Step into Your Voice and Own Your Story with Dr Cheryl Wood
The Amberly Lago Show: Stories of True Grit and Grace
Release Date: 04/01/2026
The Amberly Lago Show: Stories of True Grit and Grace
Welcome to another powerful episode of The Amberly Lago Show! This is one of those conversations that will truly make you pause, reflect, and ask yourself some deeper questions about your life. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Jessica Smarro, licensed therapist, mindset coach, speaker, and author of the powerful book In Pursuit. Jessica’s work is centered around helping high-achieving women break free from burnout, perfectionism, and the invisible pressures that keep them stuck, even when life looks “perfect” on paper. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve checked all the...
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Welcome to another powerful episode of The Amberly Lago Show! This is one of those conversations that will truly stay with you long after you hear it. In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Matthew Long, firefighter, endurance athlete, and one of the most resilient people you will ever meet. His story is nothing short of extraordinary. Matt was in the best shape of his life, training for marathons and Ironman races, when everything changed in an instant. While riding his bike to work in New York City, he was run over by a 40,000-pound bus and given just a 1% chance to live. What...
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Welcome to a deeply heartfelt episode of The Amberly Lago Show. In this powerful and emotional conversation, I sit down with the incredible Jessica Smith Moyer, wellness and leadership coach, speaker, and woman of deep faith who has walked through unimaginable loss and still chooses to lead with strength, compassion, and purpose. Jessica’s story is one of resilience in its truest form. From navigating an eating disorder at a young age to facing the devastating diagnosis and loss of her infant son, she has experienced the kind of grief that changes you forever. And yet, through it all, she...
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Welcome back to another powerful episode of The Amberly Lago Show! In this conversation, I sit down with the incredible Amy P. Kelly, USA Today bestselling author, leadership expert, and someone who has spent decades helping organizations and leaders navigate what truly matters, people. This episode is all about a truth that so many of us feel but don’t always say out loud: work is personal. We can try to separate business from emotions, performance from people, but the reality is, people don’t leave their humanity at the door when they show up to work. And when leaders forget that,...
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Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Amberly Lago Show! In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Cheryl Wood, internationally renowned TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and CEO of Global Speakers University. Cheryl is truly a force, not just because of what she has achieved, but because of the journey she took to get there. From working as a legal secretary in corporate America to becoming a global speaker, seven-figure entrepreneur, and transformational leader, Cheryl’s story is a testament to what’s possible when you refuse to stay stuck in a...
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Welcome to one of the most important episodes I have ever recorded on The Amberly Lago Show. I sit down with my incredible friend Becky Rasmussen, CEO and founder of Call to Freedom, a nationally recognized nonprofit on the front lines of the fight against human trafficking. Becky was called to this work by God, stepped out in faith as a single mom with no paycheck, and built something extraordinary from the ground up. What started with one divine encounter with a young girl named Marissa at the Sturgis Rally in 2015 has grown into a gold standard organization that has served nearly 1,900...
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Welcome to another empowering episode of The Amberly Lago Show! In this powerful conversation, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Terri Alford, also known as the Women’s Wealth Strategist. Dr. Terri is a former educator and principal turned financial leader, entrepreneur, and founder of TNA Financial Group, where she helps professionals and business owners build wealth with clarity, confidence, and purpose. In this episode, we dive into a topic that many people avoid talking about openly: money, financial freedom, and building a legacy. Dr. Terri shares her inspiring journey from working in...
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Welcome to a deeply meaningful episode of The Amberly Lago Show. In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, I sit down with my dear friend, fellow CRPS warrior, bestselling author, speaker, and suicide loss advocate Tiffaney Lindsey Childers. Tiffaney doesn’t just talk about resilience, she has lived it. After losing both of her parents to suicide and carrying years of suppressed grief and emotional trauma, she found herself navigating unimaginable pain, both emotionally and physically. Through that journey, she discovered that unprocessed grief doesn’t just disappear, it finds a way to...
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Welcome to another powerful episode of The Amberly Lago Show! In this heartfelt and deeply honest conversation, Amberly sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and mentor Mairin Moore Cane to explore resilience, healing, and the courage it takes to rebuild your life when everything changes. Mairin opens up about her extraordinary journey through chronic illness, severe health struggles, and the moment her life completely shifted after years of pushing herself through nonstop hustle and entrepreneurship. At one point bedridden and weighing only 90 pounds, she was forced to confront one of...
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Welcome to a truly inspiring episode of The Amberly Lago Show! In this conversation, I sit down with powerhouse communication coach, bestselling author, and Broadway star Renee Marino to dive deep into the art of authentic communication, building confidence, and creating true connection, both online and in person. Renee shares her proven 7-step CONNECT method, offering actionable strategies to master communication, own your unique story, and maximize your presence, whether you’re networking, presenting, or building your brand online. We explore how self-awareness, embracing vulnerability,...
info_outlineWelcome to another inspiring episode of The Amberly Lago Show! In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Cheryl Wood, internationally renowned TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and CEO of Global Speakers University.
Cheryl is truly a force, not just because of what she has achieved, but because of the journey she took to get there. From working as a legal secretary in corporate America to becoming a global speaker, seven-figure entrepreneur, and transformational leader, Cheryl’s story is a testament to what’s possible when you refuse to stay stuck in a life that no longer aligns with your purpose.
In this episode, Cheryl takes us back to where it all began, growing up in poverty, navigating life without a college degree, and believing that a steady paycheck was the definition of success. But deep down, she knew she was meant for more. Through courage, faith, and a willingness to take imperfect action, she began building her path, starting with a simple t-shirt business that eventually led her to her first speaking opportunity.
We talk about the real struggles behind success, the fear, the self-doubt, the comparison, and the “head trash” that holds so many women back from stepping into their calling. Cheryl shares how she learned to stop waiting, start showing up, and trust that she was already enough.
This conversation is honest, empowering, and deeply relatable. If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or afraid to take the next step toward your dreams, this episode will remind you that your voice matters, your story matters, and your next level is possible.
We Discuss:
• Cheryl’s journey from corporate America to global speaker
• Growing up in poverty and breaking generational limitations
• The moment that pushed her to stop surviving and start living
• How taking imperfect action led to her first speaking opportunity
• The power of showing up and building meaningful connections
• Fear, limiting beliefs, and comparison as the biggest blockers for women
• Why failure is a necessary part of success
• How to overcome imposter syndrome and self-doubt
• The importance of alignment with your purpose and calling
• Practical ways to push through fear and take action
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Cheryl Wood
03:20 From corporate job to dreaming bigger
08:45 Growing up in poverty and breaking the cycle
14:10 The moment everything shifted
20:05 Starting her first business with no experience
26:30 Her first speaking opportunity and breakthrough
32:15 The power of showing up and connection
38:40 Why fear, comparison, and limiting beliefs hold women back
45:20 Overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt
52:10 How to push through fear and take action
To Connect With Dr. Cheryl Wood
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https://www.instagram.com/cherylempowers/
Website
https://www.cherylempowers.com/
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