovering that movement became her most reliable medicine. Fitness wasn’t just exercise; it was a lifeline.
Redefining Fitness with Age
At 63, Cheryl’s workouts look different than they did in her younger years. She’s shifted from high-intensity routines to strength training and walking, embracing her brother’s wisdom:
“I quit running so that I could walk forever.”
It’s a philosophy that honors longevity and sustainability over pushing to exhaustion—a mindset we could all benefit from adopting.
Choosing Health, No Matter What
Even in her lowest moments, including losing her business and living in her car, Cheryl made a choice to keep her gym membership.
“This place was my drug,” she says.
That commitment to her health, even when everything else fell apart, speaks volumes about the role movement played in her survival and eventual renewal.
Whether you’re navigating a health challenge, reinventing your career, or simply trying to find your footing during a difficult season, Cheryl’s journey is proof that resilience isn’t about avoiding life’s storms. It’s about learning how to float when the waters get rough.
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