Cheryl Hunter

Cheryl Hunter
File:Cheryl_Hunter_Headshot_Photo_2024.jpg File:Cheryl_Hunter_Headshot_Photo_2024.jpg
Born	Rye, Colorado, U.S.
💼 Occupation	Author, television producer, host, podcaster, resilience expert, human trafficking advocate
📆 Years active	2004–present
Known for	Surviving kidnapping and assault; advocacy for resilience and human trafficking awareness
Notable work	Trafficked (podcast), Rise (docuseries), TEDx talks, Use It: Turn Setbacks Into Success, How to Get Unstuck, Greenhorn

Cheryl Hunter is an American author, television writer, producer, and host, podcaster, resilience expert, and advocate against human trafficking. She is best known for describing her experience surviving a kidnapping, torture, and sexual assault as a teenager and for her subsequent work as a public speaker, television commentator, and host, and creator of resilience-centered media and training programs. Her story and work have been covered by national media outlets including People, Forbes, PBS, and national news networks, and she hosts the podcasts Trafficked, Rise, and the media-strategy podcast Magnify Your Message.

Early life and education

Hunter was raised on a horse ranch near the small mountain town of Rye, Colorado. As a teenager, while traveling internationally, she was kidnapped by two men who promised to make her a model. Instead, Hunter was held captive, tortured, sexually assaulted, and later released. Hunter has described this event as the catalyst for her later work on resilience and empowerment.

Career

Modeling and entertainment

Following her release from captivity, Hunter pursued an international career as a fashion model, working in London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Madrid, Hamburg, and New York City, appearing in major advertising campaigns, including a role as the "Coca-Cola girl" in worldwide promotions. She later worked in Hollywood as a writer and producer, creating original material under contract for networks such as CBS, HBO, NBC, and Paramount Pictures.

Writing and public speaking

Hunter has written two books on resilience and personal development, and one novel, all of which have been described as bestsellers. Her talks, including multiple TEDx presentations and a widely viewed Goalcast video, focus on overcoming adversity and have reached millions of viewers online. She has been featured on national television programs including Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, CNN, Fox News, NBC News, and PBS, where she has discussed trauma, resilience, and recovery. Forbes has profiled her work and named her one of its top four "favorite TED speakers."

Advocacy and educational framework

Drawing on her personal experiences, Hunter developed an educational model intended to help individuals recover from adversity and build resilience. She has led coaching programs and workshops to individuals and corporate clients through her organization, The Hunter Group, and has volunteered extensively with survivors of the Holocaust, war veterans, trafficking survivors, and victims of sexual violence.

Media projects

Hunter hosted and produced the docuseries Rise, which premiered on CNN’s Headline News Network and explored stories of resilience. She also launched a podcast titled Trafficked, which provides a platform for survivors of human trafficking to share their stories. Recently, Hunter signed a development deal with Conveyor Media for a television project centered on sex trafficking survivors and advocates.

Publications

• Greenhorn. Hunter, Cheryl. Cresting Wave Publishing, 2023.
• Use It: Turn Setbacks Into Success. Hunter, Cheryl. Venator, 2012.
• How to Get Unstuck: 7 Steps to Bounce Forward When Life Knocks You Down. Hunter, Cheryl. Venator, 2016.

Recognition

• Named by Forbes as one of its top four "favorite TED speakers"
• Profiled in People Magazine, PBS, CNN Headline News, and other major outlets for her advocacy and educational work.

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