Who are you, and what do you do?
My name is Jolene Cherry, and apart from being a passionate advocate for fitness and health in general, I’m a Personal Trainer and Yoga Teacher based out of Oregon. I’ve built a career out of helping people and believe that everyone can begin a journey towards happiness through exercise, mindfulness and proper nutrition.
What has been one insight or lesson that has been most helpful in your career?
You need to invest in all aspects of your well-being: mentally, physically and especially emotionally. As adults, so many demands are placed upon us, but only after we’ve taken adequate time to find our inner balance can we serve others in fulfilling ways.
What has been your favorite mistake? A mistake that in retrospect led to a great lesson and progress.
Cadence. So many of us begin new ventures full of excitement and enthusiasm, but once the honeymoon phase wears thin, we often lose heart and give in to the temptation of quitting. To me, cadence is everything. Physical fitness, whether it’s achieved through cardio, weightlifting or vigilant yoga practice is a marathon, not a sprint. While there will be moments that require a higher tempo, I always encourage my students to be mindful of the present. Weight loss, muscle building or nailing that new yoga pose all require persistence and time. If you can allow yourself that you’ll be rewarded in the end.
Project forward ten years. How will your industry or field be fundamentally different then? What opportunities do you see?
New trends or fads are always coming and going in the fitness realm, but the core concepts worth mastering usually remain constant. That being said, I’m genuinely excited about the intersection of smart tech and health. We’ve already seen an emergence of wearable technology designed to monitor your habits and exercise routines, but I believe that as the products mature as well as our analytical understanding of the data, that we’ll be able to make great strides in our fitness both as individuals and as a culture.
What are some bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
In my field, there this an overwhelming amount of information available online, at the local bookstore, or in passing at your local gym. As with any industry, some of the information is trustworthy and reliable while others not so much. If you seek physical training advice from someone who isn’t’ properly certified, you need to be very mindful and proceed with caution. We only have one body, so pay attention to how it responds to diet changes and new fitness routines. If you have any concerns or hesitations about proper form, you should contact a professional to be safe.
In the last two years, what have you become better at saying no to?
Oddly enough, I’ve finally become comfortable saying no to events that I know I’ll never make. Instead of leading with a false impression that I’ll be in attendance and coming up with some random excuse to back out the last minute, I just respectfully decline. So far this hasn’t had any negative consequences and I think my friends and colleagues appreciate the honesty.
What is the one book you recommend most often and why?
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
What advice would you give a smart and ambitious recent college graduate? What advice should they ignore?
Stay curious, whether it’s about people, travel, books, hobbies or business. Curiosity leads to passion; passion leads to action; action leads to a fulfilling life.
What is your favorite quote, one you aim to live by?
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou
Connect
The best place to reach me is via my personal website or social media.
https://www.jolenecherrywellness.com/
https://twitter.com/jolenecherry33
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolene-cherry-208459198/