Turning Pain Into Purpose: Cheryl Wee on Building Wellness That Lasts
For Cheryl Wee, Company of Wellness began with a deeply personal experience. It began with her own difficult relationship with health, food and body image.
From a young age, Cheryl dreamed of becoming a singer and actress. When she was given the opportunity to pursue that ambition in her twenties, the pressure to look a certain way gradually took a toll on her physical and mental well-being.
She struggled with an eating disorder, body dysmorphia and an unhealthy obsession with food and weight. At her lowest point, she lost her period for nearly four years.
When she returned home in 2016, her parents reminded her that nothing was worth sacrificing her health for. It became a turning point in her life. Rather than allowing the experience to define her, Cheryl decided to turn her pain into purpose.
From Personal Experience to a Greater Mission
Cheryl began working closely with women through Cheryl W, her wellness and weight-management centre.
Through those conversations, she realised that women were rarely concerned with weight alone. They were also navigating issues around confidence, lifestyle, health and their relationship with their bodies.
Together with co-founders Rachel and Roy, Cheryl later created Company of Wellness with a broader mission: to help people become better versions of themselves through methods that are safe, sustainable and realistic.
For Cheryl, wellness should never be defined by a clothing size or an image seen online. It should help each person feel healthier, stronger and more confident in their own body.
This is also why Company of Wellness was designed to be more than a supplement brand. Cheryl envisions an ecosystem that combines functional products with nutrition guidance, exercise support, personalised insights and ongoing education.
There is no single solution for everyone because every body, routine and lifestyle is different.
Wellness Must Fit Your Life
One of Cheryl’s strongest beliefs is that a wellness routine must suit both your body and your everyday life.
She learnt this firsthand while trying to follow a raw vegan diet. Although she wanted to make it work, it often left her feeling isolated during meals with family and friends. Over time, eating became stressful rather than nourishing.
“It’s not about willpower,” she explained. “It’s about whether it even suits and fits your lifestyle.”
The best wellness plan is not necessarily the strictest or most fashionable one. It is the one you can practise consistently without feeling deprived, disconnected or overwhelmed.
Wellness trends can still be explored, but they should not automatically become permanent habits. Before adopting a new routine, Cheryl recommends asking one simple question:
"Can I realistically see myself doing this five years from now?"
If the answer is no, it may not be a sustainable fit.
Small Habits Create Meaningful Change
Cheryl’s own daily wellness routine reflects this practical philosophy.
She begins her morning with warm water, tries to include around 30 minutes of movement and chooses familiar meals with more vegetables, fewer processed ingredients and less oil.
None of these habits is especially dramatic. But, that is exactly the point.
Wellness does not always begin with a complete lifestyle transformation. It may start with drinking more water, moving regularly, having a proper meal or choosing one habit that supports you each day.
These small, repeatable choices reflect one of Company of Wellness’ core beliefs: micro habits can create major impact.
Consistency matters more than intensity. A simple routine that becomes part of daily life may be more valuable than an extreme plan that lasts only a few weeks.
Moderation Over Perfection
Although Cheryl prioritises healthier choices, she also leaves room for enjoyment.
She loves cakes, croissants and desserts, but approaches them through moderation rather than restriction. She may enjoy a pastry once a week, share a slice of cake or choose a traditional sweet soup as an occasional treat.
For her, one indulgence does not undo the healthier habits practised throughout the rest of the week.
This balanced approach is especially meaningful given her past relationship with food. Wellness is no longer about controlling every meal or following a routine perfectly. It is about making choices that support her health while still allowing her to enjoy life.
There is no need to label every food as good or bad. What matters is the overall pattern and whether it can be maintained without guilt or fear.
Making Space for Yourself
As a daughter, wife, mother, sister, friend and business owner, Cheryl understands how easily women can place themselves last.
Women often spend so much time caring for the people around them that looking after themselves begins to feel selfish.
Cheryl has experienced this guilt too, particularly when setting aside time to exercise or attend a personal appointment. Over time, she realised that caring for herself allows her to be more present for the people she loves.
Self-care does not need to mean taking an entire day away. It may simply be 30 minutes of exercise, listening to a podcast or learning something new purely for enjoyment.
“When we feel good and we are mentally and emotionally healthy, that is where we can show up best for the people we love,” she shared.
Making time for yourself is not about caring less for others. It is about recognising that your own health and well-being deserve attention too.
Products Shaped by Personal Experience
Among the Company of Wellness range, Long Black and KCal Cut hold particular significance for Cheryl.
Long Black was adapted from a family recipe with a history of more than 30 years. It was later developed with input from a traditional Chinese medicine physician to create a product that could fit conveniently into a modern wellness routine.
KCal Cut carries a more emotional connection. Because of her past experience with disordered eating, Cheryl was initially hesitant to create a product within the weight-management category. She wanted to avoid unsustainable approaches and products that depended heavily on laxatives.
The team spent significant time discussing, reformulating and testing the product to ensure it aligned with the company’s values.
Seeing KCal Cut become one of the brand’s bestsellers has therefore been especially meaningful. It represents the type of product Cheryl wants Company of Wellness to create: thoughtfully developed, suitable for real life and grounded in a more responsible approach to wellness.
