The Story of Behind The Spark

Danni Taylor • January 28, 2022

The Story of Behind The Spark

Introduced to netball by my Grade 4 best friend, I became a passionate, athletic and skilled netballer who played in the Victorian State Team as a 15-year-old. On completing VCE, I was awarded a full-year live-in scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. 


After leaving the AIS in 1996, I returned to Melbourne (with my husband-to-be) and soon went on to play in our nation’s most elite netball competition at the time – the Commonwealth Bank Trophy (National Netball League). As a Melbourne Phoenix and Melbourne Kestrels player, I was given a unique opportunity to be guided by our country’s elite Sports Scientists and Dieticians. 

Danni Smith from Melbourne Kestrels defends Rebecca Sanders from Adelaide Thunderbirds in 2001 Commonwealth Bank Trophy match

Post-athlete Life Saw Me Graduate University and Become the Teacher I Was Meant to Be

Devastated by the disappointment of my career-ending ACL injury (and a little burnt-out from the decade of intense training and constant sacrifice), I left my beloved netball behind.


Education became the bright light in my life. My first ever class of thirty-three Grade 6 students allowed me to nurture my natural teaching ability. Motherhood - my greatest career to-date – was the only thing that could remove me from the classroom. 

Danni’s first year of teaching, helping the students create face masks of endangered animals

Becoming a Mum to My Two Beautiful Children Taught Me My Biggest Lessons

But, over the years, I lost and found myself over and over again. As ‘Chief Homemaker’, I was always there for my kids but, over time, my passion for netball re-ignited. While juggling mum-duties, I began to squeeze netball coaching in at schools, clubs and organisations throughout Victoria.

Coaching clinic

Fast-forward to 2017, When My World Began to Crumble

I experienced an unexpected trauma that sent me in to an emotional tailspin. The world saw what I wanted them to see - that I was happy, healthy, organised and had it together. It was only a select few who knew the real turmoil, and only my husband shared my darkest moments. 


I felt emotionless. I called it “Blah”. No highs. No lows. Just blah. 

"I dealt with my depression by eating my emotions. Cakes. Donuts. Chocolate. Pastries. Cookies. And, over 12 months, I stacked on so much weight that my clothes no longer fit."

I had been an elite athlete. I knew this behaviour was bad for me. But I couldn’t control it. I cried myself to sleep sometimes, hardly able to look at the person in the mirror, despising all she was and everything she represented – fat, ugly, weak, worthless, useless. 

Blah

Like an Answer to My Prayers, I Received a Message That Altered the Course of My Life.

An advertisement for a Summer Body Reset and an accountability partner to help me achieve my goals. It felt like destiny, so I jumped in and – as they say – the rest is history.


I regained control; established good eating habits, kicked my sugar cravings, and began to exercise again. I became empowered with knowledge of new wellness rituals and re-invigorated through practising old health habits. 

Spark Returned!

"After a few months, people began to notice … my SPARK had returned … and my friends wanted what I had found!"

Organically, the Rediscovery and Rekindling of My Passion for Life Led Me to Begin Helping Other People Find Their Spark

My journey gives me indescribable joy. I absolutely love guiding people to ignite their self-esteem and self-worth.


And now I would love to help you …

Find Your Spark brings a feeling of intangible happiness that emanates from within. It radiates in your smile, boosts your confidence and brings an inexplicable positive energy that ripples out to all aspects of your life. 


I want to help you Find Your Spark. 

CALL DANNI ON 0407 858 652

Workplace Wellness: Help your Employees ‘Find Their Spark’

By Danni Taylor • February 22, 2022
Workplace Wellness is defined by the Global Wellness Institute as ‘any workplace health promotion activity or organizational policy designed to support healthy behaviour among employees and to improve health outcomes.’1 In some industries, Workplace Wellness may be better known by such titles as ‘Corporate Wellbeing’ or ‘Employee Health Promotion’. These programs could involve: medical screening incentives behaviour change intervention fitness social support competition activities to promote wellbeing - e.g., resilience training, yoga, stress management, life satisfaction. Find Your Spark concentrates on maximising the vital aspects of your physical health, including exercise regimes, sleep schedules, and stress management, with a strong focus on eating well.

