Looking for an inspiring story about fitness, mental health, and finding your place in the world? 💥 This week on David’s Saturday Night Sit Back, I’m joined by Daneeka Holt, Membership Experience Supervisor at Onnit Gym in Austin, TX.
From cartwheel mishaps to deep conversations about identity, depression, and chosen family, Daneeka shares how fitness and community helped her grow stronger—inside and out. Whether you're into wellness, sobriety, or just love a good comeback story, this episode is for you.
🎧 Timestamps & Highlights:
(0:00) – The power of community-based workouts—even for solo gym rats
(15:00) – More female coaches in fitness + Daneeka’s broken ankle cartwheel fail 🤕
(22:00) – A raw take on prison, community, and empathy
(29:00) – Her dramatic beginnings: 5-year-old Daneeka had main character energy 🎭
(42:00) – Why she left San Francisco to start over in Austin
(48:00) – “Be strong”: How a Samoan phrase helped her through depression, grief & big life changes
(59:00) – Daneeka’s thoughts on personal safety + Tim Kennedy’s Sheepdog Response course 🐺
(1:09:00) – The one problem she’d solve in the world… and what brought her to ATX 💭
🧠 Topics: Fitness, Sobriety, Identity, Family, Healing, Mental Health
🔑 Fitness and sobriety podcast, Austin fitness scene, overcoming depression, female fitness leaders, community healing, young adult podcast USA
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