About Diesel Strong

Diesel Strong began with a passion for helping others, a deep love of lifting — and one unforgettable husky.

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Diesel Strong was founded by personal trainer Cherise Petterson, someone who’s been surrounded by fitness her entire life.

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Growing up, the gym was practically home. Her dad was a regular in the weight room, and she’d often tag along — sitting in the corner with a book while he trained. Her first job was at a gym front desk, and her high school dream was to become an athletic trainer.

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That path shifted, and she earned her business degree, unknowingly planting the seed for what would eventually become her own brand.

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After college, Cherise moved to Arizona and found a local gym that reignited her passion for lifting. She began lifting seriously and went through a massive personal transformation — losing over 50 pounds and discovering what it truly meant to be strong, inside and out.

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She started training for powerlifting, and later stepped on stage for multiple bodybuilding competitions, deepening her commitment to the process of building both muscle and mindset.

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During this time, she also worked at a physical therapy clinic — and for a while, considered going back to school to become a physical therapist. But it was in that clinic, working with people in pain, watching their slow but steady recoveries, that she realized something bigger:

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Her true passion wasn’t just helping people recover. It was helping them transform.

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That experience gave her a deep understanding of injury, movement mechanics, and how to meet people where they’re at — lessons that now make her a more educated, adaptable, and effective personal trainer.

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In 2024, Cherise made the leap. She quit her corporate job, launched her own personal training business, and built a loyal client base — helping people unlock their strength and feel at home in their own bodies.

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Diesel Strong is the next evolution.
A private strength training gym built from experience, resilience, and an unshakable desire to help others unleash their power — one dumbbell at a time.