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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

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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

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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

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

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

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

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

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