We were lucky to catch up with Leah Danley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

After 26 years as a licensed therapist working in a traditional counseling setting, I took what felt like one of the biggest risks of my life—starting Quiet Mind Collective as an online presence. I wasn’t raised with social media, so stepping into a public space felt foreign and overwhelming. There were barriers everywhere: technology I didn’t understand, ethical boundaries to navigate as a therapist, and the deep vulnerability of sharing my heart so openly. I’ve invested far more time and money than I’ve ever made from it—hiring two VAs, creating content, and offering just one small course while giving most everything away for free.

The real turning point came when I realized I was tired of living at the mercy of my own fearful mind—the voice that said, You can’t do this, you’ll be judged. I wanted to stop letting fear lead and start practicing what I’d spent years teaching others: listening to my heart instead of my conditioning. I decided to create Quiet Mind Collective as both a personal practice and a way to serve. I don’t have an end goal other than to be used as a voice of love and light in the world, to share what I most need to hear myself, and to trust that those who resonate will find it.

I’m still learning and far from where I hope to be, but I’ve grown immensely. My following has slowly increased, yet the real growth has been internal. I’ve learned that courage is built in action, that vulnerability can coexist with professionalism, and that when you follow your heart—even when it’s trembling—you become the living example of what you teach.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a licensed therapist and registered dietitian who has spent over 26 years helping people navigate anxiety, trauma, and emotional pain. After decades of traditional therapy work, I felt called to create something that allowed for a deeper integration of the psychological, somatic, and spiritual aspects of healing. That’s how Quiet Mind Collective was born — a space to help people quiet their busy minds, regulate their nervous systems, and return to the truth of who they are, beyond fear, trauma, and old stories.

Through Quiet Mind Collective, I offer a self-paced online course called Fearless and Free Foundations, along with a free monthly newsletter that includes video teachings, guided practices, and my Quiet Mind Self-Discovery Process — a simple set of reflective questions that help people move through emotional triggers with awareness and compassion. When someone joins the newsletter, they also receive a free Quiet Mind Reset Meditation and my Feeling Awareness Sheet to support emotional understanding and self-regulation.

My approach blends the science of trauma-informed therapy with the wisdom of spiritual integration and somatic awareness. I often say, “I’m not interested in rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.” Healing, to me, isn’t about polishing the ego’s story — it’s about remembering the part of us that’s never been broken. I use grounding, breathwork, body-based regulation tools, and heart-based presence to help people experience peace that’s deeper than thought.

Each month, I host a live session on Instagram, where I teach on topics like conscious relationships, authenticity, victim mentality, and the masks we wear. These conversations are open to anyone and create a sense of community and reflection. What I’m most proud of is having the courage to show up — to keep learning, creating, and letting this work grow in its own organic way. Quiet Mind Collective isn’t just a business for me; it’s an unfolding practice in listening to the heart and being used as a voice of love in the world.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first started Quiet Mind Collective, I was stepping into completely new territory — building an online presence after more than two decades of traditional therapy work. There was so much I didn’t know: the technology, the equipment, even how to record a live without something falling over. There’s a reel on my feed where my iPad actually slips mid-conversation — and I just laugh, pick it up, and keep going. That moment sums up a lot of this journey for me: life is messy, and sometimes the most resilient thing we can do is keep showing up with grace and humor.

Another moment that stands out happened early on, when someone commented, “You suck because you asked for money.” It hit hard and activated old triggers around guilt, scarcity, and the belief that I didn’t have the right to receive. I hadn’t even asked for money — I had simply shared a small $47 course. But instead of reacting, I paused and let the experience become part of my own practice. I breathed through the discomfort and recognized that this was an opportunity to meet both myself and that person with compassion.

Resilience, for me, isn’t about pushing through or pretending things don’t hurt. It’s about staying present with what arises — fear, shame, criticism, even a toppled iPad — and remembering that I can return to my heart in the middle of it all. I’ve learned that every challenge is an invitation to embody the very teachings I share: to soften, to stay curious, and to keep walking forward with love.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training or credentials, I believe the most important ingredient for success in this field is embodiment — living what you teach. Knowledge is valuable, but transformation happens through presence. People can sense authenticity, and they’re drawn to those who are practicing the same principles they share.

In my own journey, that means being transparent about the human side of growth — the fear, the self-doubt, the learning curve. It means grounding before responding, taking care of my nervous system, and remembering that love and compassion are more powerful than strategy. The world doesn’t need more polished perfection; it needs more real people showing up with heart and integrity.

For anyone in the helping or healing space, I’d say this: your own self-awareness is your greatest tool. Keep doing your inner work. Stay curious. Let your own evolution be the message. When you live from that quiet, grounded place inside, success naturally becomes a byproduct of service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.quietmindcollective.com
• Instagram: quietmindcollectivewithleah
• Facebook: Quiet Mind Collective
• Youtube: Quiet Mind Collective with Leah
• Other: offerings
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  https://linktr.ee/quietmindcollective