Introduction
Energy is contagious when it comes from someone who truly lives what they teach. Take Cheryl A. Patella, for example. She is someone who radiates vitality and purpose. She has several years of experience in medical fitness, life coaching, and wellness education. She has guided countless women over 40 to rediscover their strength and confidence. Through personalized programs and compassionate coaching at Total Conditioning LLC, Cheryl helps her clients move better, feel stronger, and live with renewed purpose.
Cheryl understands the physical and emotional changes that midlife brings because she has lived through them herself. Her virtual coaching sessions reach women across the country, helping them manage hormonal changes, joint pain, and fatigue through realistic fitness and mindset strategies. As the author of The 21st Century Woman and Menopause Mastery, she uses her writing to inspire women to take that first step toward transformation. In this interview, Cheryl opens up about her journey, her philosophy, and how small, consistent actions can start lifelong change.
Q1: You’ve been helping clients improve their health and vitality for over 45 years. How has the fitness and wellness industry evolved during your career, and what changes have you found most empowering for women?
Cheryl A. Patella: When I started, fitness was focused almost entirely on appearance. In fact, when I changed my profession to fitness, it was because I lost 30 pounds of college weight gain and changed my own lifestyle to one of empowerment. I saw what it did for me and what it could do for other women. Today, we understand that true wellness is about longevity, strength, and mental well-being. I’ve watched women move from dieting and deprivation to owning their power, using fitness to stay vibrant, confident, and independent at every age. That shift toward strength and self-care has been the most rewarding part of my career.
Q2: You specialize in helping women over 40 regain energy, strength, and confidence. What makes your approach different from traditional personal training?
Cheryl A. Patella: I combine science, movement, and mindset. My programs address hormonal shifts, flexibility, and recovery, which are things that traditional training often overlooks. I don’t just count reps; I teach women how to move better, think differently about aging, and build strength that supports real life. It’s a whole-person approach to vitality.
William D. Talbot, CDME, CEO of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, says, “Total Conditioning considers your individual needs to customize a program just for you. Cheryl Patella excels in providing the top level of service to her clientele.”
Q3: Your programs combine movement, anti-aging science, and emotional well-being. How do you help clients create lasting transformation, not just temporary results?
Cheryl A. Patella: I focus on education and consistency. With my clients, I learn what motivates them and use it to their best advantage. There are days when some clients don’t really want to be there, and that is when you need to pull out all the stops and help your client to turn it around. When women understand why their bodies change and how to adapt, they stay committed. I guide clients to make small, meaningful changes in movement, nutrition, and mindset that create sustainable results.
Harriet Shapiro from Miami says, “Cheryl has added years to my life both in quality and quantity. While my friends have lost mobility and frequently fall from balance issues, Cheryl’s discipline and guidance keep me safe and able to enjoy the things I love, such as traveling and enjoying activities with my family. I count my sessions with Cheryl as critical to my life support.”
This reflects how my goal is always transformation that lasts, not motivation that fades.
Q4: Many women struggle with menopause, flexibility, and maintaining muscle strength as they age. What key advice do you give to help them thrive through these changes?
Cheryl A. Patella: Menopause isn’t the end of vitality; it’s the beginning of a new chapter. The key is movement, proper recovery, and balanced nutrition. Strength training, stretching, and self-compassion are essential. I tell women: your body isn’t failing you, it’s asking for a different kind of care. Listen to it, and work with it, not against it. Whether it’s menopause, a problem with their business, or a relationship, women need to be their number one priority, and their health is the core of taking care of that priority.
Q5: You’ve inspired thousands through your writing and coaching. What do you believe is the most powerful lesson about aging and wellness that women need to hear today?
Cheryl A. Patella: Aging is not a decline; it’s an evolution. I’ve seen women in their 50s, 60s, and beyond become stronger and more confident than ever. The secret is staying curious, consistent, and connected to your purpose. Wellness is not about perfection; it’s about creating energy and joy that carry you forward every day. I have been blessed and honored to see incredible transformations happen with my clients. Sometimes it’s subtle and other times it’s life-altering. Having great health, no matter where you are, makes a difference in so many ways, not just in longevity but in functionality and practicality.
