Sydney-based journalist and writer Danielle has spent more than a decade shaping stories at some of Australia’s leading magazines — Vogue, InStyle and Gritty Pretty. Now, as a freelance creative, she’s exploring her own rhythm: balancing editorial work with her latest passion project, The Reservations Book Club, a growing community where women come together to read stories by women, for women, about women.

What stands out most about Danielle is the way she approaches wellbeing with the same curiosity she brings to her writing. Once viewing wellness through a purely physical lens, she now finds herself drawn inward — to the subtler layers of energy, thought and self-awareness that shape how we move through the world.

Her rituals are grounded in intention, from her twice-daily Vedic meditation practice to small Ayurvedic habits that connect her back to balance and clarity. And like her favourite books, her approach to health is both reflective and real — a blend of intellect, intuition and gentle self-enquiry.

In this conversation, Danielle shares the shift that taught her wellness begins within, the gut feelings that have guided her evolution as a writer, and why surrendering to life’s seasons has become her truest form of growth.

WHAT’S A WELLNESS MYTH YOU USED TO BELIEVE… AND WHAT CHANGED YOUR MIND?

I used to believe that wellness was all about the body but nowadays I’m much more focused on tending to my inner life. I think as we age, we realise how we feel, think and process our reality, is largely in our control. I’m interested in this as a practice: refining the quality of my energy, my internal beliefs, what is dominating my being – because this is really what defines our outward experience. 

WHAT’S ONE GUT FEELING YOU’VE FOLLOWED THAT TOTALLY CHANGED YOUR LIFE?

To keep moving in the direction of what I’m curious about, what I’m interested in, what I feel really drawn to – that is usually the direction of what is most evolutionary for me too. 

WHAT’S A NON-NEGOTIABLE RITUAL YOU DO FOR YOUR BODY — EVEN WHEN LIFE GETS CHAOTIC?

Meditation. I have a consistent, twice daily meditation practice, which involves a silent, mantra-based technique called Vedic meditation. It quietens my mind but also has incredible effects on the body: calming the nervous system, lowering stress hormones and restoring balance by activating the body’s natural healing response.

WHAT’S THE MOST UNDERRATED PART OF YOUR WELLNESS ROUTINE THAT ACTUALLY MAKES THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE?

Tongue scraping! This is a habit I’ve adopted the last two years and now I can’t imagine my life without it. I use a high-quality copper tongue scraper first thing after waking, which removes bacteria, supports oral health and honestly just feels super fresh – I brush my teeth after scraping. It’s an Ayurvedic health principle – removing ama (toxins) and supporting digestive and energetic balance throughout the body.

 

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF ONE PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I do think that we have the experiences we need to have at the time – so although I have plenty of advice for my younger self, I am conscious that challenges, relationships, successes and failures are opportunities for growth, learning and self-awareness. With this in mind, my advice might be to surrender – to trust that the experiences you’re having are exactly what you need and to focus on learning and growing from them rather than resisting. 

 

WHAT’S THE MOST SURPRISING CONNECTION YOU’VE DISCOVERED BETWEEN YOUR GUT AND HOW YOU FEEL MENTALLY OR EMOTIONALLY?

This is an area I’m still exploring – and finding the research fascinating. For me, what I eat is deeply connected to my emotions. On days when I eat poorly or skip meals, I feel unsettled or foggy, but when I’m mindful of what I eat, I tend to feel more calm and balanced. Among the benefits I’ve found since taking The Gut Cø is that my mood and focus feels more refined too. 

FINISH THIS SENTENCE: “I FEEL MOST LIKE MYSELF WHEN…”

I’m writing. When I’m writing, I really get into a flow state. Time passes so quickly and I feel really aligned. I suppose I feel the same way when I’m reading a great novel too, though I love the creative output involved in writing.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THE GUT CØ PRODUCT AND WHY? 

It has to be PROTEIN {collagen + WPI}. I love that it does double duty by combining collagen (for glowing skin and healthier hair and nails) with protein, making it perfect for adding to a morning smoothie. It really does streamline my daily ritual.