About Me
My name is Danielle Thanh Truc Duong. Thanh Truc means Green Bamboo in Vietnamese. Bamboo forests stand tall in strength and resilience, yet they sway gracefully, bending with the winds.
Through my own regeneration, I’ve come into a deeper embodiment of these bamboo qualities and have grown more agile with the ever changing winds of my own life.
For a long time, the winds in my life were blowing in just one direction, a straight path forward. All the choices I made were to keep me from fluttering off course. I tried with great effort to keep myself valuable, worthy, secure, and loved by others. It became a relentless pursuit to control life so I would never be abandoned. It kept me small and fearful and turned me away from my own needs. I was the dutiful one and the rock for everyone but myself. I was constantly anxious and dissociated without knowing so. From an early age, I disconnected from my body and neglected my heart. I was far away from embodying the qualities needed to live a free and joyful life. Eventually, I couldn’t recognize the person I saw in the mirror everyday.
When things became unbearable, something deep within started calling me. I could no longer ignore it. I found my way to a yearlong mindfulness program where I learned how to breathe deeply for the first time. I had been desperately longing for safety, belonging, and connection, within myself and with others. This community offered a peaceful refuge where I could come and see my whole self with greater gentleness. A more tender relationship with my inner world began to blossom.
As I softened within, the heavy layers of conditioning, false beliefs, and unhealthy behaviors started peeling away. Things in my life started to shift. I could hear my own voice for the first time and began seeing my life more clearly. I found the strength to feel my own suffering which gave me the courage to leave my marriage and corporate career. I gave myself the gifts of spaciousness, stillness, and silence and dedicated a year to the practice of generosity. In this time, I slowly arrived home to myself, to a deeper inner peace, and to the service of integral coaching.
Insight Arising Heartmind is my Buddhist name, an aspirational call-to-action by one of my dear teachers. The name is an invitation to live with a tender heart and a clear mind so that whatever is most present may freely emerge and guide the flow of life in each moment. This name is my north star and my sacred purpose in this lifetime. It is my reason for being here with you.
Guiding Values
Abundance
Connection
Compassion
Collaboration
Mystery
Impermanence
Transparency
Inclusion
Presence
Freedom
A Bit More About Me
I am the youngest daughter of four children to refugees of the Vietnam War. My siblings are 15-18 years older than me. I grew up like an only child with five parents of varying personalities and styles! My family experience has significantly shaped my personhood. Uncovering the intergenerational trauma of my ancestral lineage has been a gift of healing and wonder.
I picked up skipping rope as a hobby during the pandemic. I love learning tricks and challenging the mind-body coordination!
I am a youthful old soul. I love quiet time, reading all kinds of books and writing stories. Yet I also enjoy being surrounded by others, eating delicious foods with good sauces, and laughing at good dry humor.
My place of refuge is in the mountains. As a nature lover, I’m an avid backpacker and have hiked the beautiful back countries of the Sierra Nevada, Trinity Alps, Canadian Rockies, and Patagonia. I love laying under the moon and stars. My dream is to hike the John Muir Trail.
I’m a Leo with Scorpio Rising and Gemini Moon. I’m an enneagram 2w1 and ESFJ.
Official Bio
Danny T. Duong is a certified Integral Coach and mindfulness facilitator. Danny blends curiosity, insight, and use of meditation and somatic tools to support the facilitation of positive and sustainable change for individuals, teams, organizations, and communities. Her work is grounded in contemplative practice and earth-based spirituality. In 2019, she made a humbling vow to walk the path of an aspiring Bodhisattva which informs her intention to help in the relief of suffering for all living beings. Danny is certified through New Ventures West, an ICF accredited program and holds Master’s degrees in Public Health and Public Policy. Her professional and leadership experiences span across non-profit development, healthcare operations consulting, politics, public policy, and government affairs. She is a graduate of the Braided Wisdom Leadership Training Program and co-host of the Asian Heart Mind Body Collective Podcast.
From My Writing
Photo by Marek Okon
Well, actually, that’s not true. I have been dating! I’ve been in a fully committed relationship with myself.