When I first heard of Danielle Serpico, the Blackbelt MastermindI just knew I had to meet her. We ended up spending hours chatting about positive mindsets, her work with Paul McKenna and just life in general. Danielle is one of the most engaging people I have met since I started this journey through Wellness. Her knowledge of NLP is tremendous and I ended up asking her to share her talents at our monthly wellness events with astounding success. I managed to grab a few moments with Danielle this week and asked her to share her insight with you, our readers.

1. Tell us about yourself, and how you got to be where you are today?

I’m a half Irish/half Italian girl. After growing up in Rome, I was brought to Ireland when my parents divorced. I ended up becoming an entrepreneur and in the restaurant trade with four businesses. In 2009 (in the recession) after 16 years in business, I closed the doors on my last restaurant.

That’s when my next journey started in personal development, training with the best in the world and discovering my true passion.

Now I am a Life & Mind Coach and a Certified Licensed NLP Practitioner, Master & Trainer with the best in the world.

I am also a European Gold and Silver Medal Champion in Kenpo Karate and teach Self Defence for Mind, Body & Spirit as well as hosting two Radio Shows - RadioMasterMind on wwww.charityradio.ie and MindMatters at dublincityfm.

The moment I realized I was in control of my mind rather than the other way around, everything changed. I was able to change that internal dialogue in my head to something more beneficial. This caused me to feel better about myself and hence start to make better decisions and actions. I could see the ripple effect around me.

This led me on to write, ‘The Blackbelt Mastermind’, a Self-help book on having a fighter spirit and a successful mind set and to create my M.A.S.T.E.R System, which stands for Masterful Attitude Strength and Tenacity Equals Results.

I believe I am still on a journey but now I am enjoying the trip much much more!

2. Tell us how you spend your average working day

Everyday is different for me now. Although I do have daily rituals. I meditate every night before I fall asleep and every morning when I wake. This sets my intention for the day. I also write regularly in a journal and jot down a number of things I am grateful for that day.

I am on the road a lot (meeting clients) so tend to block book days – some at home, to write, blog, do online stuff or simply chill out, do housework, garden or paint. Other days, I meet people I am working with – my favourite way is on my Walk the Talk. I give a lot of Talks also and Workshops as well.

Exercisewise, I do a lot of walking in the woods with my two dogs as well as the occasional jog and gym visit as well as my weekly Karate class. 

In general I take at least one day a week (without fail) for quality time with my partner and my dogs. We go for longer hikes up the mountains or by the sea. For me this is pure bliss and vitally essential to feel rejuvenated again. We come back and go for our weekly visit to our local, where I indulge in a glass of Guinness with blackcurrant lol.

3. What inspires you?

Kind people. I know that’s corny but it’s true. I despise rudeness and bullying. I think it comes from a childhood of feeling I did not belong. I am very protective of people and anyone who may be feeling intimidated or insulted.

People that have character and depth inspire me. Not just the outward ‘personality’ but the real inside bit. People who say something and really mean it. People who act on their beliefs.

People who fight for a cause they believe in (good stuff or course).

4. What’s your goal in life?

I know …even more corny…but …to make the world a slightly better place. To help people be more aware, about their own minds and the effect that has on others around them. To leave a little mark on humanity. I hope to inspire others to see that this world is very beautiful and that us humans can make a difference. I guess…to be a catalyst for change…for good.

Apart from that to become a Best Selling Author and my book to become a blockbuster movie 

5. What does Wellness mean to you?

I think Wellness is subjective and different for everybody. I believe we have to look after ourselves, to eat healthy and exercise and to respect our bodies and this time we have here in this ‘vessel’ of ours but ultimately for me it mostly means to feel good, physically and mentally. My mental ‘health’ is so important. I truly believe it all starts from there - I am a Mind Coach after all 

If we are in a good state of mind, we will make better decisions which lead to better actions and better results. Hence better bodies, eating habits, etc…Wellness also means being at peace to me. Being content.

6. What advice would you give to a person looking to change their lifestyle to a happier healthier one?

As already touched on ..everything is created twice – first in your mind and then in reality. So start within. Imagine the result you want, then watch it backwards, seeing the steps you took to get there. Now pick the first tiny little thing you did and do that again in reality.

Most people fail because they start too big and then lose momentum. Take one little tiny step forward everyday and build that self belief muscle. Create new little tiny habits you can be proud of and congratulate yourself on. That’s how you build your confidence muscle. Then everything changes.

Also get out and about. Experience new things. Do something different. Learn something new. Every day I challenge myself to do something outside my comfort zone. It helps me grow, learn and most of all expands my horizon and makes my life better!

7. Tell us about your business?

I am in the business of ‘Changing your Mind’…easily. I love showing you how your brain works for you and not the other way around. When you realize this and how to make sure you are in charge your life changes. That’s what I do. I coach you 1 to 1 on my walks, or I mentor you for 6 months or a year or I do training and workshops in Mindset and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

I help you have more effective communication internally and externally so you can have better more productive and beneficial relationships both with yourself and others.

8. Tell us your Top 3 Tips for Wellness?

1) Be happy to be wrong!  Don’t get so hung up in what you thought was the ‘truth’. Be OPEN to CHANGE. It’s so much healthier for you. When I’m wrong I am honestly happy because I know I just learnt something. This is a biggie! So keep an open mind and never jump to assumptions.

2) Remember everything starts with your mindset. So instead of forcing yourself to do something because you think its good for you but you really aren’t in the mood, wait until you are or get yourself in the mood – the right state – first! Then go do it. Soooo much more beneficial this way. So again – visualize it first and have fun while you’re doing it!

3) Set your intention daily – This is the best habit!  You may have heard…’You get more of what you focus on’ …so what are you focusing on? Do you wake up and plan for your day to go bad or good? Are you looking for problems or great results? What do you anticipate?  How about you focus on what good stuff will happen instead? Plan for it in advance. The more you look for the good stuff the more you will find and the more it will excite you to do and look for more. It’s really very simple – just requires a simple shift in the direction of which you are looking.

9. So what’s next in your career/life?

I have learnt that we never know what’s next…. But some of the stuff I have on my vision board is bringing my training and coaching further afield. Next year UK and Italy and then the States.

I plan to bring my program more online and also to do longer retreats abroad.

A follow up self development book to The Blackbelt MasterMind is in the pipe line plus a children’s illustrated one ..and my Fantasy Fiction young adult novel is just about finished now and heading off to publishers, so watch this space.

In the kind’time…I will paint more and have to get ready to jump out of a plane! 

If you'd like more information on Danielle Serpico , the Blackbelt Mastermind click here