Danielle Foster

Speaker  |  Encourager |   Inspirer

Danielle’s work has been in the making for the better part of her 46ish years; however, she didn’t really realize it until the last decade.  Danielle was born and raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, a serene and beautiful place where everyone knows your name.  After attending Salisbury University in Maryland and earning her bachelor’s degree in Communications, Danielle set out to change the world by raising awareness - and funds - for cancer research in both Maryland and Florida.  Florida seemed to be a natural fit and the next decade was spent immersed in marketing, public relations and fundraising locally and statewide for non-profit and for-profit organizations. Seeking prestigious professional titles and climbing the rungs of the career ladder became a primary focus—at this point in her life.

This focus dramatically changed as life had other plans. A serious auto-immune illness interrupted this career path trajectory. Everything stopped. Her life took a sharp right turn. Priorities changed also.  During this period, Danielle was forced to consider and reevaluate everything. She resigned from the corporate world and for the first time in her life she was forced to just “be” - which was not an easy thing for a perfectionist whose very identity was achievement in the eyes of others.  In this new chapter of her life, there were no more titles, no more promotions, no more accolades for hard work.

While this new era was initially a painful struggle, the new focus became one of self and soul searching. In retrospect, it became clear that Danielle was operating from a place of fear and unworthiness and not her true self. This internal strain continued for so long that it eventually caused her body to react by manifesting a serious illness.

While it would be easy to say all the lessons Danielle learned were a direct result of the initial diagnosis of her illness; that was not the case. Over a period of eight years, the illness returned three times and each time, in addition to the physical pain, it brought life changing insight, truth, and clarity.  Learning to be present and sharing life moments became acutely important.  Being present and actively listening to the wisdom found in others’ stories of struggle and joy took center stage.  Understanding what motivated and inspired others helped her further unveil this passion for motivational storytelling. 

Danielle has learned that what appears to be one of the darkest chapters of one’s life later ends up serving as a springboard for their true calling.

She realized that in many ways we all were more alike than different.  We all want and need to be heard. Through her weekly discussions for Weight Watchers and empirical research, she found constant themes among her clients, friends and colleagues: struggles about perfectionism, owning our self worth, embracing acceptance, feeling our way through forgiveness and understanding the gift of surrendering. These would eventually become the topics for her dynamic talks.

The world has so many lessons to teach us and it seemed it was time for Danielle to share hers beyond the walls of weekly Weight Watcher’s meetings.  Unbeknownst to her, it was time to take a big “leap of faith.”

After her first speaking engagement resulting from a chance invitation by a friend at a large community church, Danielle described the experience this way. “It was as if the light bulb went off.  Actually, it was more like a spotlight. At that moment when I first stepped behind the podium, sharing my stories…. it just felt natural for me.”

Since then, Danielle has spoken throughout her adopted home state of Florida with a few stints in Georgia, Alabama, Maryland and Delaware. She has presented to groups such as faith-based organizations, schools, health care providers and weight loss groups. The common thread for her talks is she simply teaches people how to “see” differently.  Danielle’s inspiration comes from a deep desire to connect with people about the “real” stuff, the stuff that makes us whole. Genuine stuff. 

Danielle enjoys exploring new places, time by the sea with toes in the sand, adding to her collection of 1,267 motivational quotes, and reading a good book about perseverance.  Those who know her well say, she can’t live without a good nap on Saturday, a really good fountain style Diet Coke, Pilates, daily meditation and prayer, and most importantly, her family and friends.  Danielle believes strongly in the power of our experiences to teach us what is good and genuine.  She is often quoted as saying, “I feel like a 99 year old woman on her deathbed, but I get a do-over.  What will I do with that do-over?  Make it count by humbly sharing lessons I have learned in order to inspire and guide others.”

She currently resides in Florida’s capital city with her husband and son.