Danielle Van de Velde's private intuitive healing and spiritual mentoring sessions create a space and focus where people can experience transformative capabilities and beyond.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how Danielle Van de Velde, a meditation teacher and reiki master, gets it done like a boss.
How I get it done: Danielle Van de Velde
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
My background is in law and finance and I experienced a brilliant corporate career based between Sydney, London and New York in the property and finance sectors. At the same time, I indulged in a rich inner life of exploration in the esoteric arts and magic. There came a point when I couldn’t accommodate both, so I took a redundancy offered via a restructure and jumped into the unknown. That started with two years of ‘paid’ exploration in the London spiritual scene. I eventually made my way back to Australia and met my teacher (of now 25 years) who taught me the disciplines of meditation and shamanic practice.
On a typical morning
I’m an extreme early bird. I wake up around 4.30am to 5am every morning and ride across the island to the east coast (around 25km). During the ride, I listen to either my course lectures (School of Applied Jungian studies currently) or take in a couple of chapters of an audiobook. I greet every dawn outside, regardless of weather, with meditation, energy practices and usually some journalling. My days are very varied after this. It can be full days with clients in the clinic, or corporate talks and keynote speaking events, private workshops and zoom meetings with my online communities. On Monday mornings I join a group of international mediums to link with passed loved ones.
On dealing with self-doubt and criticism
I’ve learnt that these feelings are actually red flags… an invitation to apply some awareness and interrogation to my beliefs, fears or paradigms that I’m buying into. The way I explain self-doubt and criticism to my magical communities is to rather label the feelings as ‘doubt’ or ‘criticism’ to acknowledge some dissonance in the system, lean into them and ask them directly what they are highlighting for change. The trick is de-personalising the vibrations.
On keeping stress levels low
Meditation, movement, mucking around. I’m also very sensitive to soundscapes and content. I manage these deliberately. I have zero tolerance for gossip, b*tchy behaviour and stereotypical representations of spirituality – online and in person. Block and delete!
On staying motivated and energised
I’m motivated by continued learning and exploration. I’m always reading, studying and travelling with seasoned teachers. I’m also a big advocate of staying playful and moving energy through the system. I practice qigong, breath work and western classical magic practices daily to keep the flow running.
On the advice you’d give your younger self
This is not a dress rehearsal!
On winding down in the evening
Dinner with the kids and hubby and getting the lowdown on their worlds. Good food, red wine and setting off to sleep feeling good about the day that just passed.
Get in touch with Danielle online.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!
