My photoshoot with Danielle was a joy! We talked a lot about a little bit of everything and there were even full minutes passing without any photos being created because the topics were just so interesting. From current events, the happenings in her industry and diversity, we hit all the hot topics of the day. Find out more about Danielle by continuing to read.
Where is your hometown and how long have you been in the DC metro area?
Born and raised in the Wonderful City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! Moved to Maryland in 2007, after getting married.
Are you a mother? If so, how old are your children?
I am a proud and happy mother of two wonderful boys: Joaquim, who goes by Waka and is 10, and Gabriel/Gabe who is six. After years of infertility, they are a dream come true.
Are you a business owner? If so, tell us what that business is and who it serves.
Not a business owner, but a writer who just published my first book, Viva Para Contar (Alive to Tell) this year. After more than a decade, I finally was able to share my personal experience with cancer as a young woman. I chose to write it in Portuguese, as there is nothing written about the specific cancer I had (fibrolamellar hepatocellular cancer, a very rare type of liver cancer affecting 1 in 5 million people, mostly between the ages of 13 and 25) and very little content about cancer in young people. Cancer was a scary and lonely experience for me. I wrote the book to let other cancer patients know that they are not alone and there was someone in their shoes who once was as scared and lost as they are now, but lived to tell the story.
All about Self-Love
When do you feel the most beautiful?
When I am surrounded by the people I love — my husband, my boys, my extended family and wonderful friends. It also helps if I am close to water, or even better close to the beach and to some palm trees. To me, beauty is about connection. — with humanity and with nature.
Do you have a self-care routine? If so, what is it?
I try to meditate every day but it doesn’t always happen. I constantly pray and connect with God to deepen my faith. Because I believe we are all in this together and we all serve a higher purpose, I love keeping in touch with family and friends all over the world, via video chats, text messages or even calls. Connecting with people who really know me feeds my soul.
What does being Fiercely Feminine mean to you?
Being fiercely feminine is being my authentic self. I never thought these words were mutually exclusive… You can be bold, you can be daring, you can speak your truth and still be feminine. Being fiercely feminine is wearing Fuschia and commanding a board room. Being fiercely feminine is showing that you can be a mother, a spouse and an executive, embracing every role with passion and courage, knowing that you are not perfect and that you don’t have to be.
What is a goal you have been working on?
I am working on being kind — to others but especially to myself. I believe one needs to lead from the heart, with compassion and understanding, I am working on being more emotionally (not intellectually) curious and on being open to other perspectives and opinions so I can broaden my horizons and enrich my life. I truly believe we are all work in progress and this idea fascinates me.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Be kind to yourself. Listen to your gut but keep your eyes open. In the end, it will all work out. Your heart will lead the way.
Finish the statement – I am a woman who…
lives her truth and chases her dreams. Not without fear, but with a strong faith and sheer determination.
Anything else we should know?
I am a cancer advocate and cancer survivor. On October 22, I will celebrate 19 years of survival. I used to hate the word “survival” because for the longest time I just wanted to live a normal life, like everyone else. But the truth is that, with time, I found out that my cancer experience showed me who I could and wanted to be and shaped me into who I am today. Cancer does not define me but it certainly made me more human.
