Big Stuff With Danielle Colley

Danielle Colley

You know who's going through BIG STUFF? Literally everyone. But it's how you handle it that makes the difference.  Award-winning author and life coach Danielle Colley gets real about the relentless expectations we put on ourselves, the comparison trap, and the gap between how life looks and how it actually feels. For ambitious women who may be crushing their goals but are feeling crushed by them. Conversations that matter. A little advice, a little inspiration, and a lot of humanness. No toxic positivity - just raw honesty about what it really takes to thrive. If you're burnt out from achieving everything or tired of pretending it's all fine, this is for you. Because life should feel GOOD to live. New episodes weekly Follow @daniellecolley

  1. When Success Feels Empty: Cooper Chapman on Losing It All & Finding the 1% That Matters

    3 DAYS AGO

    When Success Feels Empty: Cooper Chapman on Losing It All & Finding the 1% That Matters

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text What happens when the thing you've built your entire life around suddenly disappears? Cooper Chapman was a top 100 professional surfer living what looked like the dream, traveling the world, sponsored by major brands, representing his country since age 14. But beneath the surface, his self-worth was being affected on a deeper level. Every competition result, every sponsorship deal, every sticker on his surfboard determined whether he felt worthy or worthless. Then at 22, at the peak of his career, his major sponsor dropped him without warning. He went from making $50K a year doing what he loved to working 50-hour weeks digging holes on construction sites just to afford his next competition. After a powerful moment with his sister, he began to pave a new path.  Today, Cooper's Good Human Factory has transformed over 10,000 lives across Australia. His revolutionary 1% Good Club, based on just 14 minutes of daily meditation and gratitude has generated over 1 million moments of gratitude.  In this episode, we talk about finding identity beyond achievement, why losing everything can lead to purpose, and how giving just 1% of your day to meditation and gratitude can rewire your brain for positivity. Cooper shares his five core values of responsibility, gratitude, empathy, mindfulness, and kindness and opens up about imposter syndrome, resilience, and building peace of mind from the inside out.  Connect with Cooper: Instagram: @cooperchapman @thegoodhumanfactory Website: thegoodhumanfactory.com Book: The 1% Good Club (available now) Join the 1% Good Club: DM "I want to join the club" to @thegoodhumanfactory 00:00 Introduction: The Dream and the Storm 01:33 Meet Cooper Chapman: From Surfer to Author 04:12 The Journey of Self-Development 05:29 The Turning Point: Losing Sponsorship 08:57 Finding Purpose: The Good Human Factory 19:46 The Birth of The Good Human Factory 26:33 The 1% Good Club: A Daily Practice 29:26 The Value of Meditation 31:35 The Power of Gratitude 32:04 Creating the 1% Good Club 36:26 Impactful Stories and Feedback 40:23 Balancing Growth and Self-Care 44:42 Writing the Book 49:05 Final Thoughts and Advice

    57 min
  2. The Self-Worth Trap: Why You’ll Never Feel Enough (Until You Do)

    22 OCT

    The Self-Worth Trap: Why You’ll Never Feel Enough (Until You Do)

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text A listener’s raw confession stopped me in my tracks: “I know I’m not worthy because I fuck up.” She’s paying off $100K in debt, thriving at work, and being an amazing mom yet she wouldn’t let her daughters speak to themselves the way she speaks to herself. In this episode, we unpack the cruelest lie we tell ourselves: that self-worth needs to be earned, can be lost, or is up for debate. You’ll learn why those “not good enough” beliefs aren’t really yours, how childhood experiences shape your worth story, and the difference between making mistakes and being a mistake. We explore tools like the ANTs to PETs practice to rewire negative thought patterns, and ways to reparent yourself with the compassion you deserve. Spoiler alert: your worthiness isn’t a report card, it’s your birthright, simply because you exist. 00:00 Introduction and Listener's Story 01:03 The Cruelest Lie About Self-Worth 01:39 Understanding Self-Worth Issues 02:26 Childhood Imprints and Beliefs 06:34 The Rigged System of Self-Worth 06:38 Personal Anecdotes and Reflections 08:14 Reevaluating and Reparenting Yourself 15:30 Creating New Thought Patterns 19:31 Final Thoughts on Worthiness Connect with Danielle:  See her website - https://daniellecolley.com.au/ But the Chocolate Bar Life book - https://www.thechocolatebarlife.com.au/buy-book Find her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdaniellecolley/  Connect on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/IAmDanielleColley/?_rdc=1&_rdr# Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamdaniellecolley  Check out her substack - https://substack.com/@iamdaniellecolley?utm_source=user-menu

