Tell us about your family. How many Kids?
I have four kids. Harper is 7, twins Harlow and Beau are 4, and London is 1.
What’s the part of being a mum that fills you up the most?
Hearing them laugh, watching them learn new things, their cuddles and innocence. Knowing that no one else can take this role from me.
What’s one thing that genuinely helps you stay afloat in the day-to-day juggle?
Looking after me first.
When I feel good, I yell less, I’m a better and more patient mum, and I’m more fun to be around.
How do you carve out space for career, motherhood, love, friends, and still find a moment for you?
I come first, really.
Some people may think that sounds egotistical, but it has to be that way. Everything works better when I feel good.
I’m up at 4.30am to exercise and nourish myself first. Then my workday is planned out, and fun activities are scheduled in with the kids, friends and my husband.
Where do you find fashion that genuinely feels like you?
Haha, me and fashion is a funny topic.
I actually have a fashion degree but am probably the most un-trendy person ever. I usually find pieces in random stores, small boutiques, or while travelling overseas.
What does living a healthy, grounded life look like in your world?
It means planned meals and nourishing food always available in the house.
Exercise is non-negotiable. It’s just something I do, and I make sure my kids see how important it is too.
It also means sharing our feelings and having an open-book house. We share everything and everyone knows there is never any judgement. Life is hard, but we can do hard things.
How do you keep your body moving in a way that feels realistic and sustainable?
I love exercise. It’s one of the loves of my life.
Especially after cancer, what a privilege it is to be able to move my body.
I always like having goals in place. At the moment it’s back-to-back marathons and building strength. Sustainable looks different for everyone.
What’s one non-negotiable that keeps your mind and body well?
Exercise. Haha.
When you think of balance, what does that actually mean to you in real life?
It means being able to do all the things I love without burning out.
It means making time for the things that matter and letting go of the things that don’t serve me or my family.
Ultimately, it’s about creating a life you love.
What does your morning routine honestly look like?
4.30am wake-up (4.10am on Fridays).
Big drink of water, gratitude practice, pre-workout drink, then I’m either at the gym or on my deck working out by 5am.
I train for 30 to 40 minutes, head home for breakfast for myself and the kids, make school lunches, get everyone dressed, teeth brushed and out the door by 7.30am Monday to Wednesday, and 6.15am Thursday and Friday.
How do you wind down at night?
Every evening looks a little different.
I coach two nights a week and Chris has football two nights a week. Depending on the night, I’m cooking dinner, we’re eating together, playing, reading books, doing showers (every second day for the kids), brushing teeth and getting everyone into bed by 7pm.
If I’m coaching, I’ll do that. Otherwise, if Chris is at football, I’ll often do some more work with a tea and some chocolate.
I pump for London at 9pm, then shower, brush my teeth, try to read a little of my book and get into bed around 9.30pm or 10pm.
On Friday nights and weekends, Chris and I usually watch a movie or TV show, sometimes with the kids too.
What’s something about you that would genuinely surprise people?
Oh gosh…
Maybe how much ultra-processed food I ate as a kid.
Or maybe that I tried to take my own life with anti-inflammatory medication when I was 16.
Not a fun time. Danni now is a very different person.
What’s a truth about yourself that took you years to finally admit?
That I’m an overachiever.
I always say I’m no different to anyone else, but I definitely have this go-go-go mindset. Some people say I have ADHD, haha, whatever.
I just never stop. I always have energy and I always have a new idea.
When do you feel most like the truest version of yourself?
When I’m around Chris, the kids and my best friends and can just be completely myself.
What’s a single moment that quietly shifted the direction of your life?
Seeing one of my young employees die at 21.
In that moment, I realised how short and precious life really is, and that spending your life doing things that don’t make you happy is a waste
What’s a mistake you’re genuinely grateful you made?
I’ve made so many.
Every mistake is a lesson and a change in direction. Every one of those turns has led me to where I am now.
What’s one boundary that completely changed your life?
Being honest with people around food, for myself and my kids, in situations that would normally call for junk food.
I realised people are often more worried about their own choices than mine. It’s like holding up a mirror.
What part of yourself do you judge the most?
That I’m never good enough.
I constantly feel average. I hate that I can’t seem to do things 100%.
I judge myself a lot for that, especially when I spend so much time talking about how people can change their lives.
What’s something you pretend you don’t care about, but secretly do?
How I look. Haha.
What’s something about you that people would never guess?
That I’ve been married before.
If you could live an entirely different life for a year, what would you choose?
This life.
What’s something that still feels uncomfortable, but you’re pushing yourself to do anyway?
Putting my phone down and not working between 4pm and 7pm.
It’s fucking hard. It’s a habit.
What’s a version of yourself you’re trying to become?
A fucking powerhouse in every way. Physically. Mentally. As a mum. As a wife. As a coach. As a human.
When you think about your younger self, what do you wish she knew?
That everything is going to turn out exactly how it’s supposed to.
Chill.
What’s the hardest part of motherhood for you to admit out loud?
My rage.
I yell, and I hate it. Afterwards, I feel so guilty.
What’s a small joy getting you through this season of life?
My plants.
The Five Things In My Bag I Can’t Leave Home Without
- Prada sunglasses (although honestly, they could just as easily be my $20 pair. I never leave home without sunglasses).
- My drink bottle. Always.
- MAC Lipstick in Creme d’Nude.
- My phone, of course.
- Food of some kind, fruit, yoghurt or a piece of slice. You never know when you’ll get hungry.
Visit, Buy, Do
Visit: The Maldives.
Buy: More time with my kids.
Do: Finally get my bloody tattoos removed. I’ve wanted to do it for years.
What inspired you to become a women’s health and fitness coach?
My own struggles with my body and becoming a mum.
I realised so many women believed it was black and white. Either be strong, lean and restrictive, or enjoy life and be unhealthy.
The same goes for motherhood. People think you have to choose between being a mum and being a woman. I didn’t want to lose myself in motherhood, and I wanted other women to know they didn’t have to either.
What has been the biggest challenge?
Understanding that sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.
You have to spend money to make money. You have to make mistakes.
I don’t really see those things as challenges though, more as part of the pathway.
The biggest challenge for me right now is slowing down and making sure I don’t work too much. That’s the challenge with running your own business, creating your own boundaries.
Have there been moments where you’ve wanted to give up?
Absolutely.
Less now than before, but there have definitely been moments.
When you get trolled, when sales aren’t coming in, when people aren’t signing up, it’s easy to think you suck.
When bills are due and the mortgage still needs paying, it’s easy to think life would be easier with a regular pay cheque.
But then I think about it for about half a second and remember how much I love what I do.
When did you realise it was going to be a success?
Honestly, right from the start.
People connected with how I spoke, what I spoke about, and the fact that I was just honest and raw and showed up exactly as I am.
People were listening, and I just knew.
This was how I was going to create my life.
Have you had to make changes to your business since becoming a mum?
I actually started my business as a mum.
When we had London, we brought in a nanny because we physically couldn’t do it all anymore with four kids and both of us working.
For me to continue running businesses, I needed support.
What’s coming up for you?
Ohhhh, haha.
We have some secret squirrel stuff happening that’s super exciting.
But I’d also love to write another book, create another app and do more speaking events. One day I’d love to do my own tour.
I have big dreams, but I also know these things take time.
I’m not willing to sacrifice time with my kids chasing things I know can happen later. Sometimes we think we have to do everything right now, but we don’t.
Discover more about Danni Duncan
