--- title: Health & Fitness Blog - NASM | Cherilyn McLester, PhD description: Cherilyn McLester is Professor of Exercise Science at Kennesaw State University with over two decades of experience in the fitness industry. She earned a BS in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and her MS and PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Tennessee. Her current teaching and research interests include the physiological and psychological aspects of exercise participation. ---   [![NASM](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/Nasm_December2018/images/logo186x62.png)](https://blog.nasm.org) - [NASM.org](https://www.nasm.org) - [Fitness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/fitness) - [CPT](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/cpt) - [Nutrition](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/nutrition) - [CES](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/ces) - [Sports Performance](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/sports-performance) - [Workout Plans](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/workout-plans) - [Wellness](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/wellness) # Cherilyn McLester, PhD ![Cherilyn McLester, PhD](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/C_McLester%20head%20shot%20.jpg) Cherilyn McLester is Professor of Exercise Science at Kennesaw State University with over two decades of experience in the fitness industry. She earned a BS in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and her MS and PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Tennessee. Her current teaching and research interests include the physiological and psychological aspects of exercise participation. ### Recent Posts [![person setting smart fitness goals for herself with a notepad](https://blog.nasm.org/hs-fs/hubfs/smart-fitness-goals.jpg?width=723&name=smart-fitness-goals.jpg)](http://blog.nasm.org/setting-smart-fitness-goals) [CPT](http://blog.nasm.org/tag/cpt) ## [Setting S.M.A.R.T. Fitness Goals to Overcome Mental Hurdles](http://blog.nasm.org/setting-smart-fitness-goals) ![Cherilyn McLester, PhD](https://blog.nasm.org/hubfs/C_McLester%20head%20shot%20.jpg) [Cherilyn McLester, PhD](http://blog.nasm.org/author/cherilyn-mclester-phd) | September 16, 2020 Exercise is often associated with physical exertion and adaptations such as weight loss, improved athletic performance, and increased strength. However, one thing that these variables all have in common is that they are not mindless. 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