What if your hunger wasn't the problem—but the shame around it was?

In this episode, Danielle takes you deep into the lie so many women have believed: that having an appetite makes you undisciplined, weak, or “too much.” She shares her personal story of surviving on 1,200 calories, chasing validation through shrinking her body, and the powerful moment she reclaimed her hunger—unapologetically.

You'll learn the science behind hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin), how chronic dieting wrecks your ability to feel full, and why real freedom starts when you stop performing “control” and start honoring your body's cues.

If you've ever felt guilty for craving food, second-guessed your portions, or apologized for ordering the burger—this one's for you.

You are not too much. You are finally listening.

You've blamed yourself long enough.

In this brutally honest episode, Danielle unpacks one of the most dangerous lies diet culture has ever sold women: If you can't stick to the plan, it's your fault.

She shares the raw, hilarious, and heartbreaking story of cycling through every “miracle” diet—cabbage soup, lemon water, fat burners—and how each one left her more depleted, discouraged, and convinced she was the problem.

But the truth?
You're not broken.
The system is.

This episode dives deep into the science of why 95% of diets fail, how your metabolism adapts under chronic restriction, and why your body's “rebellion” is actually a survival strategy—not sabotage.

✨ Plus: a powerful reframe that will help you stop chasing fixes and start pursuing healing.

You're not undisciplined. You've just been handed a rulebook designed to keep you stuck. And it's time to throw it out.

What if your “food problem” was never really about food?

In this raw and revealing first episode, Danielle pulls back the curtain on the emotional contracts we've made with food—how we use it to numb, to cope, to escape—and why shame, not sugar, is what truly keeps us stuck.

She shares the powerful story of hiding in the binge post-competition, ice cream in hand, and realizing that the binge wasn't the real issue—the guilt was. You'll learn the science behind stress eating and how the brain's reward center wires us into toxic cycles that dieting can't fix.

Most importantly, this episode delivers a breakthrough reframe:
Freedom begins the moment you stop moralizing food.

Whether you've ever snuck snacks in secret or punished yourself for “falling off,” this episode will meet you in the mess—and help you rise.

Hit play. The ice cream isn't the enemy. But shame? That's gotta go.

This week on Empower Her Plate, we're getting raw, real, and a little uncomfortable—because we're talking about death.

Not the kind that comes at the very end… but the quiet kind that creeps in when we stop living. The truth? All of us are already partially dead. We've lived out a percentage of our life—and the real question is: what are you doing with the part you've got left?

In this episode, I challenge you to look at how you're showing up. Are you coasting? Waiting? Playing it safe? Or are you chasing your life like it actually matters?

I share a piece of my own story—how I felt discouraged after pre-judging in my latest fitness competition. I could've rolled over, called it a loss, and let it define me. But I didn't. I made the decision that I wasn't done. I went back on that stage with everything I had left and proved to myself that I came to fight.

Two years ago, we sold everything and moved to Kauai. Why? Because we wanted to live fully. We wanted to stop waiting for “someday” and chase the kind of life that makes you feel alive. My sister never got that chance. She was called home at age 23, and I learned at the young age of 18 how fragile life is. I made a commitment to myself that year to live my life as full as possible, for her and for me. So I've made it my mission to live and create with everything I've got—until the day God calls me home.

This episode will challenge you, inspire you, and ask you the hard question:
Are you already dead… or are you fighting to live FULL OUT?

I end with a challenge and a journaling prompt to help you evaluate how you're living—and then take action to start living ALL IN.

Tune in now. Share it with someone who needs this message. Subscribe, leave a review, and let this be the week you stop waiting and start living.

This week on Empower Her Plate, we're diving into the power of focus—because where your focus goes, your life follows. And if you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or constantly second-guessing yourself… it's time to take a hard look at where your attention's really going.

I open up about my recent bikini competition, and the moment I lost focus—standing backstage, watching other girls, questioning if they were better than me, trying to match how they warmed up… basically, doing everything but focusing on what I needed. I let comparison sneak in. I stopped trusting myself. And it showed. I went out for pre-judging distracted, disconnected, and not at all in my power.

But then I remembered: this is my journey. I went back to my room, regrouped, and refocused. I meditated. I tuned back into me. And when I stepped back on stage for finals, I owned it—and moved from fourth or fifth place to second. Because when we focus within, we tap into our true power.

This episode is about:
The silent damage comparison can do
How people-pleasing keeps us stuck living someone else's life
Why your focus determines your results
And how powerful things start to unfold the moment you bring it back to you

If you're constantly scanning the world for how you "should" live, "should" show up, or "should" look—you're playing by outside standards, not your own. And that's the fastest way to lose yourself.

