Meet Lindsay Danielson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Danielson.

Lindsay, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Embalming was my first professional passion. I always knew I wanted to give back uniquely but I didn’t know what that looked like for me until my early 20’s. You may be thinking, why embalming?! Well, unexpectedly, death became a part of my life when I was 13 after my father was killed in a motorcycle accident. As you can expect, it ripped my life apart.

When I mustered up the courage to see him before his cremation, what I thought would be traumatizing became a moment of comfort and curiosity. This curiosity evolved into me dreaming of becoming a therapist to help other youngsters who lost a parent. The idea of therapy evolved into more of the medical side of pathology, which later sparked my interest in embalming. And as they say, the rest is history.

Since entering the funeral industry almost 13 years ago, I have worked in various roles including ten years of leading several crematories, embalming, and decedent removal teams. My contribution as a leader, paired with my passion for personal development evolved into my desire to help others develop themselves on a deeper level.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My biggest challenge during this transition and all others in my life is getting the hell out of my way. Like many, I use to feel most comfortable where I felt like the expert. Although I knew I wanted to be a life and leadership coach. When the time came to take on the new job title, the doubts came flooding in. Especially, the thoughts of “what are people going to think?” “Will, anyone takes this seriously?”

What I thought was oddly terrifying were introductions to new people. This was because I didn’t FEEL like the expert yet and what is one of the first questions people ask when they meet someone? “What do you do?” I was always tempted and sometimes gave in to the urge to talk about my funeral career.

I was always known as the “funeral chick” or “mortician” and that was interesting for many people, and truthfully, my ego liked it too. So for me, being comfortable and talking about my new dream and mission took time. Once I got out of my way (my coaching required) I became more confident in embracing and sharing this part of me and my professional journey. Once this “new identity” matched my inner passion, the more pieces started to click and the momentum grew.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
What I offer is not about me, it is about the client and guiding them to move past their bullshit so they can gain momentum and ultimately achieve what is most valuable them. Although the majority of my time is coaching leaders in the funeral industry, I continue to work with and take on private clients. My style is a unique blend of coaching and mentoring with a dash of tough love to lock in the most important piece of the client and coach partnership, accountability.

In addition to working with me one-on-one. You can get some amazing and free life coaching from myself and my co-host Jena on our podcast, The Art Of Getting Your Sh*t Together (TAGYST). Jena and I stated TAGYST because of the constant demands to shift in life and business. We wanted to create an impactful platform of real talk, expert advice and actionable steps to help others live their passion filled the purpose.

What were you like growing up?
I was a good kid and grew to be a some-what angry and rebellious teenager. Growing up as an only child I was always very independent, got a job as soon as I could and moved out of my senior year of high school. I was on a mission to create a life I loved! I partied my ass off and worked hard on the job and my education. I LOVE to learn! I have also always been passionate about getting out into nature, especially the forest landscape. If I could choose any particular hobby and/or pass-time it would be snowboarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lindsaydanielson.com
• Phone: 480-268-6479
• Email: coach@lindsaydanielson.com

Image Credit:
Hannah Gray Photography
Vikki Colvin

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