Once, a client was at an event in a restaurant. Going down a flight of stairs, she slipped, almost tumbling down a long, narrow staircase. She recovered, grabbing the railing. She thanked me for the quick response and strength to save herself. Another client came into my session, telling me her boat came loose in the storm the previous night. In helping to secure it in the rain, her husband slipped while tightening the ropes and would have fallen between the boat and seawall, being crushed, but she managed to grab him while pulling on the ropes and saved him, herself, and the boat. She would never have had the confidence to attempt such a rescue without the strengthening and confidence-building sessions we shared. Others have transformed their bodies, building self-esteem and confidence to tackle some of life’s hardest challenges, both in business and their personal lives, myself included.
One of my clients, Susan Levinson, says, “After five years under your care, I am stronger and more motivated to keep strong and healthy. I am so lucky to be your student.”
Q6: Who is your ideal client?
Cheryl A. Patella: Some may say my services are a luxury in life. How can you place that value on your health? I am an integrative coach and health expert. It is not cheap, and some feel it is out of their reach. My rates are based on my expertise, which is at an elite level in my profession. But I do help people to realize its affordability. If you want something in business, you figure out how to make it happen. You need to be the priority in your own life to be that creative, whether it’s time or money. Cut out something not as integral to your quality of life, and it becomes doable. My ideal client is someone ready to invest in their health and long-term vitality, especially women over 40 who want to feel strong, confident, and capable again. They’re done with quick fixes and are ready for a smart, sustainable approach that fits their life. I love working with individuals who are open to learning, willing to challenge old habits, and committed to feeling their best from the inside out. Even when they are not emotionally ready to take that step, I get them there, and soon they begin to realize how empowering it is to feel strong and confident, capable of winning in their own lives.
I have had clients who were terrified to take this step and go about it just like any other business endeavor. They interview me to see if I am someone they want to let into their lives to test the waters, so to speak. That has led to years of building a successful relationship, providing the rewards they embrace.
Q7: You have impressive experience that extends far beyond personal training, from developing women’s rehabilitative and orthopedic programs to designing spas and fitness centers, and even writing books and articles. What drives you to take on such diverse projects?
Cheryl A. Patella: I seem to have always taken on challenges and crossed the boundaries life set before me. My faith is strong, and I rely on it to guide, inspire, and motivate me to push forward. I grew up in a world where women were limited in terms of opportunities, but I did not let that stop me. I’ve always believed that growth comes from challenge. Each new project, whether it’s creating a rehabilitation program, designing a wellness space, or writing a book, pushes me to learn, adapt, and give back in a deeper way. My foundation, rooted in faith, is helping people live better, and that mission expands naturally into everything I do. I’m driven by the idea that wellness isn’t one-dimensional; it’s physical, emotional, and even environmental. I have so much knowledge and experience that I want to share with others, so writing is a natural outlet for me. Every new venture is another way to inspire others to live fully and well.
Lois Silverman in New York expressed her heartfelt gratitude: “Thanks to Cheryl Patella, at the age of 75, my body is in great shape. I am so grateful to have muscle definition, strength, balance, and improved posture, all thanks to Cheryl’s knowledge of anatomy and dedication to excellence. I have had several trainers over the years, but I have never achieved this level of toning and strength. I marvel at Cheryl’s laser attention to detail and her insistence on perfect form. Although very serious about the manner in which she trains, she is also good-humored and is full of great practical advice. I consider myself very fortunate to have a trainer of Cheryl’s caliber. She is changing my life one session at a time.”
Health is the foundation on which all success is built. Often, others don’t realize this until they get a personal health scare in their own lives. Without a healthy foundation, neither business nor personal achievement can stand strong. Creating that foundation takes more than motivation; it requires the guidance of a skilled, compassionate professional who understands how to bring out your best. When you feel supported, inspired, and capable, showing up becomes something you want to do, not something you have to do. Take the first step, and I will help you to define and reach those health goals that will make a difference in your life.
I am working on a free guide titled Foundations of Vital Living to help you get started on your health journey today.
Conclusion
Cheryl A. Patella proves that transformation begins with one step. Her work shows that strength and wellness are within reach for every woman willing to take that first move. Through her experience, she shows that proper fitness is more than exercise; it’s a connection between body, mind, and spirit. Each client she meets gains a guide who listens, understands, and empowers. Her approach breaks away from quick fixes and unrealistic routines. Instead, Cheryl focuses on what’s real and sustainable. She helps women build resilience, restore balance, and reignite joy, thereby giving women the confidence boost to put themselves first and live fully. Because, as she often says, “With each step, you get closer to your goal and become more certain that you can do this!”
If you have any questions, you can always email Cheryl at cheryl@cherylapatella.