    21 min
  3. Choosing Her Exit: Dying With Dignity, Mama-Bear Style

    8 OCT

    Choosing Her Exit: Dying With Dignity, Mama-Bear Style

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text Danielle’s beloved mother, Carolyn Colley, has lived with multiple sclerosis for 35 years. Now facing imminent respiratory and renal failure, she's been granted voluntary assisted death in New South Wales and she's happier than she's been in years.  Not because she’s given up, but because after decades of being in surrender to her body making the decisions, she finally gets to make a choice for herself.  In this deeply personal conversation, Danielle sits down with her mother to explore why death isn't the enemy we think it is, how choosing your exit can bring comfort and relief, and what it means to live fully even in your final months. This isn't a conversation about dying, it's about living with courage, choosing on your own terms, and the radical act of kindness. It is a conversation about dignity, but not the kind you're thinking of. About the loss of it, catheter malfunctions, needing help to pull your pants up, the deeply unsexy reality of a body that's shutting down. And then we discuss finding it again, on your own terms. If you've ever wondered what it actually means to die well, to live fully even when you're dying, or how to let go of someone you love who's asking you to be happy for them, this one's for you. Content Warning: There are discussions about death, voluntary assisted dying, degenerative illness, loss of bodily autonomy, and grief. Also: surprising amounts of bathroom humor and karaoke references. 00:00 Introduction: Living with Multiple Sclerosis 00:25 Mom's New Lease on Life 00:58 Podcast Begins: Welcoming Carolyn 02:03 The Decision for Voluntary Assisted Death 02:40 Excitement About the Unknown 04:08 Challenges of a Degenerative Disease 05:45 Legal and Emotional Aspects of VAD 07:18 Living with Humor and Support 14:00 Spiritual Exploration and Acceptance 27:52 Spiritual Mentorship and Reunions 31:54 Reflections on Life and Death 33:15 Living Fully Despite Exhaustion 34:22 Legacy and Final Wishes 42:36 Embracing Kindness and Love 53:41 Concluding Thoughts on Life and Death Connect with Danielle:  See her website - https://daniellecolley.com.au/ But the Chocolate Bar Life book - https://www.thechocolatebarlife.com.au/buy-book Find her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdaniellecolley/  Connect on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/IAmDanielleColley/?_rdc=1&_rdr# Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamdaniellecolley  Check out her substack - https://substack.com/@iamdaniellecolley?utm_source=user-menu

    56 min
  4. Parenting After Loss and How Radical Reframes Change Everything

    1 OCT

    Parenting After Loss and How Radical Reframes Change Everything

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text When Andy Whitfield died at 39 from cancer, his widow Vashti faced an impossible question: How do you survive profound loss while raising two young children alone? In this deeply honest conversation about grief, solo parenting, and personal transformation, Vashti Whitfield shares how she turned devastating loss into meaningful legacy work. Vashti Whitfield is a transformational facilitator, executive coach, and filmmaker who co-created the award-winning documentary Be Here Now: The Andy Whitfield Story. In this episode of the Big Stuff podcast, host and life coach Danielle Colley explores the realities of anticipatory grief, navigating parenting after loss, and why protecting loved ones from pain can sometimes do more harm than good. This conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone dealing with grief, life transitions, terminal illness in the family, or the challenge of rebuilding identity after devastating loss. Vashti's approach combines vulnerability with actionable insights about living fully in the present moment—even when life feels impossibly hard. 00:00 Introduction to Vashti Whitfield's Journey 01:56 Meeting Vashti: A Personal Anecdote 08:33 The Story of Andy Whitfield 12:08 The Making of 'Be Here Now' 14:40 Reframing Grief and Finding Purpose 18:23 Navigating Anticipatory Grief 24:04 Living and Dying: A Personal Reflection 26:00 Transforming Grief into Legacy Work 33:01 Turning Creativity into Legacy 34:12 Embracing All of You 34:43 Parenting Challenges and Non-Attachment 36:58 Solo Parenting and Letting Go 41:26 Owning Your Parenting Mistakes 46:16 Rediscovering Yourself 48:26 Intimacy and Connection 56:59 Advice for Big Life Changes 59:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections Connect with Vashti Whitfield: See her Linktree: VASHTI WHITFIELD Check out her substack: The V. Spot Find her on Instagram - vashtiwhitfield Connect on LinkedIn- Vashti Whitfie Connect with Danielle:  See her website - https://daniellecolley.com.au/ But the Chocolate Bar Life book - https://www.thechocolatebarlife.com.au/buy-book Find her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdaniellecolley/  Connect on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/IAmDanielleColley/?_rdc=1&_rdr# Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamdaniellecolley  Check out her substack - https://substack.com/@iamdaniellecolley?utm_source=user-menu

