CHEROKEE LUKER

Founder & Wellness Coach

CHEROKEE LUKER

Founder & Wellness Coach

WHEN DID YOU LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS? WHAT IS THE MESSAGE BEHIND YOUR BRAND?

I launched my business Train With Cherokee in December 2019. The message behind my brand is that I want women to realize that being strong is sexy, and with my wellness coaching, the message I put out there is that wellness is an all encompassing way of life. It’s mental, spiritual, and physical. I launched my first ever fitness program called The Strong Is Sexy Program in December 2020, so very recently. The program not only targets women, but men as well, because who doesn’t want to feel strong and sexy?

WHAT WERE THE DEFINING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER THAT TAUGHT YOU THE BIGGEST LESSONS?

Fitness and wellness hasn’t always been a strong point in my life. I’ve built my body and business with lots of hard work, dedication, studying, and effort. After having been in the modeling industry for a little over seven years now, my body has been scrutinized and critiqued more than I can begin to explain. It took lots of trial and error trying to figure out what worked best for my body and made me feel the most optimal. Not only from a physical standpoint, but also from a mental, spiritual, and emotional perspective as well. After having gone through all of this, I’ve learned so much about how to train and treat the body, and that is why I am here. I want to help people become the best versions of themselves! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that becoming healthy and fit isn’t just about the outside appearance, but more importantly it’s about how staying active and living a healthy lifestyle makes you feel on the inside. I wanted to share my passion with the world, so in 2019 I decided to get my ACE certified personal training certification, and took all my years of studying health and wellness and became a trainer and wellness coach.

SOMETIMES WE'RE ALL BAD MUTHAS (AS WE SHOULD BE). WHEN DID YOU GO AGAINST TRADITIONAL ADVICE THAT PROPELLED YOU FORWARD?

Traditionally, at least where I grew up, once everybody graduated from high school, they went straight off to college. A decision I made in my life, that I think really gave me a different outlook, and helped me gain a lot of life experience was deferring two years from the University I was accepted to, to travel and intern in Hong Kong, and then live in Panama and volunteer at an orphanage. Panama is where my love for health and wellness began. I helped to start a completely organic and self sustainable wellness destination retreat program at a high end resort that still runs successfully today. After my two years was up, I returned to the states where I attended The University of New Hampshire, and eventually transferred to The University of Hawaii. At first, I was afraid of being judged for making the decision to not go to college right away, but now looking back on it, it was some of the most transformative years of my life.

WHEN DID YOU LAUNCH YOUR BUSINESS? WHAT IS THE MESSAGE BEHIND YOUR BRAND?

I launched my business Train With Cherokee in December 2019. The message behind my brand is that I want women to realize that being strong is sexy, and with my wellness coaching, the message I put out there is that wellness is an all encompassing way of life. It’s mental, spiritual, and physical. I launched my first ever fitness program called The Strong Is Sexy Program in December 2020, so very recently. The program not only targets women, but men as well, because who doesn’t want to feel strong and sexy?

WHAT WERE THE DEFINING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER THAT TAUGHT YOU THE BIGGEST LESSONS?

Fitness and wellness hasn’t always been a strong point in my life. I’ve built my body and business with lots of hard work, dedication, studying, and effort. After having been in the modeling industry for a little over seven years now, my body has been scrutinized and critiqued more than I can begin to explain. It took lots of trial and error trying to figure out what worked best for my body and made me feel the most optimal. Not only from a physical standpoint, but also from a mental, spiritual, and emotional perspective as well. After having gone through all of this, I’ve learned so much about how to train and treat the body, and that is why I am here. I want to help people become the best versions of themselves! One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that becoming healthy and fit isn’t just about the outside appearance, but more importantly it’s about how staying active and living a healthy lifestyle makes you feel on the inside. I wanted to share my passion with the world, so in 2019 I decided to get my ACE certified personal training certification, and took all my years of studying health and wellness and became a trainer and wellness coach.

SOMETIMES WE'RE ALL BAD MUTHAS (AS WE SHOULD BE). WHEN DID YOU GO AGAINST TRADITIONAL ADVICE THAT PROPELLED YOU FORWARD?

Traditionally, at least where I grew up, once everybody graduated from high school, they went straight off to college. A decision I made in my life, that I think really gave me a different outlook, and helped me gain a lot of life experience was deferring two years from the University I was accepted to, to travel and intern in Hong Kong, and then live in Panama and volunteer at an orphanage. Panama is where my love for health and wellness began. I helped to start a completely organic and self sustainable wellness destination retreat program at a high end resort that still runs successfully today. After my two years was up, I returned to the states where I attended The University of New Hampshire, and eventually transferred to The University of Hawaii. At first, I was afraid of being judged for making the decision to not go to college right away, but now looking back on it, it was some of the most transformative years of my life.

"GRATITUDE IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT THING TO CARRY WITH YOU IN LIFE. IT IS THE ANTIDOTE TO JUST ABOUT ANY NEGATIVE FEELING THAT YOU MAY HAVE."

WE ALL NEED A CHAMPION. WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED YOU?

This one is easy. Without a doubt it’s my man, and future father to my baby, Josh. Never once has he faltered in showing me unconditional support and love in all the things that I do. Not only that, but he encourages me, and pushes me to go even further than I feel I’m capable of, which I appreciate so much. He challenges me to run towards my fears.

REVERSE THAT. WHO IN YOUR LIFE DO YOU SUPPORT WITHOUT JUDGEMENT?

