Meet Cheryl Hurley

We recently connected with Cheryl Hurley and have shared our conversation below.

Cheryl, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

There was a season in my life when I poured into everyone else, but inside I quietly asked myself, Do I still matter?

I was the encourager, the one always lifting others up. But in 2017, illness knocked me off my feet. Suddenly, I had to stop. That pause was scary. I remember sitting alone, feeling invisible, questioning if my voice still had value.

But that season I discovered that what looked like a breaking point became my breakthrough. In the stillness, I found my resilience. I discovered that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about bouncing forward with new strength. Out of that experience came my first book and a new mission: to make sure every woman knows she matters.

That’s where my three truths were born:

Empowered: I stopped waiting for permission and said yes to myself.

Uniquely Me: I embraced my story, scars and all, as part of my purpose.

Resilient: I chose not to let illness define me, but to let it refine me.

And those truths flow into the three pillars I live by: Purpose, Possibilities, and Power. Purpose reminds me my voice matters. Possibilities remind me that closed doors lead to new ones. Power reminds me to live unapologetically.

So when you ask me how I developed resilience, the answer is: I lived it. Every obstacle became a stepping stone to my next assignment. And that’s why I stand on this message today: YOU Matter! Because if I could find my voice again in the middle of silence, then so can you.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I like to say that my life’s work is about helping people remember the truth that sometimes gets buried under life’s challenges: You Matter.

As a Certified Life Coach and an ordained minister, I’ve dedicated my career to creating spaces where people can discover their God-given purpose, conquer fears, and expand their possibilities. What excites me most about the work I do is watching transformation unfold. Whether I’m coaching one-on-one, leading a group session, or facilitating a workshop, I get to witness people move from doubt to confidence, from fear to faith, and from being stuck to fully alive in their purpose. That moment when someone realizes, I can do this, my passion is refueled for why I do what I do.

My coaching is grounded in a three-step process: empowerment, inspiration, and cultivation. Clients gain the clarity to set intentions, the courage to pursue their dreams, and the resilience to keep going even in the face of setbacks. It’s about equipping people not only to achieve goals but to become unapologetically true to themselves.

Professionally, I’m excited to share some new expansions of my brand. My newest book, Living What You Read: Defining the Fabric of Your Soul, invites readers on a 30-day journey of affirmations and reflections designed to strengthen both mindset and soul. Alongside the book, I’ve introduced the YOU Matter! Signature Bracelet, a wearable reminder of identity, strength, and resilience. And most recently, I’ve launched my handcrafted SOUL, LIFE, and VIVE soaps, a wellness line created to remind women to nurture themselves with the same care they pour into others.

So whether through books, coaching, speaking, or products, my brand is about transformation. My heartbeat is to help people move beyond survival and step boldly into thriving because when you walk like you matter, everything in your world shifts.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are resilience, faith-filled vision, and intentional self-leadership.

Resilience: In 2017, when illness forced me to pause, I learned resilience wasn’t just about bouncing back but bouncing forward. Every setback became a setup for the next assignment. My advice to those early in their journey is this: don’t despise hard seasons. They often hold the very lessons that will strengthen you for what’s ahead.

Faith-filled Vision: I had to learn to believe in a picture of myself and my purpose that was bigger than the moment I was in. That vision gave me the courage to write my first book and to step into new spaces with confidence. For someone starting out, I’d say: dare to see yourself beyond your current circumstances. Vision is the fuel that keeps you moving when the road gets rough.

Intentional Self-Leadership: I discovered that before I could lead or inspire others, I had to prioritize self-care, clarity, and discipline in my own life. That meant giving myself permission to rest, say no, and create healthy boundaries. For anyone beginning their journey, remember: taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary if you want to sustain your calling.

These three qualities align closely with the heartbeat of my YOU Matter! movement: Purpose, Possibilities, and Power. Purpose keeps you grounded, Possibilities keep you reaching, and Power keeps you standing strong even when life tries to knock you down.

So my encouragement to anyone starting out is simple: strengthen your resilience, protect your vision, and lead yourself well. Because when you live like you matter, you don’t just survive the journey; you thrive in it.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, the first thing I do is give myself permission to pause. I call them intentional ‘me-time moments.’ For me, that might look like stepping away to pray, journaling my thoughts, listening to calming music, or simply sitting in silence with a cup of tea. Those pauses remind me that I don’t have to carry everything at once.

What I’ve learned is that overwhelm isn’t always about having too much to d. It’s often about not giving yourself the space to breathe. By creating intentional pauses, I reset my perspective and come back stronger, clearer, and more centered.

My advice is this: don’t wait until you’re completely burnt out to practice self-care. Build small pauses into your daily rhythm. Take five minutes to step outside, breathe deeply, or write down three things you’re grateful for. Those simple moments of stillness can shift your energy, calm your mind, and remind you of your worth.

At the end of the day, it goes back to my core message: You Matter! Pausing for yourself isn’t selfish. It’s how you sustain your purpose and keep showing up as your best self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.empoweredtoinspireyou.com/about
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryl.hurleyinspires/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Empowered2InspireYOU/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/

Image Credits

Cheryl Hurley