    1h 3m
  5. Growing Apart: When Only One Is Doing The Emotional Labour

    24 SEPT

    Growing Apart: When Only One Is Doing The Emotional Labour

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text Does it ever feel like you’re the only one doing the emotional work in your relationship? This episode dives into the emotional labor imbalance that shows up when one partner is growing, healing, and evolving — while the other stays the same. This is the personal growth gap that can leave you feeling like you’re in a one-sided relationship or slowly growing apart. Life coach Danielle Colley explores “the emotional gap” in relationships — what happens when you’re committed to therapy, self-development, and personal growth, but your partner isn’t. You’ll learn evidence-based strategies to navigate relationship growth imbalances, set boundaries, and protect your energy without losing yourself. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:52 Listener's Emotional Dilemma 01:30 Understanding the Emotional Gap 05:07 Personal Reflections and Experiences 08:12 Navigating Relationship Dynamics 11:56 Hidden Costs of Emotional Disparity 18:13 Making Decisions and Setting Boundaries 22:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Connect with Danielle:  See her website - https://daniellecolley.com.au/ But the Chocolate Bar Life book - https://www.thechocolatebarlife.com.au/buy-book Find her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdaniellecolley/  Connect on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/IAmDanielleColley/?_rdc=1&_rdr# Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamdaniellecolley  Check out her substack - https://substack.com/@iamdaniellecolley?utm_source=user-menu

    25 min
  6. From Drug Dealer (And Danielle’s Worst Boyfriend Ever) To Men’s Mental Health Champion

    17 SEPT

    From Drug Dealer (And Danielle’s Worst Boyfriend Ever) To Men’s Mental Health Champion

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text This powerful episode features Preston O'Brien, a men's mental health advocate and founder of Every Sunday Motorcycle Collective (so you don’t kill yourself between Monday and Saturday) and The Triumphant Man. He’s sharing his journey from childhood sexual abuse survivor to drug dealer to advocate for doing the big work that allows deep healing. But he’s also sharing more than that, twenty years ago, Preston lived a dangerous double life that ended in a suicide attempt. At that time, your host, Danielle, was his live-in girlfriend and she was caught up in his web of deceit. This conversation is also a deep dive into abusive relationships and the impact they have for years after. Today, Preston helps hundreds of men heal from trauma and addiction through evidence-based mental health support. Content Warning: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse, drug addiction, suicide attempts, and emotionally abusive relationships. Connect with Preston:  Preston O'Brien  The Triumphant Man  Every Sunday Motorcycle Collective   Gentleman's Ride 00:00 Trigger Warnings and Introduction 00:35 Meet Preston O'Brien: A Troubled Past 01:05 The Double Life Revealed 01:49 The Turning Point: Suicide Attempt 02:21 Reconnecting After 10 Years 02:58 Starting the Podcast Conversation 03:58 Reflecting on Sydney and Early Trauma 08:13 Love Bombing and Relationship Dynamics 13:31 Gaslighting and Emotional Abuse 15:50 The Path to Self-Destruction 32:03 Returning to New Zealand 35:01 The Road to Recovery 38:21 The Catalyst for Change 39:14 Struggles with Addiction and Infidelity 40:04 Suzanne's Support and Accountability 45:16 Therapy and Self-Forgiveness 50:41 Creating Safe Spaces for Men 52:40 The Motorcycle Collective 54:48 The Triumphant Man Initiative 56:03 Healing Through Vulnerability 01:06:40 Reconnecting and Forgiveness 01:12:26 Final Thoughts and Reflections Connect with Danielle:  See her website - https://daniellecolley.com.au/ But the Chocolate Bar Life book - https://www.thechocolatebarlife.com.au/buy-book Find her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdaniellecolley/  Connect on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/IAmDanielleColley/?_rdc=1&_rdr# Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamdaniellecolley  Check out her substack - https://substack.com/@iamdaniellecolley?utm_source=user-menu