As a natural nurturer, my little brother is always someone who I feel I need to protect, defend and support no matter what. He was a 3 sport athlete growing up, and always the best one on his team, and I loved going to every one of his sporting events and being his biggest fan.

REWIND. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?

The number one thing my mom always taught my brother and I growing up, is to always be grateful for the life you live. There is always someone out there who has it much worse than you, so count your blessings. Gratitude is such an important thing to carry with you in life. It is the antidote to just about any negative feeling that you may have. So, whenever I’m feeling down, I just think of 5 things I’m grateful for and the feelings subside.

FAST FORWARD. WHAT INSIGHT CAN YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WOMEN IN THEIR CAREERS WHO WANT TO BE A LEADER IN THEIR SPACE?

I know this sounds kind of cliche, but I think authenticity is the number one most important thing in becoming a successful leader or role model in any space. If you’re not doing something out of pure passion and love in your heart, it’s going to show. So, if you can find that thing in life that lights you up and brings you so much joy, so much so, that you’d do that thing for free every day, then you know you’re on the right path.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO MUTHA YOURSELF AND ENSURE YOU STILL HAVE SOME 'ME' TIME?

A few non-negotiables I have everyday are getting in at least 30 minutes of intentional movement, whether it’s a long walk, a great workout, a hike, or a run. I also love to journal, listen to podcasts, read, and pamper myself with a little face mask, or bubble bath, and of course lather myself in the MUTHA body butter so I can feel really sexy.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO MANAGING CAREER AND ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE?

I’m a Virgo, so naturally I have very type A tendencies. Routine and lists are really big for me. Every night before I go to bed, I schedule out my day ahead in a list form, so that way I know what to expect and what I need to get done. I have a specific notebook for this, because I like physically writing them out. The satisfaction of manually getting scratch things off the list just feels so good, and helps me to be more productive throughout the day.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR STORY?

When I first found out I was pregnant, I resisted a lot. Mainly because of my career, and the fact that I felt like I was just starting on my path. Being 27 years old, I felt like I was not ready to join motherhood just yet. As my pregnancy has progressed, I’ve slowly let go of that resistance and I’ve started to embrace the beauty and gift that I’ve been blessed with. While it has put a lot of things on hold for me career wise, I know that the unconditional love that I’m about to experience when my baby boy is born is incomparable to any strides made in my career. It’s really made my priorities shift, and has helped me value the simple things in life.

WE ALL NEED A CHAMPION. WHO IN YOUR LIFE HAS CONSISTENTLY SUPPORTED YOU?

This one is easy. Without a doubt it’s my man, and future father to my baby, Josh. Never once has he faltered in showing me unconditional support and love in all the things that I do. Not only that, but he encourages me, and pushes me to go even further than I feel I’m capable of, which I appreciate so much. He challenges me to run towards my fears.

REVERSE THAT. WHO IN YOUR LIFE DO YOU SUPPORT WITHOUT JUDGEMENT?

As a natural nurturer, my little brother is always someone who I feel I need to protect, defend and support no matter what. He was a 3 sport athlete growing up, and always the best one on his team, and I loved going to every one of his sporting events and being his biggest fan.

REWIND. WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?

The number one thing my mom always taught my brother and I growing up, is to always be grateful for the life you live. There is always someone out there who has it much worse than you, so count your blessings. Gratitude is such an important thing to carry with you in life. It is the antidote to just about any negative feeling that you may have. So, whenever I’m feeling down, I just think of 5 things I’m grateful for and the feelings subside.

FAST FORWARD. WHAT INSIGHT CAN YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING WOMEN IN THEIR CAREERS WHO WANT TO BE A LEADER IN THEIR SPACE?

I know this sounds kind of cliche, but I think authenticity is the number one most important thing in becoming a successful leader or role model in any space. If you’re not doing something out of pure passion and love in your heart, it’s going to show. So, if you can find that thing in life that lights you up and brings you so much joy, so much so, that you’d do that thing for free every day, then you know you’re on the right path.

HOW DO YOU LIKE TO MUTHA YOURSELF AND ENSURE YOU STILL HAVE SOME 'ME' TIME?

A few non-negotiables I have everyday are getting in at least 30 minutes of intentional movement, whether it’s a long walk, a great workout, a hike, or a run. I also love to journal, listen to podcasts, read, and pamper myself with a little face mask, or bubble bath, and of course lather myself in the MUTHA body butter so I can feel really sexy.

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO MANAGING CAREER AND ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF LIFE?

I’m a Virgo, so naturally I have very type A tendencies. Routine and lists are really big for me. Every night before I go to bed, I schedule out my day ahead in a list form, so that way I know what to expect and what I need to get done. I have a specific notebook for this, because I like physically writing them out. The satisfaction of manually getting scratch things off the list just feels so good, and helps me to be more productive throughout the day.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR STORY?

When I first found out I was pregnant, I resisted a lot. Mainly because of my career, and the fact that I felt like I was just starting on my path. Being 27 years old, I felt like I was not ready to join motherhood just yet. As my pregnancy has progressed, I’ve slowly let go of that resistance and I’ve started to embrace the beauty and gift that I’ve been blessed with. While it has put a lot of things on hold for me career wise, I know that the unconditional love that I’m about to experience when my baby boy is born is incomparable to any strides made in my career. It’s really made my priorities shift, and has helped me value the simple things in life.