Ever since the day her dad taught her how to stand on her head, Cheryl has seen the world differently. For example, although she grew up in the small northwest Indiana town of Hobart, she decided to DREAM BIG. Cheryl wanted to become an Olympic gymnast, so she got a paper route and bought a balance beam. Next, she bought a unicycle--her b
Ever since the day her dad taught her how to stand on her head, Cheryl has seen the world differently. For example, although she grew up in the small northwest Indiana town of Hobart, she decided to DREAM BIG. Cheryl wanted to become an Olympic gymnast, so she got a paper route and bought a balance beam. Next, she bought a unicycle--her backup plan. If all else failed, she would run away and join the circus to work her way "up the ladder" and become Miss Vertigo of the Flying Trapeze! Cheryl never made it to the circus, but she got close. Cheryl became a champion of the reality athletic hit TV show American Gladiators in Hollywood.
Turns out that swinging on ropes, scaling walls, and powering through obstacle courses was an awful lot like being in the circus...and she’s been chasing—and catching—dreams ever since!
Nothing has stopped her—not even a severe genetic speech impediment nor a childhood scarred by mockery and inadequacy. It wasn’t until college that a chance meeting with a stranger bearing a gift changed the course of things to come. Cheryl realized she didn’t have a speech impediment; she had a life impediment. So, she made a choice—the choice to change. A change that eventually opened doors for a career in television, radio, and public speaking. It seems that was the day she first became a "champion." Not bad for a girl who couldn't even say her name.
When Cheryl was young, her mom read the classic storybook, The Wizard of Oz to her. Cheryl's mom and Dorothy had something special in common; they were both orphans. Even though Cheryl grew up with three older siblings and two younger ones, sometimes she felt invisible, just like Dorothy. So, Cheryl set out to make new friends who could
When Cheryl was young, her mom read the classic storybook, The Wizard of Oz to her. Cheryl's mom and Dorothy had something special in common; they were both orphans. Even though Cheryl grew up with three older siblings and two younger ones, sometimes she felt invisible, just like Dorothy. So, Cheryl set out to make new friends who could support her dreams as she journeyed down her own
Yellow Brick Road to life.
Shortly after returning to Indianapolis from Hollywood, Cheryl became the executive producer and host of her own Telly Award-winning, syndicated, educational TV show, The Body Perfect by Cheryl. When Cheryl realized the childhood obesity epidemic loomed on the U.S. horizon, she shifted her focus away from inspiring and educating adults to empower healthy habits in kids since lifelong habits are easier to learn as children. As executive producer and star of Adventures in Oz with Cheryl™, a 3-part DVD series for kids ages 3-8, Cheryl won over a dozen national awards, including the Yellowstone Film Festival "Grand Geyser" award, the Dove Foundation's 5-star rating, and the Hollywood Film Advisory Board's "Award of Excellence. Cheryl also garnered national recognition from Difference Makers International, the President's Council on Physical Fitness & Sport and was named at Valparaiso University's 150th anniversary one of their Top 150 Most Influential Alumni.
For more than a decade, Cheryl took a live show version of "Adventures in Oz with Cheryl" on the road, kicking off in her hometown of Hobart, Indiana, all the way to New York City--and beyond! From school convocations to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to festivals and parades, Cheryl invited kids to dance & sing & play their way down the Y
For more than a decade, Cheryl took a live show version of "Adventures in Oz with Cheryl" on the road, kicking off in her hometown of Hobart, Indiana, all the way to New York City--and beyond! From school convocations to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to festivals and parades, Cheryl invited kids to dance & sing & play their way down the Yellow Brick Road to Fun & Fitness! Cheryl (aka Dorothy, your fitness expert from Oz) became a role model for kids teaching values and healthy habits that can last a lifetime. So, what will this children's entertainer and American Gladiators champion do for an encore? Well, meet "The Writing Gladiator"...
Like her desire for physical excellence, Cheryl's passion for writing also started young when movies like Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wizard of Oz aired only once a year on TV, and for Cheryl, that wasn't often--or magical--enough. So, she spent her summer vacations writing her own Pooh adventures. (In fact, in her office, Cheryl still proudly displays the papier-mache Pooh bear she made in 8th-grade art class.)
Writing her children's film, TV/radio show scripts, and hundreds of inspirational speeches taught Cheryl how the power of story can take up permanent residence in a person's heart. After recovering from a genetic heart defect and life-saving open heart surgery, Cheryl is "reaching for the hearts of kids" again because "a book can forever hug a child's heart!" Today, this multi-national award-winning children's film producer and star, longtime SCBWI member (12+ years), CBA graduate, and multi-media storyteller writes books that bring meaning, purpose, and joy to kids. Look for books by Cheryl ... coming soon!
(Editors & Agents: Manuscripts, Pitches, and Bio Available Upon Request)
Cheryl grew up in Hobart, Indiana, in a caring family with five brothers and sisters. Ever since her mother read The Wizard of Oz to her, Cheryl began dreaming big, making friends, and taking risks. Her father taught her how to stand on her head, fueling a lifelong pursuit of physical excellence. So, Cheryl combined these gifts from her parents to create the award-winning Adventures in Oz with Cheryl children’s film. Now, kids can COLOR their way down the Yellow Brick Road to Fun and Fitness as Cheryl journeys from Hobart to Hollywood—and into the homes and hearts of kids across America!
"FREE" Adventures in Oz - Coloring Book (pdf)
DownloadJoin me on a journey down the "Yellow Brick Road to Fun & Fitness!"
Featuring two of the seventeen songs from the original soundtrack
A Mother and Daughter's Journey Over the Rainbow!
A Glimpse of "Growing Up Silich!"
When American Gladiators Champion, Cheryl Ann Silich, discovered that the strongest people she knows are not found in the gym—they are found on their knees—she began sharing her spiritual journey “from bodybuilder to faith builder.” To discover how Cheryl brings stories of faith, hope, and purpose to kids of all ages as a Christian radio show host, speaker, and spiritual director,
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Hello! I'd love to hear from you to discuss how we can encourage and delight our kids as they journey down their own Yellow Brick Road to Life!
Cheryl Ann Silich Cheryl@CherylAnnSilich.com 317.573.9500
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