About Author

CHERYL HARDESTY is a retired creator and lifelong learner with a rich background in the sciences. She holds a B.S. from Utah State University and an M.S. in Nutrition from Brigham Young University, along with advanced post-graduate work in pharmacology at the University of Utah. Her career and education reflect her deep curiosity about how the human body works—and how the human spirit endures.

Her life took an unexpected turn when a tragic accident left her an above-knee amputee. Through osseointegration and years of rehabilitation, she rebuilt her life with determination and optimism. This journey ultimately became the subject of one of her books, in which she shares both the science and the lived experience of limb loss and recovery.

Writing came into her life almost by chance. After taking a publishing course, she discovered a passion she hadn’t known she possessed. Her first book, a practical guide on finances, opened the door to a world where ideas flowed freely and writing became second nature. Since then, she has continued to explore topics ranging from science and personal growth to compelling stories drawn from her own experiences.

Her life has been filled with extraordinary chapters—working at the Los Angeles Zoo, surviving a near-death diving incident, and supporting a child through multiple battles with bone cancer. She has known profound loss, including the passing of her eldest son, a veteran who struggled after his service in Afghanistan, and later, the sudden loss of her husband. Through all of this, she continues to write with honesty, courage, and a desire to help others through her words.

Today, at 71, she remains dedicated to storytelling and to sharing knowledge that can inspire, comfort, and educate. Her work reflects a life lived fully—marked not just by challenges, but by resilience, curiosity, and unwavering love for her family.