Meet Cheryl Jones

Background & Training

I’ve dedicated four decades to helping people thrive in body, mind, spirit, heart, and soul.

I grew up in Connecticut and my desire to live a healthy lifestyle inspired me to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in health education and exercise science.

My curiosity about the connection between health and spirituality brought me to the University of Saint Joseph where I gained qualifications as a spiritual counselor. I’m a certified coach and have completed extensive teacher training in Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program.

Formerly the Director of Mindfulness at Aetna, an American managed health care company, I was voted one of 12 Most Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement by Mindful magazine. I’ve written two books, Thriving When Your Cosmic Egg Is Cracked: A Mindful Journey and Mindful Exercise: A Bridge Between Yoga and Exercise.

I am passionate about

Living the healthiest, fullest life possible and from this place of personal well-being, to foster positive social impact. I am passionate about helping you to crack your code to create a healthy lifestyle filled with meaning and purpose.

My specialty is

Teaching mindfulness to help your whole self to heal and grow. I’ll teach you how to break your Thriving Vision down into small sustainable steps—one moment, one breath, one conscious choice at a time.

What thriving means to me

Lovingly recognizing that I am making choices all day long. I celebrate when I do that which supports my health and well-being. I cut myself a break when I don’t, and begin again.

How I help myself thrive

I ask myself throughout the day, “What is the most self-caring choice I can make right now?” Having a mindfulness practice helps me know what I need in the moment.

Who inspired me to do this work

My high school volleyball coach and physical education teacher, Linda Hamm inspired me to design a career helping others to be fit and healthy. I recall her telling me that I played volleyball with my heart. Turns out, this is how I’ve lived my life.

Most memorable book I read recently

Reading The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer gave me the courage to trust myself and to have faith in the unfolding of my journey. It validated the importance of honoring my soul’s desire.

Greatest achievement

Raising my two children as a solo parent through tumultuous times and now seeing them flourish, has been the greatest accomplishment and blessing of my life.

Wisdom I’d offer my younger self

People usually don’t mean to hurt you. They just don’t have the capacity to do any better. Bless them and stay focused on what you can be in charge of—yourself!

Happy place

Biking the Cape Cod Bike Path with my sweetie.

Fun fact

I owned a fitness studio in New York City back in the 80s where I was a personal trainer to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Favorite quote

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong." —Ella Fitzgerald