Pause, Breathe, Pivot: Finding Strength and Purpose with Cheri Warcholak Lohrey

Life rarely follows the path we imagine. Sometimes the detours, challenges, and unexpected diagnoses become the very moments that shape our resilience. In episodes 7 and 8 of Reignite Resilience, we sit down with author, artist, and educator Cheri Warcholak Lohrey. Through her journey of navigating a life-altering car crash, chronic illness, and creative reinvention, Cheri teaches us how to find strength, purpose, and hope when plans fall apart.

These episodes explore how pausing, breathing, and pivoting are not just concepts—they’re tools for thriving, even when life throws curveballs.

Featured Episodes

Episode 7: Finding Strength When Life Pivots + Resiliency

Cheri opens up about how pivotal moments, like a teenage car crash and subsequent life shifts, taught her the mechanics of resilience. She shares how learning to pause without getting stuck, breathe without drifting, and pivot with intention became the foundation for navigating adversity.

Key Insights:

• Resilience is a practice, not a personality trait.

• Strength grows when you honor what was, accept what is, and explore what could be.

• Support from others—family, friends, and even mentors—can accelerate healing.

Notable Quote:
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style."

Episode 8: Finding Purpose Through Illness, Art + Resiliency

In this episode, Cheri shares how living with MS and channeling life experiences into art gave her a renewed sense of purpose. From creating children’s books like Cleo the Caterpillar Can Pivot to working on her forthcoming book I Am Cleo, she shows that embracing creativity and self-worth can transform even painful circumstances into meaningful work.

Key Insights:

• Purpose often appears when we surrender control and trust timing.

• Creativity can be both a healing tool and a vehicle for advocacy.

• Real-life challenges, from illness to family struggles, can become sources of inspiration and action.

Notable Quote:
"What I have learned to do is to surrender. Everything happens in perfect timing. I trust, I believe, I receive."

Themes and Takeaways

Embracing Change

• Change isn’t always gentle, but it can be navigated with intention.

• Pause, breathe, pivot: a simple mantra for real-world adaptability.

• Key takeaway: You don’t have to leap; steady steps forward count just as much.

Purpose Through Challenge

• Illness and life pivots can reveal hidden strengths and passions.

• Art and storytelling can transform personal struggle into shared resilience.

• Key takeaway: Your story can inspire others while also healing yourself.

Strength in Community

• Support systems matter: mentors, friends, and family can mirror your progress.

• Accepting help doesn’t diminish resilience—it amplifies it.

• Key takeaway: Resiliency grows when we let others in and give ourselves grace.

Intentions of the Week

1. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
   Understand your own responses to change and extend compassion to others navigating challenges.

2. Lead with Integrity and Authenticity
   Stay true to your values, even when circumstances tempt compromise. Your voice matters, especially in moments of uncertainty.

3. Pursue Knowledge and Self-Improvement
   Every pivot is an opportunity to learn. Seek insights from both hardship and success to grow stronger and wiser.

Practical Steps to Build Everyday Resilience

Subscribe to the Reignite Resilience newsletter to receive weekly insights, tools, and inspiration from stories like Cheri’s. Strength, hope, and practical steps for navigating life’s twists await you in every issue.

Tools to Resiliency

1. Pause Without Pressure – Give yourself moments to reflect without expecting immediate solutions.

2. Breathe With Awareness – Simple mindfulness exercises can help you manage stress and maintain clarity.

3. Pivot Intentionally – When life reroutes you, explore new paths rather than forcing old ones.

4. Channel Struggle into Creativity – Use journaling, art, or storytelling to process emotions and inspire others.

5. Build Your Support Network – Identify friends, mentors, or communities that can provide perspective, encouragement, and accountability.

Cheri’s story reminds us that resilience is about creating a new normal anchored in purpose, connection, and gentle strength. Life may pivot in ways we never expect, but with intention and support, it’s possible to thrive, not just survive.

Take a deep breath, honor your journey, and remember: pause, breathe, pivot.

Warmly,

Natalie & Pam, Reignite Resilience Cohosts