This powerful episode of the Compared to Who? podcast dives deep into the story of Cheri Garcia, a nationally recognized recovery advocate, entrepreneur, and the founder of Cornbread Hustle. Cheri  joins Heather Creekmore to share her extraordinary journey through addiction, bulimia, and the relentless pursuit of approval and achievement.

What You’ll Hear:


Cheri’s Hidden Struggles: From a “typical” all-American upbringing to battling addiction, reveals how her father’s meth use triggered a desperate search for approval, leading her down her own path of substance abuse. She opens up about her history with meth, alcohol, and bulimia, as well as the shame that hid behind her achievements.


Entrepreneurial Escape: Despite her addictions, Cheri became a successful entrepreneur, starting businesses—even while still in high school. Listen as she describes how workaholism became a new kind of drug, and why success could never satisfy her underlying wounds.


Rock Bottom & Surrender: Cheri’s story takes a pivotal turn after a DWI arrest, propelling her toward sobriety. She shares the moment on Christmas Day when she chose to give herself the “gift of sobriety” and the spiritual awakening that followed, including a haunting worship song, a powerful Bible verse, and a deep confrontation with God.


Breaking the Shame Cycle: The conversation explores the difference between guilt and shame, the importance of vulnerability vs. mere transparency, and why secrets keep us sick.

Cheri explains how confessing your struggles—no matter how dark—can set you free.


Mental Health and Medication: In a refreshingly honest discussion, Cheri talks about her journey with mental health and the complexities of accepting help, including medication, after years of trying to "pray harder" through her pain.


Community & True Friendship: Hear how authentic community, especially among women in recovery, helped Cheri finally accept herself without needing to "offer" anything.

Key Takeaways:


Recovery is often a journey of switching unhealthy fixes for healthier, but sometimes still unsatisfying, ones.


Healing from shame requires bringing secrets into the light and embracing community.


Vulnerability—not just transparency—is where true transformation happens.


Sometimes faith and mental health treatment go hand-in-hand, and there’s no shame in seeking help.


You are worthy of love, friendship, and community, apart from your achievements.

Resources & Links:


Connect with Cheri on Instagram: @luminous_cheri


Find out about We Share: weshare.org/heather

A Note from Heather:

If you find yourself struggling with addiction, body image, or feeling like you have to achieve to be worthy, let this episode remind you: You’re not alone. There is hope, healing, and community waiting for you.

Listen & subscribe for more honest stories that help you stop comparing and start living!

This powerful episode of the Compared to Who? podcast dives deep into the story of Cheri Garcia, a nationally recognized recovery advocate, entrepreneur, and the founder of Cornbread Hustle. Cheri &nbsp;joins Heather Creekmore to share her extraordinary journey through addiction, bulimia, and the relentless pursuit of approval and achievement.
<hr>
What You&rsquo;ll Hear:
<ul>
<li>
Cheri&rsquo;s Hidden Struggles: From a &ldquo;typical&rdquo; all-American upbringing to battling addiction, reveals how her father&rsquo;s meth use triggered a desperate search for approval, leading her down her own path of substance abuse. She opens up about her history with meth, alcohol, and bulimia, as well as the shame that hid behind her achievements.
</li>
<li>
Entrepreneurial Escape: Despite her addictions, Cheri became a successful entrepreneur, starting businesses&mdash;even while still in high school. Listen as she describes how workaholism became a new kind of drug, and why success could never satisfy her underlying wounds.
</li>
<li>
Rock Bottom &amp; Surrender: Cheri&rsquo;s story takes a pivotal turn after a DWI arrest, propelling her toward sobriety. She shares the moment on Christmas Day when she chose to give herself the &ldquo;gift of sobriety&rdquo; and the spiritual awakening that followed, including a haunting worship song, a powerful Bible verse, and a deep confrontation with God.
</li>
<li>
Breaking the Shame Cycle: The conversation explores the difference between guilt and shame, the importance of vulnerability vs. mere transparency, and why secrets keep us sick.
Cheri explains how confessing your struggles&mdash;no matter how dark&mdash;can set you free.
</li>
<li>
Mental Health and Medication: In a refreshingly honest discussion, Cheri talks about her journey with mental health and the complexities of accepting help, including medication, after years of trying to "pray harder" through her pain.
</li>
<li>
Community &amp; True Friendship: Hear how authentic community, especially among women in recovery, helped Cheri finally accept herself without needing to "offer" anything.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Key Takeaways:
<ul>
<li>
Recovery is often a journey of switching unhealthy fixes for healthier, but sometimes still unsatisfying, ones.
</li>
<li>
Healing from shame requires bringing secrets into the light and embracing community.
</li>
<li>
Vulnerability&mdash;not just transparency&mdash;is where true transformation happens.
</li>
<li>
Sometimes faith and mental health treatment go hand-in-hand, and there&rsquo;s no shame in seeking help.
</li>
<li>
You are worthy of love, friendship, and community, apart from your achievements.
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Resources &amp; Links:
<ul>
<li>
Connect with Cheri on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/luminous_cheri/">@luminous_cheri</a>
</li>
<li>
Find out about We Share: <a href="https://weshare.org/heather">weshare.org/heather</a>
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
A Note from Heather:
If you find yourself struggling with addiction, body image, or feeling like you have to achieve to be worthy, let this episode remind you: You&rsquo;re not alone. There is hope, healing, and community waiting for you.
<hr>
Listen &amp; subscribe for more honest stories that help you stop comparing and start living!

