DIET | DETECTIVE^®

Karen S. Danner teaches Mindfulness at Arizona State University.  She is the founder of Love Yourself Well, a wellness education and promotion company. Karen is a nationally published freelance writer and author of Life Moves, a revolutionary approach to exercise integration and she lectures nationally on lifestyle integration and stress management.

Name: Karen S. Danner

Birthday: July 7

Location: Chandler AZ

Q: Tell us how you got to where you are now. 

A: I was an H.R. director for 8 years and loved the counseling and coaching aspect of my job.  I was going to school part-time for an exercise and wellness degree during that time.  Upon graduation I decided to combine my love of coaching and wellness to become a Wellness educator…which I do through coaching, lecturing and writing.  I am a free-lance writer, have written a book, have a private practice and teach Mindfulness at ASU.

Q: Define and discuss failure. 

A:Failure is a state of mind or mental atmosphere of lack.  We are always creating what we experience and if failure is our experience it is because that is how we see ourselves.  Nothing is a failure unless we have a belief that supports the mental atmosphere of failure.

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you've changed your mind about in the last 20 years? 

A: My belief system, which affected everything.  Going from an external reference system to an internal reference system has opened my life to more joy and enjoyment than I ever thought possible.

Q: What's the next major item on your "to-do" list? 

A: To learn to play guitar and write a creative fiction piece.

Q: Define individual responsibility and how you react to adverse situations. 

A: Individual responsibility is simply choosing how you respond to the world around you.  In adverse situations I always affirm that there is a solution and some how things simply fit…I know there is a “Yes” and I leave myself open to the possibilities.

Q: When do you have time to think about your mistakes, mishaps, achievements and minor victories; in other words, do you have any reflective time for yourself of your career? 

A: Every day…it is my practice daily to forgive and express gratitude and thanksgiving.  Keeping the slate clear of the idea that things should have been different is futile and forgiveness is letting go of that idea of the past needing to be different than it was.  Gratitude and thanksgiving keeps me focused on what I want to experience more of in my life.

Q: What is your most influential story, fiction or nonfiction, from a film, book, magazine, newspaper or parable? Explain its impact on your life? What's you're favorite saying? 

A: My most favorite parable is a Native American story about two dogs…one is ferocious and the other peaceful, one hurts things and the other nurtures things.  When the wise man is asked how do you control or get rid of the vicious dog…the answer is to only feed the one that is desirable to have around.  In other words give your attention to that which you want to experience and stop feeding what you don’t want with your attention.  My favorite saying is by Rumi…”There is a field (placed) beyond right-doing and wrong-doing, I’ll meet you there.”

Q: Was there a defining moment in your life when you made a decision that changed the course of the rest of your life forever? 

A: Yes, I decided to not let my environment or circumstances control my life any more.  I decided to trust that I was on the right path even when things looked scary.

Q: What's the most bodacious chance you've ever taken? 

A: I quit my high paying job without any idea how I would support myself or what work I would be doing.

Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned about yourself? What's the biggest lesson you haven't learned? 

A: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that if I say anything about another person…it is a reflection of me, projection; therefore it is a motivation to be kind and compassionate with my thoughts and words towards myself and others.  The biggest lesson I haven’t learned…to let each person find his/her own way.  I continually get reminded to let go of other people’s journey.

Q: What keeps you going (your motivation)? 

A: The joy I feel when I am balanced and harmonious.  I have a solid footing on the feeling of well-being and I use that as my motivation.

Q: On those days when you're not motivated to work out, but you know you have to, what's the one thought that gets you going? 

A: That I am divinely inspired to take care of my body and my resistance is my unwillingness to take time for myself.

Q: If you had to choose a specific song or band to get you psyched for your workout, what would it be? 

A: I like to play anything 70’s which is either old rock and roll or disco.

Q: If you could eat one forbidden food whenever you wanted without gaining weight, what would it be? 

A: Pepsi

Q: What dessert do you dream about? 

A: Fresh fruit pie

Q: If there were one healthy food item (something you love) that you had to eat every day, what would it be? 

A: Apples

Q: What is the one food or meal you always eat before an event? What about before training? 

A: Before an event or training, I eat a nutrition bar filled with coconut and chia seeds

Q: What’s the best book about health that you’ve read? 

A: Deepak Chopra – Creating Perfect Health

Q: What are your two favorite health magazines? 

A: American Fitness; Spirituality and Health

Q: What do you consider the world’s most perfect food? Please be specific and try not to answer with a category but rather with a specific food item: for example, not “whole grain” but “raisin bran cereal”? 

A: Broccoli

Q: Do you have any sports superstitions or rituals? 

A: I run and good music is my ritual.

Q: How do you take total control of your mind and body to achieve the focus you need during pivotal sports moments? 

A: I practice pivotal sports moments before I even engage in the sport or event.  I am conditioned mentally to respond in a successful way.

Question: What do you think is the best training location in the world? 

A: Arizona

Q: What do you do to reduce stress/relax/center your mind? Do you participate in an organized relaxation activity such as yoga, meditation or tai chi? 

A: I pray, journal and meditate daily.  I practice Yoga three times each week.  I have just started tai chi.

Q: Are there healthy restaurants that you enjoy and would recommend? 

A: Any restaurant that promotes organic food on their menu.

Q: Do you have a favorite healthy recipe or cooking tip? If so would you share it? 

A: Eat as close to natural as possible and use spices to liven up any dish.  Experimentation or personal recommendations with spices are the best.

Q: Do you have a Calorie Bargain? What food did it replace? Was that an important food in your diet, since you ate it so often?

A: I often ate chips or munchie food and replaced it with a nutrition bar that is coconut and chia seeds.  It met my nutritional needs and my desire to fuel up in between meals.  Also, it is sweet, so it takes the place of any dessert I may have wanted.  Also, I drink a nutrition shake that took the place of ice cream.  I am completely satisfied and love the idea that I can have dessert, and it is healthy.

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