Best D Life with Daniela - Work Life Balance & Wellness Strategies

For a long time, Anna Quigley thought of herself as a “numbers person.”

She worked in marketing, but didn’t see herself as creative. When her team invited her to share ideas, she started producing remarkable ones.

The surprise wasn’t that she’d suddenly become creative. It was that she’d been overlooking a strength that was already there.

I liked this example because “creative” doesn’t have to mean painting, performing, or writing. It can show up in the way someone spots patterns, solves a problem, or brings a fresh idea to a meeting.

Sometimes the challenge isn’t finding a new gift. It’s noticing the one you’ve been using all along.

Anna Quigley is a Transformational Speaker, Catalyst and founder of The Call Forward. She has been called the “Intuitive Yoda” for her ability to help people see what they’ve been overlooking in themselves - and do something about it. Through her signature Uncover, Realign, Express framework, Anna bridges science and soul to help audiences uncover the unique gifts they’ve been dismissing and step boldly into lives of purpose, fulfillment and impact - with clarity, confidence and conviction. With over four decades at the intersection of psychology, intuitive living, and mind-body practices, Anna brings rare depth to everything she teaches.

Connect with Anna!

Website - https://thecallforward.com/

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Our calendars are more than just schedules—they're a reflection of our priorities.

A study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that on an average day, employed Americans spend about 7.6 hours on work-related activities, but only 2.6 hours on leisure and sports. Where does the rest of it go?

In the episode, I talk about looking at your calendar not as a to-do list, but as a data report on your life. What's taking up the most space? Is it meetings and obligations, or is there dedicated time for rest, connection, and health? If we say we value family, but our calendar shows back-to-back appointments with no room for quality time, there's a disconnect. It's not about achieving a perfect balance, but about making intentional room for what truly matters to us.

Beyond our calendars, our bank accounts tell a story about our values. I’m not a financial advisor, but I find it fascinating to look at spending as a form of feedback.

If you say you value experiences, but find that most of your discretionary income goes toward material things, that’s just information. If health is a top priority, are you investing in nutritious food or fitness?

There’s no right or wrong way to spend, but aligning our financial habits with our stated values can be a powerful way to reduce the internal friction that leads to burnout.

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Have you ever thought, "I'll be happy when..."?

It's a common trap for high achievers. We set a goal, whether it’s a promotion, a new house, a certain income, believing that once we reach it, we'll finally feel fulfilled. But often, the feeling is fleeting.

In a culture that constantly pushes for more, defining what "enough" means for you is actually about deciding what you’re no longer willing to sacrifice. This isn't about lowering your standards; it's about setting your own finish lines based on well-being, not just achievement. It's the ultimate strategy for preventing burnout.

My own life used to be a checklist, but I learned that this mindset is a direct path to burnout because the finish line just keeps moving. The joy isn't in arriving; it's in building a life you love along the way.

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Burnout isn't just a wellness issue; it's a direct threat to business performance.

In this episode of the podcast, I tackle workplace burnout and challenge the traditional approach to wellness. Rather than offering wellness activities as perks, I believe companies need to address the root causes of burnout by supporting employees' capacity to perform sustainably under pressure. I highlight the importance of recovery after intense work periods, protecting critical roles, and shifting from coping strategies to meaningful systemic change. Let’s learn to ask deeper questions about employee well-being and look at how we measure outcomes.

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If this conversation made you think about your own team, I want to invite you to take the next step. Let's have a conversation and figure out what your people actually need before adding one more thing to their plates. Book your spot HERE

In this episode of the podcast, I welcome holistic wellness expert Edie Summers, who shares her journey into wellness after developing chronic fatigue following a ski accident. Edie discusses key pillars for combating burnout. She emphasizes building self-awareness to recognize the body's signals, following curiosity to explore wellness modalities, and incorporating small moments of self-care into busy schedules. She talks about the body as a "web of well-being." It’s a powerful idea: touching one point on the web reverberates through the entire system. Think about it: poor sleep can lead to carb cravings, which can affect your energy for exercise, which then affects your mood. It's a domino effect. But the good news is that it works both ways. This interconnectedness is a core principle in holistic wellness and a reminder that small, intentional actions can create significant shifts in our overall health.

Edie Summers is an author, coach, consultant and content creator in the holistic wellness and business sectors. She has over 30 years of experience in holistic health. She has extensive training and experience in: alternative and integrative health and well-being, wellness and high-performance coaching, counseling, yoga, and dance. She is the author of the book “The Memory of Health,” a memoir and guide to holistic well-being. Edie wrote this book over the course of ten years, and it is full of research, theories, and tips on improving energy and well-being holistically. She wrote the book for anyone who has chronic fatigue for any reason, burnout, CFS, or who has been through severe stress, chronic illness, or trauma. No matter what you have faced, know there are tools, tactics, and holistic strategies to feel better, sleep better, and reclaim your energy, peace, and well-being, even if you find a new normal.

