Meet Danielle Campo

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Danielle Campo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from several key aspects of my life.
First, being diagnosed with a disability at the young age of two years old. Living in a body that was riddled with pain and always having to advocate for my needs and find my own way to achieve my goals has played a central role in shaping my resilience. Growing up and navigating life with a disability has presented unique challenges that required me to develop strength, adaptability, and determination. These experiences have taught me to approach obstacles with creativity and persistence, helping me develop a mindset of overcoming adversity. My accomplishments as a Paralympic medalist are a testament to that resilience, proving that I never let limitations define me but instead used them as fuel to excel.

As a Paralympic gold medalist and world record holder. It instilled a sense of perseverance, discipline, and mental strength. Overcoming the physical and emotional challenges of training and competition built up a deep well of resilience.

After the birth of my third child Morgan. I experienced significant health issues including your near-death experience and battle with Sepisis. My resilience came from the power of connection with others and using the tools I had gained from every adversity I had ever faced before this experience.

My resilience comes from my ability to juggle being a mother while navigating the complexities of my career, demonstrating immense inner strength. My work in mental health and as a motivational speaker shows my commitment to turning obstacles into opportunities and sharing those lessons with others.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My story is one of resilience, determination, and transformation. Born with muscular dystrophy, I have faced physical challenges early on, yet my indomitable spirit pushed me to achieve remarkable things. As a Paralympic medalist, I have proved that limits are only what we set for ourselves, winning medals for Canada and inspiring countless people with my athletic achievements.
However, my journey wasn’t just about physical triumphs—it’s about my ability to navigate life’s toughest moments. After a near-death experience following the birth of my daughter Morgan, my life changed once again. This pivotal moment, along with my experiences as a mother, wife, and woman living with a disability, deepened my understanding of resilience and sparked my passion for helping others.
Now, as an award-winning speaker, mental health advocate, and expert on resiliency, I have dedicate my life to sharing mystory to empower others. I guide people in the corporate world and beyond on how to turn obstacles into opportunities, embracing adversity to thrive. As a mental health lead with the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board, I also champion the well-being of staff and students, focusing on providing mental health support, promoting wellness, and advocating for equity and diversity.
My journey has shaped my purpose: helping others discover their strength, face their challenges, and achieve their “gold medal moments.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are resilience, adaptability, and self-advocacy.
Resilience was crucial. There were countless moments when things felt insurmountable, whether in my athletic career, as a person with a disability, or even as a mom facing life-threatening challenges. The ability to keep going when it seemed easier to give up is what shaped much of my success. My advice to those starting their journey is to build resilience by embracing setbacks. Don’t see them as failures—view them as opportunities to grow stronger. Every challenge is a chance to show yourself what you’re capable of.
Adaptability was another key factor. Life doesn’t always go according to plan, and being able to shift gears without losing sight of your goals is invaluable. Whether it was training as a Paralympian, raising a family, or navigating health crises, being open to change allowed me to continue moving forward. For anyone early in their journey, I’d encourage you to focus on staying flexible. Don’t be rigid with your expectations; instead, be willing to adjust and evolve as life changes around you. It’s that ability to pivot that will keep you on track.
Finally, self-advocacy played a huge role. Understanding my own needs and not being afraid to speak up—whether about my health, my career, or my personal boundaries—allowed me to take control of my life. I didn’t wait for someone else to recognize what I needed. If you’re just starting out, remember that no one knows your needs better than you. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself, whether in the workplace, your personal life, or when pursuing your goals. The earlier you can develop this skill, the more empowered you’ll feel.
These qualities didn’t come overnight, and they take time and practice to develop. Be patient with yourself, stay focused, and keep pushing forward—you’ll surprise yourself with how far you can go.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

Recently discovering that my two youngest children have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, the same neuromuscular disorder I have, has been one of the most challenging moments of my life. As someone who has lived with this condition and knows the obstacles it can present, it’s heartbreaking to think that my kids will now have to face similar challenges. It’s been a shift in perspective—going from being a person with a disability to a parent of children with disabilities. It feels different when you’re not just the one navigating it, but now you’re guiding two little souls through the same journey.
Of course, I’m sad about the diagnosis. There’s no denying the weight of that reality. But I also know from my own experience that this diagnosis doesn’t define them, just like it hasn’t defined me. As much as it’s difficult, I’m stepping into this new role with the same warrior mentality that’s gotten me through so much already. My mission now is to instill in them the same resilience I’ve had to develop, to show them that obstacles are meant to be overcome, disability or not.
I want my children to know that while the world may have certain expectations or limitations for people with disabilities, they can break through them. Their lives will be full of possibilities, not just because of medical advances or support systems, but because they’ll have the mindset and strength to face whatever comes their way. This isn’t the path I would have chosen for them, but it’s the one we’re on—and I’m going to make sure they see their own power and potential every step of the way. We will move forward, together, as a family of warriors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daniellecampo.com
• Instagram: thedaniellecampo
• Facebook: thedaniellecampo
• Linkedin: thedaniellecampo
• Youtube: thecampodanielle