The go-to podcast for Christian women who want to grow stronger in their faith and stop living stuck in comparison!

Are you a Christian woman who’s tired of measuring yourself by the world’s standards? Have you tried to “fix yourself” with willpower, self-help, or even Christian clichés—but still feel like you’re falling short?Do you know the truth of God’s Word, yet struggle to believe it in your daily life?

Bonus: Have you ever wished you could just pray your struggles away in an instant? (Your secret’s safe here.)

If you answered yes, then Compared to Who? is the show for you!

Each week, we tackle the real issues Christian women face—comparison, body image issues, performance pressure, insecurity, identity, spiritual maturity, and more—through a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered lens. You’ll find encouragement to trust God’s Spirit, rest in His promises, and grow deeper in your walk with Christ.

I’m Heather Creekmore—best-selling author, speaker, and follower of Jesus. After decades of chasing approval and perfection, I discovered that true freedom only comes through surrendering to Him. Now I help women like you exchange striving for peace, insecurity for identity, and comparison for confidence in Christ.

Every episode is packed with relatable stories, biblical truth, and honest encouragement to help you stop living stuck—and start living free in Jesus.

Find out more about me and the ministry of Compared to Who? at: https://www.improvebodyimage.com

Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024

The go-to podcast for Christian women who want to grow stronger in their faith and stop living stuck in comparison!
Are you a Christian woman who&rsquo;s tired of measuring yourself by the world&rsquo;s standards? Have you tried to &ldquo;fix yourself&rdquo; with willpower, self-help, or even Christian clich&eacute;s&mdash;but still feel like you&rsquo;re falling short?Do you know the truth of God&rsquo;s Word, yet struggle to believe it in your daily life?
Bonus: Have you ever wished you could just pray your struggles away in an instant? (Your secret&rsquo;s safe here.)
If you answered yes, then&nbsp;Compared to Who?&nbsp;is the show for you!
Each week, we tackle the real issues Christian women face&mdash;comparison, body image issues, performance pressure, insecurity, identity, spiritual maturity, and more&mdash;through a practical, grace-filled, gospel-centered lens. You&rsquo;ll find encouragement to trust God&rsquo;s Spirit, rest in His promises, and grow deeper in your walk with Christ.
I&rsquo;m Heather Creekmore&mdash;best-selling author, speaker, and follower of Jesus. After decades of chasing approval and perfection, I discovered that true freedom only comes through surrendering to Him. Now I help women like you exchange striving for peace, insecurity for identity, and comparison for confidence in Christ.
Every episode is packed with relatable stories, biblical truth, and honest encouragement to help you stop living stuck&mdash;and start living free in Jesus.
Find out more about me and the ministry of&nbsp;Compared to Who?&nbsp;at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.improvebodyimage.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.improvebodyimage.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758629449501000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0CbbfkEG9w0k4Z9QBqp5C5">https://www.improvebodyimage.com</a>
Want to join our podcast community on Facebook? Visit us here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1758629449501000&amp;usg=AOvVaw08LV1DuGuu8Nv6oa8m3RKp">https://www.facebook.com/groups/764271297116024</a>

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