Connect with Edie!

website - ediesummers.com,

YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest

I used to believe that success meant being the first to arrive and the last to leave. I lived by the "sleep when you're dead" mentality that so many of us grew up with. But eventually, I realized this approach was leading me straight to burnout, not to better results.

Burnout isn't a sign of weakness; it's our body’s final, desperate signal that we've ignored its needs for too long. On the podcast this week, I got real about reframing this narrative. We need to shift our daily question from "What else can I squeeze into my day?" to "What can I do today to help myself recover enough to keep showing up tomorrow?"

I want to challenge the cultural glorification of exhaustion, and argue that recovery is the true foundation of sustainable productivity.

It’s a small change in perspective with a massive impact on energy and well-being. What's one small thing you do to help yourself reset during a busy day?

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Mentioned in the episode: Grab Your Free Reclaim Your Time in 10-Minute Blocks Cheatsheet HERE

Why is it so hard to stick to new habits, even when we know they're good for us?

You might feel motivated on Monday, but by Thursday, old patterns creep back in. It’s not a lack of willpower. It's often our underlying mindset. Those automatic responses you've practiced for years.

When faced with stress, do you tend to speed up, procrastinate, or people-please? Recognizing these go-to reactions is the first step. True change isn't about forcing new behaviors; it's about understanding the "why" behind your current ones so you can intentionally create new, more supportive responses.

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Mentioned in the episode - grab your free micro-coaching session HERE and let’s create your mindset reset.

Have you ever left a conference buzzing with motivation, ready to change everything, only to find yourself back in the same old routine a week later?

It’s a common cycle, and it’s not yours or the speakers fault. The fact is, there is a difference between motivation and transformation. Motivation often comes from external sources, like an inspiring speaker or a great book. Transformation, however, is an internal process supported by consistent practice. While motivation asks, "What can I do to feel inspired?", transformation asks, "What systems can I build to support myself when inspiration fades?" This shift in perspective is crucial for moving beyond temporary fixes and creating lasting well-being.

On this episode I explore why this happens. Motivation is a powerful spark, but it's short lived. It can't, by itself, rewrite ingrained habits or change a demanding work culture.

Transformation doesn't always have to be a massive overhaul. True, lasting change and transformation comes from pairing that initial inspiration with small, consistent actions and supportive systems.

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Organizing isn't just one big, chaotic task. It's a process.

In this episode, I welcome life organizing strategist TakillaRene Combs, who shares her journey from organizing friends and family to building a professional practice. Takilla introduces her seven phases of organization, emphasizing that true organization extends beyond physical spaces to include time management and boundaries. She offers practical advice and highlights organization as an empowering lifestyle and essential form of self-care.

Meet TakillaRene. She is The Life Organizing Strategist, a Professional Organizer, the Owner of The Organized Life HQ, and the President of NABPO (National Association of Black Professional Organizers). She is on a mission to change lives one space at a time by helping people achieve peace and productivity through organization.

With a natural talent for creating harmony and simplicity, she has an eye for uncovering the beauty hidden within clutter, chaos, and disorder. Her passion lies in transforming not just spaces but lives, empowering individuals to embrace a more peaceful and productive lifestyle.

In addition to her work, she is the proud mother of two amazing young men who inspire her daily. Outside of organizing, Takilla loves to dance and dedicate her spare time to advocating for young women in the community, helping them find confidence, purpose, and direction.

Takilla believes in the power of organization to create clarity, and I’m committed to making a difference - one space and one life at a time.

Connect with Takilla!

Websites https://www.xtremeaudacity.com

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People often ask what makes my approach to burnout prevention different. It isn’t a specific framework or just my social work background. It’s the simple, yet often overlooked, practice of listening before teaching.

In a world saturated with opinions and advice, the act of genuinely pausing to understand someone's reality is rare. This has been the cornerstone of my work for over 30 years. It’s about peeling back the layers beyond the initial "how are you?" to understand the dynamics at play in a person's life or a team's culture. The best strategies are the ones that fit the people, not the other way around.

So many of us carry invisible stresses simply because we don't feel we have the time or space to be truly heard. Creating that safe space is foundational. When people feel seen, their nervous system can settle, defenses lower, and they become more open to finding their own solutions. It's not about being given an answer; it's about having the space to discover your own.

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