Cheryl A. Patella, M.S., Medical Fitness Specialist, Master Health Coach and Published Author’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cheryl A. Patella, M.S., Medical Fitness Specialist, Master Health Coach and Published Author. Check out our conversation below.

Cheryl A., it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
My passion most of my life has been helping others: working in health & wellness, coaching others to find their direction, counseling people struggling with challenges, fundraising for worthy causes – they are all great but recently I have come to realize that exactly where I am right now is bringing me the most joy I have ever had. I am grateful for everything I have and a grateful heart is a joyful heart. I am embracing who I am – who God has made me to be – and reveling in it! It is not ego or greatness it is a state of grace and being thankful for all I have. There is something to be said about aging and leaving the uncertainties of youth behind. I have a deep appreciation for life – especially my life. And I am filled with joy!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve spent over 45 years helping people move with confidence, feel stronger, and live with vitality. With a background in psychology, health, fitness, women’s wellness, and aging, I’ve learned that true transformation isn’t just about exercise or nutrition—it’s about how we live, think, and care for ourselves every day.

One thought can shift your direction—or stop you in your tracks. That’s why mindset matters as much as movement. When you replace self-doubt with focus and strength, you create the foundation for lasting success.

As the founder of my whole-life wellness approach, I’m passionate about helping others live their best life with purpose, energy, and joy. My philosophy is simple: when you strengthen your body and calm your mind, everything else begins to align.

Through decades of collaboration with doctors, wellness professionals, and clients of all ages, I’ve seen that true health is built on balance—movement, mindset, and meaning. When you strengthen your foundation, you don’t just add years to your life—you add life to your years.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’ll be honest — I started out being exactly who the world told me to be. But today, I’m free to be who God created me to be. A few experiences when I was younger chipped away at my confidence, and for a long time, I tried to live up to everyone else’s expectations. We live in a society that tells us how to look, act, and achieve, and I found myself constantly responding to that noise.

Over time, I began asking the hard questions — Who am I really? Why do I do what I do? That inner work, combined with faith, changed everything. In a world that often feels anti-spiritual, my faith became my foundation. Now, I live by my own standards — guided by purpose, not pressure.

There’s a freedom in that — an empowering, limitless freedom that allows true joy to shine through. Because in the end, how we feel inside is what we reflect to the world.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back most of my life is the fear of not being enough — not good enough to try, not smart enough to become, not pretty enough to be seen. You don’t just wake up feeling like that – things happen to cause a person to not believe in themselves. To make you afraid. That kind of fear can quietly steal opportunities before you even realize it. But I had enough and began to be who God created me to be and embrace it. With time, I’ve learned that I’m exactly where God wants me to be. I teach others you are unique. There is no one in the world exactly like you and there is a reason for that. We each have something special to give and the world needs that.

Fear has a way of controlling us, but most of it lives only in our minds. The moment you face it — and truly believe in who God created you to be — everything changes. You have to want your purpose more than your fear, and you have to back that up with faith and discipline. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
That’s a great question, especially in my field. There are thousands of products and programs promising the world — to make you thinner, sexier, younger, more successful, or more fulfilled. Whether it’s a pill, an injection, a cream, or a so-called “breakthrough” method, the truth is there’s nothing new under the sun. And if it sounds too good to be true — it is.

Nothing replaces the power of healthy living. Real health doesn’t come from a bottle or a shortcut; it’s built through consistent lifestyle choices — nourishing your body, calming your mind, and grounding yourself in faith. Your body is made from the same earth God created, and the closer you stay to nature — through whole foods, movement, rest, and spiritual balance — the stronger and more vibrant you’ll be.

I customize every program so each client receives the approach that truly fits them. The foundational principles remain the same because they work, but the application is entirely personal. A 40-year-old high-performance executive has different needs than a 78-year-old retiree. Each works within their own capacity, pursuing goals that reflect their stage of life — whether that means refining their physique and optimizing health, or maintaining strength, confidence, and vitality for the lifestyle they love.

We live in a time when influencers and quick fixes are everywhere, selling us an image or a dream. But if you took that same energy and invested it in your health, your faith, and your purpose — recognizing your own gifts instead of measuring yourself against others — you’d find yourself truly on top of the world.

Confidence, strength, courage, and compassion — those are the real measures of success. When you live by those values, not only will your life align with your purpose, but you’ll also discover something far greater than any trend can offer: genuine joy.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Up to now, some people reading this might think I don’t have many faults — but here’s the truth. This question hits home for me because I’ve struggled with it over the years. I’m single, and my two four-legged kids don’t exactly say, “Thanks, Mom, you’re the best!”

Sure, some of my clients thank me for helping them improve their health, strength, or mindset. But not everyone wants to hear they need to change their habits — sometimes it’s like taking candy from a baby or in my case taking a treat from my dogs! Still, I find creative ways to help people reach results they didn’t think were possible.

And then there’s my land — I can spend hours planting, mowing, shaping, and working until everything looks just right. No one else may notice it, but I’ll stand back, look at what I’ve done, and say to myself, “That looks really great.”

The truth is, I’m wired to give 100%, whether anyone sees it or not. It’s not about meeting someone else’s expectations; it’s about meeting my own, and God’s. If I know I’ve fallen short, I feel it deeply — so I do my best, always. When I make a mistake, I own it, correct it, and move forward.

At the end of the day, it’s not the applause that matters — it’s knowing, deep down, that you gave your best. Because the only person you truly have to live with is yourself.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
The 21st Century Woman-Breaking Boundaries-credit Al Diaz
Headshot & Pilates picture-credit Marie Cetin

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