Danny-J is an award-winning entrepreneur, coach, podcast host, and storyteller. As the former founder of The Sweaty Betties, an online fitness community, Danny-J discovered the most effective method for capturing attention and increasing revenue—sharing personal and brand stories. Danny-J's work can be heard in her weekly podcast, The Best Life Podcast and can be followed in real time on all the social media platforms. As a real-life example of "Truth is Stranger than Fiction" she uses her real "Jerry Springer Life" stories to engage with her audience, teaches life lessons and inspires others to rewrite their stories. Danny-J now teaches innovative brands and influencers to close more sales, become better leaders and blow up their brands with the irresistible power of sharing. She also helps tens of thousands of families become debt-free by sharing her real life getting out of debt story and challenge #FindTheMoneyProject. I have been following Danny on social media for a while now. When I learned she gave up a baby for adoption as a teen mom, I asked her to come on the show to be interviewed as a Shameless Mom. Danny’s story is filled with trauma and heartache, but it ends in triumph and so much love and joy that she could never have anticipated as a young desperate and clinically depressed young woman.  In this interview, we dive deep into Danny’s childhood, which was deeply impacted by her family’s religion, sexual abuse at the hands of her cousin, learning her biological father was a sperm donor, a serious eating disorder, depression with ongoing suicidal ideation, and a pregnancy at age 15 that ultimately saved her life.  Listen in to hear Danny share: How having a baby at 16 saved her from her eating disorder, depression and suicidal thoughts How giving up her baby actually gave her life purpose again How her grown daughter coached her on meeting her sperm donor bio dad last year How opening all the doors in her biological family relationships has improved all her relationships with her parents Why she is a Shameless Mom even though she didn’t raise her daughter PLEASE NOTE: this episode has been divided into Part 1 and Part 2. Make sure to come back next week to enjoy Part 2. Links Mentioned: Connect with Danny: dannyj.com Danny’s podcast with Jill Coleman: The Best Life Podcast(Episodes 18 and 19 are her adoption story and her interview with her daughter) The Best Life Podcast on Instagram Danny J on Instagram Thank you to our sponsors: Wing Alpha: Get $25 off your first cell phone bill when you go to Wing Alpha, click Join Wing and enter the code SHAMELESS. Simple Contacts: Get $20 off your contact lenses at Simple Contacts and enter the code SHAMELESS20 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices