In this episode of the Surfacing Leaders podcast, host Marc Koehler has a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Charlene Wheeless, former NFL cheerleader, women’s keynote speaker, best-selling author, and leadership expert.

Charlene’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and conscious choice. Through her experiences, she challenges the myths around success and leadership, offering a fresh perspective on what it really means to lead with purpose.

The conversation explores the lessons Charlene learned on the sidelines of the NFL and in high-stakes corporate environments. She discusses the emotional toll of fitting in, the hidden cost of performance, and how cancer forced her to confront her identity and ultimately redefine her life. Charlene’s mantra, “choice, not chance,” becomes a guiding theme for the episode.

Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on:

Leading through influence, not authority
Owning your story instead of performing a role
Finding alignment between who you are and how you lead

Join us in this unforgettable episode to learn how Charlene Wheeless reclaimed her voice—and how you can too.Learn more about Charlene Wheeless:
Website
LinkedIn
Book: You Are Enough

Living Life by Choice, Not Chance, with Former NFL Cheerleader & Cancer Survivor Charlene Wheeless