248: Danny J: Saved By The Daughter She Placed For Adoption (Part 2)

Please Note: This is Part 2 of Danny-J’s story.  If you didn’t listen to Episode 246 last week, go back and listen to that first!

Danny-J is an award-winning entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and storyteller. As the former founder of The Sweaty Betties, an online fitness community, Danny-J discovered the most effective method for capturing attention and increasing revenue—sharing personal and brand stories. Danny-J's work can be heard in her weekly podcast, The Best Life Podcast and can be followed in real time on all the social media platforms.

As a real-life example of "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" she uses her real "Jerry Springer Life" stories to engage with her audience, teaches life lessons and inspires others to rewrite their stories. Danny-J now teaches innovative brands and influencers to close more sales, become better leaders and blow up their brands with the irresistible power of sharing. She also helps tens of thousands of families become debt-free by sharing her real life getting out of debt story and challenge #FindTheMoneyProject.

I have been following Danny on social media for a while now.  When I learned she gave up a baby for adoption as a teen mom, I asked her to come on the show to be interviewed as a Shameless Mom.  Danny’s story is filled with trauma and heartache, but it ends in triumph and so much love and joy that she could never have anticipated as a young desperate and clinically depressed young woman. 

In this interview, we dive deep into Danny’s childhood, which was deeply impacted by her family’s religion, sexual abuse at the hands of her cousin, learning her biological father was a sperm donor, a serious eating disorder, depression with ongoing suicidal ideation, and a pregnancy at age 15 that ultimately saved her life. 

Listen in to hear Danny share:

  • How having a baby at 16 saved her from her eating disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts
  • How giving up her baby actually gave her life purpose again
  • How her grown daughter coached her on meeting her sperm donor bio dad last year
  • How opening all the doors in her biological family relationships has improved all her relationships with her parents
  • Why she is a Shameless Mom even though she didn’t raise her daughter

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Welcome to Shameless Leadership! This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, and allies who are committed to advancing their leadership and the leadership of those around them. In this space, we believe everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Our mission is to help you foster these feelings within your own circles of influence to build trust, psychological safety, and a culture of belonging. In each episode, we dive into essential topics impacting women in leadership - everything from shutting down your inner critic and imposter syndrome to overcoming perfectionism to using your voice in new ways to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and other folks carrying marginalized identities. You'll hear practical tips, effective strategies, and inspiring stories that will not only enhance your leadership skills but also broaden your perspective to become a more confident, thoughtful, and empathetic leader. Our stories come from people carrying identities who are often underrepresented, underestimated, and excluded. By sharing their experiences, we aim to provide you with invaluable lessons that will transform your leadership journey. We are thrilled to have you join this community of Shameless Leaders who are actively creating a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can intentionally lead through a more curious, compassionate, and inclusive lens.