✨ I leave you with a journaling exercise to help you bring clarity to your own life:
Where in your life right now have you started focusing outside too much?
Where have you let the external become your standard—rather than the one you set for yourself?

This is the episode to pause, reflect, and get your focus back.
Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this message hits you—because your focus is your power. Use it wisely.

This week on Empower Her Plate, we're getting real about one of the hardest truths in life: no one can want it more than you do.

I dive into the classic phrase—“You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.” And let me tell you… it hits different when you realize you're the horse.

I open up about my own journey prepping for my next bikini competition, and how I was low-key slacking—overcomplicating things, making excuses, and avoiding the hard work. But the truth is, it wasn't complicated. I just wasn't choosing to go all in.

My coach can't drag me across the finish line—and I can't drag my Iron Butterfly girls either. We all have to choose for ourselves. Every. Single. Day.

This episode is your reminder that no one is coming to save you. If you want the results—whether it's in your body, your mindset, your dreams, or your life—you've got to show up and fight for them.

Tune in now for the wake-up call and the encouragement you need. Subscribe, share with a friend who's ready to level up, and let's keep choosing to fight—for ourselves and for the life we want.

Remember that old red Staples “Easy Button”? You'd hit it and boom—problem solved. Cute in a commercial… totally misleading in real life.

In this week's episode of Empower Her Plate, I'm calling out the easy button mentality that's been sold to us through slick marketing and quick-fix culture. We've been tricked into believing life should be easy—and if it's not, we must be doing it wrong. Spoiler alert: that's BS.

I share my own raw experience prepping for my bikini competition this year, and how it's actually been harder than my first time around—not physically, but mentally. I caught myself looking for shortcuts… trying to cheat the process… secretly hoping for an “easy” button to show up and save the day. But here's the truth I came back to: real results are built through hard work, consistent effort, and recommitting every day.

If you've been stuck in the loop of waiting for “easier,” this episode is your wake-up call. I challenge you to ditch your own version of the easy button and lean back into the process—because that's where the magic really happens.

Tune in now, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that hard isn't bad—it's just the beginning of something great.

In this week's episode of Empower Her Plate, Danielle is coming in hot with a truth bomb: it's not about grand slams—it's about swinging singles every. single. day. ⚾️

If you're someone who goes all in or not at all (hi, recovering perfectionists ‍♀️), this episode is your wake-up call. We talk about how that “all or nothing” mindset is the very thing keeping you stuck, and how sneaky excuses like “I don't have time” or “My schedule's a mess” are really just stories we hide behind.

The good news? You don't need hours of free time or a perfect plan—you just need to make daily deposits. Little consistent actions add up to real, lasting results. It's time to stop swinging for the fences and start showing up for your life one baby step at a time.

Tune in now, subscribe, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear that their small steps do matter. Big change starts with one choice today. Let's go!

In this episode, we're exploring the fascinating world of food triggers and emotional connections with a small dive into what the Empower Her Plate curriculum is like.

Ever find yourself reaching for ice cream when you're stressed, or devouring a bag of chips because you're feeling overwhelmed—and then wondering why it keeps happening? We'll unpack the why behind those impulses, get real about how our upbringing and beliefs shape our eating habits, and share practical tips for breaking the cycle.

If you've been craving a better relationship with food, this is your chance to gain fresh insights, laugh at our shared “food fails,” and discover a path to healing and freedom that goes way beyond another diet. Whether you're a busy mom, a stressed-out professional, or simply someone curious about how emotions drive your dinner plate, you won't want to miss this fun and eye-opening conversation. Grab your earbuds and tune in—your aha! moment might be just one episode away!

Can you actually get fit in just 4 minutes? Sounds too good to be true, right? In this episode of Empower Her Plate, I'm diving into the truth behind that viral question—and breaking down the science and strategy behind Tabata, interval training, and the many forms of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training).

We explore how Japanese researcher Dr. Izumi Tabata changed the game with his groundbreaking protocol—and how this powerful 4-minute training style helped me reach peak condition at 47. Growing up, I thought this age marked the end of being truly fit and active. Turns out… it's just getting good.

I talk about how different HIIT styles work, how to use them effectively (without burning out), and how these methods have helped me feel stronger, more energized, and more confident than ever.

But this episode isn't just about sweating smart—it's about getting clear on your reason for training in the first place. Because let's be honest… chasing a number on the scale or squeezing into a smaller pant size? That's never been the path to happiness.

This episode is full of strategy, mindset shifts, and some serious motivation to help you train for the life you want to live—not just the body you want to fit into.

Tune in, subscribe, and share it with a friend who's ready to ditch the all-or-nothing mindset and feel strong at ANY age.