Cheryl Burke’s Journey Shows That Real Strength Comes from Within
Cheryl Burke, a former Dancing With the Stars pro, has been dancing a different kind of routine lately — one filled with strength, self-love, and sobriety. She recently celebrated seven years of choosing clarity over chaos, and her story is something every middle schooler should hear.
“Here’s to 7 years sober,” she wrote. “Here’s to choosing clarity, wholeness, and me. One day, one hour, one minute at a time.” That’s not just a quote — it’s a reminder that even when things seem hard, every small step forward matters.
When Cheryl first gave up alcohol, she thought it meant saying goodbye to all the fun in her life. “7 years ago, I thought sobriety would mean losing everything. The fun. The freedom. The fearless version of me I thought only showed up after a drink.” But she soon discovered something much deeper: “But what I didn’t realize back then … Was that the escape I craved was really from myself. And the girl I ran from? She was the one waiting to save me.”
Cheryl explained that drinking made her feel like she had confidence and control — but those feelings weren’t real. “I used to believe alcohol gave me confidence, connection, and control. Turns out, it stole those things quietly — day by day — until I couldn’t recognize my own reflection.”
Now, instead of chasing chaos or fake friendships, she lives in peace. “Today, I no longer chase chaos dressed as fun. I no longer tolerate connections that require me to abandon myself. And I no longer mistake numbness for peace.” Through her journey, she has gained “Presence. Peace. Self-respect.”
What helped Cheryl the most was her faith and belief that she wasn’t alone. “… a relationship with my Higher Power that reminds me I was never walking alone — not even in my darkest moments. God didn’t take the pain away,” she said. “He held my hand through it and gave me the strength to rise.”
To anyone who might feel hopeless, Cheryl has this to say: “If you’re reading this and wondering if it’s possible — I promise you, it is. There’s a whole world on the other side of rock bottom. And it’s so much more beautiful than I ever imagined.” She finished with one more reminder: “If you’re struggling: there is another way. I promise you, it’s beautiful.”
Cheryl’s story proves that being brave doesn’t always mean being loud — sometimes it just means showing up for yourself every day. She thought she’d lose everything without alcohol, but she actually found the best parts of herself. That’s something everyone — no matter their age — can learn from.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/T-FSf1SQXIY?si=9B1Oli_ccc3MbMDY
- https://entertainmentnow.com/dancing-with-the-stars/cheryl-burke-celebrates-seven-years-sobriety/
- https://www.tvinsider.com/1204339/dwts-cheryl-burke-sobriety-alcoholism-booze/
- https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/health-and-fitness/846341/dwts-cheryl-burke-emotional-update-couldnt-recognize-own-reflection/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
- https://chatgpt.com/
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