“Snowflakes are some of nature’s most fragile things but look what they can do when they stick together”.
Danielle has lived by this quote for as long as she can remember and the principle behind it, is what she bases her practice on. Let us welcome Danielle Du Plessis (although everyone calls her Danny) to yet another feature on TarrynChristy.com. She is born and raised in Cape Town and comes from a relatively small but close-knit family, where she is the oldest of two siblings. Danny has known for an exceptionally long time that helping people is her life’s “calling” or passion so-to-speak.
Although it took Danielle a few careers and detours to get where she is today, she is finally living her passion of helping others. Danny believes things happen when they are meant to happen and that things always fall into place at the right time.
Who knew lock down would be that “right time” for Danielle? For many changes can be daunting, but change is also opportunity.
Together with Danielle’s qualifications MA (Psychology) and experience, she is looking forward to making a difference and really helping people be the best they can be.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Danielle Anne Du Plessis (although everyone calls me Danny) and I am born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa.
I love being in nature (walking, hiking), although it has only been a recent newfound love of mine. I enjoy hiking up mountains but have a fear of heights. Every time I am out in nature exploring those beautiful mountains of Cape Town, I have to pluck up the courage to make my way up there. The only way to face your fear is to confront it (and I try and do it every weekend).
I LOVE sitting by the ocean, just do not put me in a boat to sail across it.
I absolutely enjoy studying, well at least until I did my Masters. It was a 5-year journey and I almost gave up a few times. There were more tough days than I care to remember, but with the right support and mindset, human beings are more resilient and capable of doing the most amazing things. Giving up is never an option.
Tell us about your coaching business?
Danielle’s Therapy and Life Coaching is a passion and dream that I have the privilege of living each day. It began as a side project a few years ago (as I was still employed full time) and has been running since .Then lock down happened and it really gave me the opportunity to think about what I want to do with my career and my life. Periods of change often jolt us to make change and that is what I did – I made a change.
I finally made the decision to invest all my time and energy (full time) into my business and into helping others. Through Danielle Therapy and Life Coaching I have the pleasure and absolute honour of helping people live their best life.
For now, I do lost of my sessions online, but I will have an office by the end of the year for those who prefer face-to-face.
What prompted you to start your own business?
If it were not for lock down, I am honestly not sure if I would be living my passion (full time) of helping others today
Lock down has been a period of great uncertainty and no doubt an incredibly stressful period for many, but in the same breadth, I think it has been incredibly eye-opening and a sobering experience for many (no pun intended).
As mentioned earlier, Danielle’s Therapy and Life Coaching has been running part time for a few years, but it was really Lock down that made me realise it is something I want (and should do) full time.
What made you want to work with people and help people? Basically, what made you want to become a coach?
I think deep down, I have always known that I wanted to be a Counselor and Life Coach. From as far back as I can remember, helping people has always been something I was/am passionate about.
Call it a “calling” or “gut feeling”, but I always knew that this was something I was meant to do. It was a nagging feeling I just could not shake nor could I ignore.
I have also seen throughout my life what can happen to people if they do not believe in themselves or when feelings of giving up and “throwing in the towel” so-to-speak take hold. As far as possible (and as much as possible), I want to help people grow and learn and help them become the best version of themselves through my practice.
Although I am a registered counselor, I am also a life coach and coaching people to live a better and more meaningful life,is my goal.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own coaching or mentoring business?
Do it with passion and love or don’t do it at all.
What advice would you give to someone that is wanting to change their mindset? What small things can they do daily to do that?
Start and end your day with affirmations of gratitude. So often we forget that we have so much more than we realise. We are so focused on what we don’t have or how long it’s taking, that we forget about the things we do have and how far we have come.
What message do you want to share with the world?
There is hope, even when your brain is telling you there isn’t.
What is your take on women supporting women?
It’s so great and amazing to see other female entrepreneurs supporting each other and doing such amazing things in the world. We as women are so strong and powerful and the impact many of us have made so far, is testament to that.
What motivates you to share your story?
So often , we are flooded with thoughts of “it can’t be done” or “I’m too young” and sometimes we all just need a little reminder that anything , absolutely anything is possible if you believe in your dreams and goals hard enough.
Hard work, commitment, and a good attitude wins every time.
What advice would you give to someone struggling or going through a hard time?
Nothing is ever as bad as it seems.
If you would love to connect with Danielle, she is available on her social media platforms.
Danielle’s private Facebook – @danielle.a.duplessis
Danielle’s Therapy and Life Coaching Facebook account @Danielle Therapy & Life Coaching
Instagram – @danieanne03
Linkedin – @danielle-anne-du-plessis
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