Meet Karletha Cook of Push Through Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karletha Cook.

Hi Karletha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is a story of going from pain to purpose. I grew up in the South Oak Cliff area and graduated from Kimball High School. I created a name for myself as a track and field athlete early on and went on to compete at the collegiate level. I finished college with a BA in Business and moved back to Dallas a few years later.

In 2012 I lost my sister, Deanna Cook, to domestic violence. Her story was very tragic for my family because my mother, my sister’s daughters, and I, discovered her body two days after she was murdered.

my divorce was finalized 2 months prior to this date and 6 months after this day I was let go from my job in corporate America. To add to the traumatic flow of experience, my father passed away 10 months later to an arrhythmia of the heart.

I’ve always been strong so one of my mottos during this time was ‘Push Through’.

I became certified in life, relationship, and spiritual coaching by the World Coaching Institute in 2014 and created Push Through Coaching to support others through their journey of healing.

I discovered yoga as a positive outlet for my own healing journey and created Kharli Yoga after becoming a certified RYT-200 yoga instructor at Core Power Yoga in 2016.

Yoga was initially my way of dealing with the mental pain that came from the trauma of finding my sister murdered, but it benefited my body in ways I could not have imagined. I offer a free beginner’s yoga workout at kharliyoga.com.

As far as the nutritional side of things, I opened Push Through Wellness Studio in 2019, right in the heart of South Oak Cliff.

I chose this area because 1. it is where I grew up, and 2. there are not many places that offer healthy options in our area. My goal was to bring not only great nutrition to the area but also a place that was positive and loving.

About 6 months after opening, my business partner Tammy Jessie joined the team and we have been providing healthy nutrition and positive vibes for 3 years now. Tammy has been a loyal asset and has continued to contribute to the growth of the wellness studio. Im not sure where the studio would be without her support. Our goal is to make everyone that walk through our doors feel loved. We provide protein smoothies and a load of other nutritional options. We also offer free community fit camps and a women’s empowerment challenge called Queenfit Oakcliff. We are currently

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has not been smooth at all, and yes there has been struggles but mostly personal. I lost my sister, my father, my marriage, and my career in a very short period of time. Finding my sister’s body, the way we did affected me the most. I struggled with depression and alcoholism. Since I didn’t know how to properly go through the journey of healing, I used alcohol to escape in those moments where I didn’t enjoy my reality. If I’m totally honest there where many times where I wanted to give up and times that my thoughts where so bad that I just wanted them to stop. Once I was honest with myself about my drinking and the real reason behind why I wanted to be drunk, I was able to actually start healing in a healthy direction.

Covid affected the businesses but opened up an opportunity to expand the business to different levels. When yoga was no longer an in-person activity, it opened up the opportunity for virtual sessions. Once covid happened, the wellness studio started offering preorders through our app. Customers can order and pay ahead for pickup.

We’ve been impressed with Push Through Coaching, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The only way out of any negative experience is ‘through’ it. We specialize in transforming thoughts and challenging limiting beliefs. What sets me apart from other coaches is that I’ve experienced the trauma, discomfort, self-doubt, depression, and feelings of inadequacy that comes with the exposure to mental pain.

Kharli Yoga and Push Through Wellness Studio both fall under the umbrella of Push Through Coaching.

All three businesses supports the community in having total mind and body wellness.

I am proud to be able to offer wellness services both mentally and physically under and to incorporate it within the community that I live.

I would like for everyone to know that this brand was built from trials and tears. Its purpose is to not only to show that it is possible to take pain and give it purpose but to also give an example to what it looks like to be on the other side of that pain. It is possible to get to the other side.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years I see my businesses increasing tremendously with an increase in clientele. I am planning workshops and virtual series, such as The Healing Hearts Series, which will create a tribe of individuals who are transforming and healing in a healthy way. I have a few other things in the works that I choose not to speak on at this moment, but my ultimate goal is positive impact and legacy.

Image Credits
Corrin Photography