    1h 15m
  7. The Brutal and Beautiful Truth of Losing a Parent; Coping After The Death Of A Parent

    10 SEPT

    The Brutal and Beautiful Truth of Losing a Parent; Coping After The Death Of A Parent

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text Casey Beros had interviewed hundreds of medical experts and built her career teaching people how to navigate healthcare. But when her father was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma (asbestos cancer), all her professional expertise meant nothing when she was sobbing in a hospital corridor at 2 AM. In this raw and powerful conversation, Casey shares her journey of caring for her father through his final two and a half years, the return of his addiction struggles, and how watching someone you love die changes you in ways you never expected. She discusses the brutal reality of terminal illness, the complexity of grief, and why she wrote "Next of Kin" - a practical guide born from one of the worst experiences of her life. Resources Mentioned "Next of Kin" by Casey Beros -Comprehensive handbook for healthcare navigation and caregiving (available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook)"The Bad Girls Guide to Better" by Casey Beros - Casey's stealth help guide to getting your act together Connect with Casey Website: https://www.caseyberos.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseyberos/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 01:10 Casey's Personal Journey Begins 04:20 Navigating the Healthcare System 19:15 The Emotional Toll of Caregiving 31:02 Dealing with Addiction and Illness 37:17 The Dilemma of Addiction in Palliative Care 38:14 The Emotional Toll of Watching a Loved One Suffer 39:35 The Role of a Death Doula 42:02 The Brutality and Beauty of the Final Days 52:58 Navigating Grief and Loss 54:38 Turning Heartbreak into Purpose 56:04 The Importance of Preserving Memories 01:01:28 The Unquenchable Thirst of Grief 01:07:21 Final Thoughts and Reflections Connect with Danielle:  See her website - https://daniellecolley.com.au/ But the Chocolate Bar Life book - https://www.thechocolatebarlife.com.au/buy-book Find her on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/iamdaniellecolley/  Connect on Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/IAmDanielleColley/?_rdc=1&_rdr# Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamdaniellecolley  Check out her substack - https://substack.com/@iamdaniellecolley?utm_source=user-menu

    1h 10m
  8. ADHD and Perimenopause; What Happened With My Midlife ADHD Diagnosis

    3 SEPT

    ADHD and Perimenopause; What Happened With My Midlife ADHD Diagnosis

    Enjoyed this and want to let us know? Drop us a text Three years ago I thought I was losing my mind—snappy with my family, flat in my business, and waking up with zero desire to face the day. What I didn’t know then was that perimenopause had turned up the volume on something I’d been living with all along: ADHD. In this episode of Big Stuff, I share the real story of how I finally got diagnosed at 47, why so many women slip through the cracks, and how hormones can unmask ADHD in midlife. I’ll talk about the grief and relief of diagnosis, what treatment and support look like for me (from HRT to Post-it notes), and why ADHD is not a flaw—it’s a different operating system. You’ll learn: ·       How ADHD can present differently in women (and why it’s often missed) ·       The link between estrogen, dopamine, and ADHD symptoms in perimenopause ·       What the assessment and diagnosis process actually looked like for me ·       The difference medication and HRT made (and what didn’t change) ·       Simple, everyday supports that help a high-octane brain thrive If you’ve ever wondered “Is this ADHD? Is it peri? Is it both?”—this episode is for you. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Story 01:04 The ADHD Diagnosis Journey 01:50 Perimenopause and ADHD 03:43 Struggles and Realizations 06:36 Seeking Professional Help 10:09 Living with ADHD 24:11 Hormones and ADHD 27:30 Conclusion and Encouragement   Connect with Danielle –  See her website Listen to her book Buy the actual book Find her on Instagram Follow her on LinkedIn Check out her Substack

    29 min
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

You know who's going through BIG STUFF? Literally everyone. But it's how you handle it that makes the difference.  Award-winning author and life coach Danielle Colley gets real about the relentless expectations we put on ourselves, the comparison trap, and the gap between how life looks and how it actually feels. For ambitious women who may be crushing their goals but are feeling crushed by them. Conversations that matter. A little advice, a little inspiration, and a lot of humanness. No toxic positivity - just raw honesty about what it really takes to thrive. If you're burnt out from achieving everything or tired of pretending it's all fine, this is for you. Because life should feel GOOD to live. New episodes weekly Follow @daniellecolley

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