Every inch of kitchen counter space was in use. All five of us were busy measuring, stirring, rolling, sautéing, and baking. There was flour and oil everywhere. And most of us were wearing some of it. No one was thinking about clean-up, as we were simply trying to get the meal done so we could finally sit down and eat.
As a wife, mom, and former corporate go-getter, Cheryl knows firsthand the frustration of trying to do it all and feeling that none of it is good enough. After twenty-five years leading and coaching teams in the male-dominated technology space, she stepped away from that world and embarked on a mission to enhance her relationships with her teenage sons and, at the same time, empower other working women to become more curious about their options and reevaluate their priorities.
She now coaches women to help them feel their best, increase their confidence, and put themselves at the top of the list. Cheryl lives outside Boulder, CO, where she enjoys hiking, skiing, and all things outdoors.
1.. How do you balance out time spent focused on writing?
(Cheryl) I love the outdoors and picked up hiking again about a year before I started writing my book. Hiking is not only great exercise, but there’s something about being in nature that calms me and brings perspective to everything else going on in my life. It’s definitely a great change of scenery from the four walls in my office and increases my focus while I am writing.
2. What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
(Cheryl) I’ve moved to a new city across the country or world three times without having a job when I got there. The last and most significant was when my husband and I quit perfectly good jobs in Chicago and moved to Colorado without income lined up. This time was different because we had our two month old son on our adventure with us. It took a few weeks for my husband to find a sales position and then I chimed in with some consulting opportunities that led to a full time job.
3. What’s your favorite meal to make?
(Cheryl) I love tackling the big meals – Thanksgiving, Christmas and other gatherings. I enjoy the planning aspect of it and ensuring that everything works together. If you’ve read my book, you’ll understand why that’s important in my house.
4.) What’s your favorite meal to eat?
(Cheryl) I could eat Mexican food everyday. Especially tacos. Growing up in San Diego, good Mexican food was always around so I never got sick of it.
5.) What’s your favorite holiday or other celebration?
(Cheryl) I love Thanksgiving. Not only because there’s no judgment for how much you eat, but because it’s just about being together. There’s no scrambling to find the perfect gift or stressing about how much you should spend. No one in particular is at the center of the day. You’re just there to be together and celebrate your relationships. We should do more of that throughout the year.
6.) If you could cure any disease, what would it be?
(Cheryl) My dad was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease so I would definitely focus on that. It’s horrible to watch the people you love lose their memories and themselves, and be aware that they can’t do anything about it. It’s horrible for the person with the disease and incredibly painful for those who love them.
