Kelly Danielson
You are more powerful than you realize and use that power to better yourself and the world around you. - Kelly Danielson
When I decided to do this series of women interviews this year, I wanted to be open to all kind of stories and inspiring women. I didn't want to actively look for these stories, I just trusted that they would find me.
This past winter I received my alma mater's publication, Arches, from the University of Puget Sound. I am not an active member of my alumni association so I usually just toss the magazine in the recycling bin once I receive it.
But this past winter, the magazine's cover captured my attention.
There is a beautiful, powerful woman standing in ocean water accompanied by the headline: The Power Of Yes.
Inside was a story about a woman who faced her fear of the open ocean and sailed with an all women crew to win The Race To Alaska.
Ah, there she is, my next interview!
I read Kelly's remarkable story about how she rekindled her sense of adventure that had gone dormant in her since having children and how she competed in an all girl sailing team in the Race To Alaska without initially knowing how to sail.
But Kelly is the type of person that likes a challenge, so she prepared, trained and competed in the biggest race of her life.
She knew that the biggest growth happens on the other side of fear and how important it is to say, YES to the challenges in life.
I like to try things that scare me, just so I can understand why the fear is there in the first place.
The women called their team Sail Like a Girl, with a shared a goal of inspiring more girls and women to get into sailing.
It's a great story* and I'm so glad Kelly generously took the time to be a part of this interview series.
*Diving Into The Deep - Puget Sound Stories
What did you daydream about when you were a kid?
As a child I spent a majority of my time outdoors, often in trees, reading.
I daydreamed a good deal about saving nature. I was often late to the bus because I had to rescue all the earthworms off the road before the hot afternoon sun would fry them.
I had few close friends and so I watched others and wondered about other people's worlds.
What is your favorite thing about your studio or workspace?
In my work life I am a pediatric occupational therapist. I love that my workspace is about play- swings, trampolines and scooters. I love to watch children play and explore the boundaries of what they are physically capable of.
The outdoors continue to be my personal work space. I like to explore new trails, new water and new environments. I learn about myself as I explore the outdoors in new ways.
What have been some of the greatest challenges in your career?
The greatest challenges in my career are when I am unable to guide children or families through the dark spaces they may encounter in their lives. Conversely when I am able to, it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job
What does success mean to you?
As for career success, success means helping a child to engage in activities they were previously unable to engage in. Whether it’s climbing a play structure that intimidates them, asking a friend to play or drawing a favorite animal.
As for personal success, I feel successful when I approach a task that intimidates me and I give it my best effort. I don’t gauge success by winning or losing but by stretching my comfort zone and trying new things.
How do you deal with self doubt or insecurity?
Some days this is easier than others. I rely a good deal on friends I trust and that truly know me during rockier times. When I can, I continue to push my boundaries and seek to understand the route of the insecurity.
I like to try things that scare me, just so I can understand why the fear is there in the first place.
Who or What inspires you?
Passion inspires me. Watching children or adults follow a dream that is meaningful to them- whether big or small. And nature- nature continues to be a guiding inspiration.
What advice has been the most helpful in your life?
As a child and young adult I would often feel others pain too deeply to the point it was challenging to separate my own feelings.
Important and seemingly simple advice I was given was set healthy boundaries with others and ultimately you will be more successful in helping others.
You can’t continue to give when you have given away your reserves.
Tell me about a failure that you learned from?
Instead of a specific failure I think speaking to failure in general is more significant for me. I have big and small failures but the greatest lesson I have learned is not to shut down from failure and to try and be open to how I can grow.
It’s tricky sometimes how the mind and the heart can try and protect you from failure- and an important lesson for me has been to be an observer of the emotional response in order to gain a better insight to my strengths and weaknesses.
Tell Me - Why you do What you do?
As for work, I chose to work with children because of the light that I see in them and how that light makes me strive to be a better person.
As for my various outdoor adventures- I’m not myself if I’m not a part of the outdoors- in whatever capacity that may be at the time.
Do you have a favorite song, book or quote that motivates you?
I love music and books. They have both impacted me significantly since I was a child. As for a quote that I often go back to-
The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you
Don't go back to sleep! - RUMI
Name 1 or 2 women who you admire?
Too many to name- so many women have come into my life and provided me with wisdom, love and kindness when I have needed it most.
I am beyond grateful to them all.
If you could look back and give yourself some advice as you were starting out, what would it be?
Don’t waste your time and energy on people that don’t see you for who you really are and honor you for it.
Don’t give up on learning something before you have really tried.
What one piece of advice would you give to young girls who are trying to navigate their future?
Ha! Very similar to what I would have told my younger self!
In addition, open your heart to the possibilities that lie before you.
You are more powerful than you realize and use that power to better yourself and the world around you.
And, plant trees and use less.