“If I can do this, so can you!”
CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR FEATURE: SERENITY MCWHORTER
The CHEERFIT ambassador community is filled with leaders and motivators who all share a passion for fitness, love for cheering and drive to help inspire others.
Our ambassadors share with us their personal stories and obstacles they overcome along the way. We have an amazing community of athletes who fuel their passion and determination with the CHEERFIT lifestyle – they are a constant reminder that despite the setbacks or difficulties we all often face, we can do anything we want if we just keep focusing on the prize! This week, we learned how one amazing ambassador doesn’t let anything that may seem like a limitation stand in her way. We are honored to share with you our ‘Ambassador of the Week Feature’ with Serenity McWhorter!
CAN YOU SHARE WITH US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AND HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
When I was 4 years old, I was diagnosed with Autism, ADD, ADHD and PDD. It was hard for me to speak or interact with others without feeling overwhelmed. I was very unhappy. My doctor thought it would be a good idea to try cheerleading. Cheer really helped me get control of my hyperactivity. On top of the physical release, cheer also helped me interact with others on a team. Cheering gave me an outlet I never knew! Cheerleading and fitness became an obsession, and it helps me in my daily life. For years I thrived on the Diamondz special athletes team and crossed over to mainstream teams all the way up to level 4/5. I competed with them for 5 years before the gym shut down. I was devastated! I lost my love for cheerleading and fitness. It got so bad I developed a mental block toward any kind of physical activity.
The next year, things got even worse. I was a victim of mental and physical bullying at my school, and broke the growth plate in my elbow. After that, I was scared to return to school. Today I am home schooled. On top of all that, our house, my only safe haven, was broken into! They stole all of my personal things! I was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and PTSD as a result of all the events in such a short time.
I had to fight to get my life back!
I started going back to the last place I felt happy. I went back to cheerleading, at a new gym, Carolina Crossfire Cheer. With the guidance of Coach Angela Koenig, I quickly realized that cheer and fitness programs help me cope with daily struggles. I can honestly say I am back to the happier and stronger me. I finally feel I have a safe place to be me. I have learned to set goals for myself. I love working out and feeling that I accomplish something. I have found excitement in introducing others to the amazing personal benefits in being CHEERFIT.
My goal is to help raise Autism Awareness, inclusion and acceptance, as well as for special needs solo athletes to be included in athletic competitions. I am only 10 years old, but some days I feel like I have lived so much more. Then I realize how far I have come. I have gained so much. I have even won several solo, team, and pageant competitions, including 2016 World’s Perfect Athlete Cheerleader Super Hero Grand Champion. In 2016, I have become involved with several charities, and have done a lot of volunteer work. By the end of the year I will be featured in a modeling magazine. I want others to see how far they can go too. I hope others see disabilities in players are not limiting factors.
We are all athletes. We all struggle. Together, anything is possible.
I am already reaping the rewards of becoming a CHEERFIT ambassador. I have learned that my family, new and old friends, teammates, coaches, and therapists will support me and keep me focused, as I travel down my road to CHEERFIT. I appreciate all of their help, and love how devoted they are to help me reach new heights as an athlete, as an advocate, and as an ambassador for CHEERFIT.
– CHEERFIT Ambassador Serenity McWhorter
HOW HAS BEING AN AMBASSADOR HELPED YOU?
Being a CHEERFIT Ambassador has helped give me a platform to reach out to others. I want to help people see that regardless of your limitations, you can achieve great heights. Being physically fit and putting your best effort into things is not only for the elite. Everyone can do this!
WHAT NEW OPPORTUNITIES HAS BEING A CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR OPENED UP FOR YOU?
Being a CHEERFIT Ambassador has opened doors I never dreamed possible. I can use my CHEERFIT fitness plan and encourage others to do the same. It allows me to reach my personal best. CHEERFIT allows me to help others see I am not limited, but can do anything I set my mind to do. As an ambassador for CHEERFIT I can tell them all “If I can do this, so can you!”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A CHEERFIT AMBASSADOR?
My favorite part of being a CHEERFIT Ambassador is being able to help others understand the importance of being physically active, and motivate them to get CHEERFIT. Being a CHEERFIT ambassador has really helped me to get back in condition for the upcoming cheer competition season. When my friends and teammates see my improvement, I can tell them all “If I can do it, YOU can do it! Get CHEERFIT!”
FUN FACT: WHAT 3 THINGS ARE ALWAYS IN YOUR CHEER BAG?
Actually, there’s four things for me! 🙂 I always have a water bottle. Hydration is key to staying healthy. As an advocate for Autism Awareness, I usually have my Autism Awareness, CheerLyfe and “Hope” Bows attached to my bag to display my devotion towards positive strides in cheer, hope, and responsibility. My tablet is a must so I can follow the CHEERFIT fitness plan and use it at the gym! Soon I hope to have my CHEERFIT workout outfit to show others that fitness is not just something to dream, but something to achieve!
FAVORITE SONG TO JAM OUT TO DURING A SWEAT SESH:
My all-time favorite song to sweat to is Confidence by Demi Lovato. Let’s face it, a little bit of confidence goes a long way!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISE?
I could never skip stretching, and it is by far my favorite exercise of all. I want so to be a better flyer, and stretching allows me to lengthen those muscles so I can safely and easily reach all those complex body positions in the air. I also like doing anything to strengthen my legs for more power when I tumble. My dream is to reach the highest level skills as possible, and be like Angel Rice, and I know stretching and power exercises are essential to reach that goal.
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story Serenity! You are an inspiration and your story moved us all! We know you will continue to do amazing things and show the world what you are capable of! We hope you will always keep the CHEERFIT community updated on your achievements – we are lucky to call you a CHEERFIT ambassador and have someone like you represent our brand!
Stay FIT <3,
your CHEERFIT team
cheerFIT is so much more than just a workout brand – we are a lifestyle, a community and an inspiration. We are a community who is strengthened through fitness – both mentally and physically. It is our mission to spread the awareness that cheerleaders need fitness. We are dedicated to building a community of strong, powerful individuals who are a true inspiration to their team and leaders in their community. Together we are disrupting the traditional methods of fitness training and revolutionizing the way people think about cheerleading and their fitness needs! Are you the next cheerFIT Ambassador? Apply today.
Congratulations Serenity McWhorter! You have reached another milestone in your life goals! We are sooooo proud of you! We see you when you struggle AND when you prevail! Keep on your path of staying cheerFIT and helping others. #cheerFITAmbassador #WPA #AutismAwareness #worldsperfectathlete
#CarolinaCrossfireCheer