Ignite: Make the Change to a Healthy and Happy You

By Danni Taylor • February 13, 2022
Congratulations on your commitment to transform your health! It’s incredible to recognise you wish to become healthier and happier. As you embark, feel comforted in the knowledge that Find Your Spark will be there to help you celebrate, and navigate, the uncomfortable nature of change. When beginning a health change, start with your nutrition. What you eat has an undeniable impact on the way you feel. This affects all other aspects of transforming your health – from mood and positivity, to your desire to exercise, your sleeping patterns, stress levels, connection and relationships with others, as well as purpose and fulfilment in life.

From Player to Coach

By Danni Taylor • February 9, 2022
'A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.’ These words by John Wooden, American basketball coach and player, beautifully express the reason I love to coach netball. Only 13-years-old when I guided my team of Under 10’s to their first grand final, I continued to coach throughout, and beyond, my playing career. Coaching has taught me so much - at every age and every stage.

The Wellbeing Cycle

By Danni Taylor • February 8, 2022
In our current climate, we are all conscious of the need for positive ‘wellbeing’. But what does that really mean? Defined by the Oxford Dictionary as ‘the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy’, it’s an almost mythical state we strive to attain in our day-to-day lives. But, in this Covid-19 world of lockdowns, restrictions and constant uncertainty, how do we take care of our overall physical, mental, spiritual and financial wellbeing?

Just Start

By Danni Taylor • February 5, 2022
Deciding to make a health change in your life is never easy. Breaking old habits and starting new ones is challenging, uncomfortable and disheartening at times. The good thing is … you have taken the first step! You have identified and acknowledged that there is something about your health or wellbeing that you wish to change. But where do you begin?

Why an Informed Sport Certification Matters

By Danni Taylor • February 3, 2022
Advancements in sports science and training techniques make it challenging for high performance athletes to find the competitive edge. When an athlete turns to supplementation, they need to be absolutely certain that there are no banned substances. Otherwise, they risk a positive drug test and potential suspension, or even a ban from their sport.

Become A High-Performance Netballer

By Danni Taylor • February 1, 2022
Do you love netball? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent hours daydreaming about what it would be like to play for the Vixens, Lightning, or even the Aussie Diamonds. Running onto the court in that netball dress, being introduced to a crowd of screaming fans, and signing autographs post-game. You have likely watched your favourite player shoot a winning goal or take a game-changing intercept. Perhaps you even follow them on Instagram, idolising their glamorous life. But, behind every elite netballer are years of blood, sweat and tears. A journey of dedication, commitment and hard work that has led to their opportunity to shine. If you have a vision to become a high-performance netballer, here are some extra things you can do to elevate your game.

My Netball Story - A Bouncing Ball to A Bird

By Danni Taylor • January 30, 2022
It began in 1987. Eight-years-old and inseparable from my best friend, Jessica, I tagged along to watch her play netball at the Springvale & District courts. Hooked from that moment, I attended the U10’s training the following week; the first of many sessions that my parents drove me to over the coming years. Coached by enthusiastic teenage girls wearing Kuda Lines jackets and Rip Curl trackie pants, I was so excited every time I saw them waiting for us in the centre circle, netballs tucked under their arms. Initially, we were taught netball fundamentals – passing and catching, landing, shooting and defending - with ‘Windows’ and ‘Cut The Cake’ standard drills we ran through each session. As a tall child, the coaches positioned me in GK and GD, where I was seemingly a natural, being awarded Best & Fairest at the end of my first season. I still treasure that trophy, it’s one of the biggest I own and eight-year-old-me thought it was humongous!!

More Than Just A Business Name

By Danni Taylor • January 29, 2022
Typically, your business idea comes first. Then you need to come up with a business name. You may be inspired by your actual name, precious childhood memories, foreign words, mythology or literature. Some people create a clever acronym that suits the purpose of their business.
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