Spotlight of the Month- Danielle

    Happy August! It's absolutely mind-blowing that we're already eight months into 2024. I'm so excited for cooler weather here in Arizona, though we still have a few months to go. It feels close!  This month's Creatively Linked spotlight is dedicated to my beautiful friend Danielle.  Let's take a trip down memory lane – I'll tell you how we met! Almost four years ago, my husband and I were searching for a birth doula when our baby was on the way. The world was in the midst of a pandemic, and life felt unsteady. We interviewed several doulas before finding Danielle. After one call, I knew she was the perfect person to help me during childbirth. She was so warm, genuine, and knowledgeable in her work-- answering all our many questions. She just had a way of putting me at ease during such a crazy time and honestly still to this day.  Danielle is such an incredible doula, there is no way I would have been able to go through my labor without her.  As I’ve gotten to know her over the years, she’s become an everyday inspiration for me-- she is just a ray of sunshine you didn't even realize you needed! Everyone who meets her instantly falls in love with her, so I am excited to share her story with you!  

• What is your creative talent? "God has blessed with me with being a good listener and the ability to make others feel seen. This had enabled me to serve the best way possible as a birth doula! I can also do a pretty good worm."
  
  
• What are some hobbies that makes your heart smile? "Surfing, bodybuilding, being a mama to and homeschooling my two girls and a wife to my combat veteran husband. I love adventures and new experiences but also am an absolute home body. Major foodie. Eating is a BIG hobby of mine ha-ha."

•  What are some of your favorite accomplishments? "Creating a stable home for my children. Committing to my marriage and family unit though there were many times we didn’t think we would make it through. Coming from a broken home myself, I wasn’t quite sure how to go about creating a stable environment. BUT God. Here we are thriving. I also competed in my first bodybuilding competition this year which was essentially 12 years in the making. I also took first place in my third bikini competition, that was a huge milestone for me. More than anything though I am proud of my healing and self-growth. Weeding out the ugliest parts of yourself is hard and a never-ending process. In that with the Lord’s help healing the broken parts of me mentally, physically, and emotionally has been one of my biggest accomplishments." 

•  Tell us a little bit about your business? "I work as a birth doula, offering childbirth education, emotional/physical support, and advocacy. I work with families and encourage them, coaching them, and leading them through the birth process! I am in their corner every step of the way. Whether that is something small like reminding them to eat, encouraging them to speak up and ask the right questions, holding a double hip squeeze for hours on end or at times some good ole tough love!"
  
  

• What's the most valuable lesson you've learned throughout your journey that you'd like to share with younger people? "I would encourage them to start today. No matter their age. Create habits that promote discipline because the work is never done. Motivation diminishes, discipline is what accomplishes goals. Take care of your mind and body. Read as much as you can and implement what you read into your life. You don’t know it all and you never will, so pull every ounce of wisdom from those around you. If you are the most knowledgeable and best in the room, you are in the wrong room. Who you spend time with DOES affect and influence you. Period. Stay humble, focused, and don’t be afraid to use your voice. Always speak life and truth."

     Where do I even start? I am incredibly blessed to have met Danielle four years ago. She is truly the epitome of authenticity and resilience. An amazing woman of Christ, disciplined, wise, and hilarious. I've loved watching her journey unfold and witnessing her excel in bodybuilding competitions this year, including a recent first-place win. I couldn’t be prouder!  She shared that part of her creative talent is her ability to make others feel seen and I couldn't agree more with that! Her heart is pure gold!  I also have to share that she is an amazing model! If she looks familiar, you might have seen her sporting my Creatively Linked apparel. I can't wait to have her in some more of our upcoming photoshoots! This woman can literally do anything!  I loved hearing her advice for the younger generation: "Create habits that promote discipline because the work is never done. Motivation diminishes, but discipline conquers goals." That's powerful stuff, right there! Whenever I need a pep talk, Danielle knows how to lift my spirits. Her perspective on life is truly inspiring.  Danielle, you are definitely Creatively Linked!