Aligned Ambition: The Path to Purposeful Success

Host (Maya):
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Ammora Podcast — a space where we unpack what it really means to build a business that aligns with who you are. I’m Maya, your host and business coach, and today we’re kicking off with one of my favorite topics: aligned ambition.

And I’m super excited to welcome someone whose journey really reflects that — creative strategist and purpose-driven entrepreneur, Danielle Reeve. Danielle, welcome to the show!

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Guest (Danielle):
Thank you so much, Maya! It’s an honor to be here. I love this topic and honestly, I’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, so it’s kind of surreal to be on it now!

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Maya:
That makes me so happy to hear. Okay, let’s dive in. I want to go back a few years. What did ambition look like for you before you had the word aligned in front of it?

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Danielle:
Oh wow — I love that question. For me, ambition used to be very externally driven. It was all about proving myself: hitting the next revenue milestone, getting the “right” clients, growing fast. It was achievement for the sake of achievement. And for a while, that worked. I got the six-figure years, I had a waitlist. But inside? I felt completely off.

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Maya:
That disconnect is so real. What started to shift that for you?

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Danielle:
Honestly, burnout. Like — real burnout. I remember lying on the floor of my office one Thursday, just flat-out exhausted. I’d created a business that looked great on paper but didn’t feel good to live inside. That’s when I realized my ambition wasn’t mine. It was inherited — from culture, from comparison, from old definitions of success.

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Maya:
That’s powerful. So what did redefining ambition look like for you?

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Danielle:
It started slow. I didn’t burn it all down overnight. But I began asking: what actually lights me up? What’s the impact I want to create? I took a step back from client work, did some deep identity work, and got honest about the parts of my business that felt heavy. I started saying no to projects that didn’t align and leaned into things that felt energetically expansive.

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Maya:
So beautiful. And I want to pause here, because so many of our listeners are in that tension point — they know what they don’t want anymore, but they’re not yet sure what the new path looks like.

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Danielle:
Totally. And I’d say — don’t rush clarity. Sometimes alignment unfolds over time. I didn’t have a crystal-clear vision when I started shifting. But I stayed close to what felt authentic, and that led me forward. And honestly, it brought in the kind of clients who resonate with me, not just the version I thought I had to be.

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Maya:
I love that. Was there a moment where you realized, “Okay — I’m finally building something that reflects who I really am”?

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Danielle:
Yes! I think it was during a brand strategy session with a dream client. We were sitting in my home office, sipping tea, and just talking about her values and vision. It didn’t feel like work — it felt like purpose. I walked away from that session buzzing. That’s when I realized: this is the version of ambition I’ve been chasing — one that’s deeply aligned and deeply fulfilling.

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Maya:
So good. So let me ask you this — what does “aligned ambition” mean to you now?

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Danielle:
To me, aligned ambition is about choosing goals that come from your core, not your ego. It’s not about playing small — I still have big dreams! But they’re rooted in what actually matters to me. It’s ambition with integrity. It’s allowing your inner truth to lead the way.

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Maya:
Yes! Okay last question — for the woman listening right now who’s tired, successful on the outside, but quietly wondering if this is it… what would you say to her?

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Danielle:
I would say: your restlessness is wisdom. If something feels off, it’s worth listening. You don’t have to settle for a version of success that doesn’t feel true. Start small. Ask better questions. Get curious again. Alignment is a journey — but it’s worth every step.

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Maya:
Mic drop. Danielle, thank you so much for being here and for being such a bright light.

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Danielle:
Thank you, Maya. This was such a nourishing conversation.

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Maya:
Alright folks — that’s it for this episode. If you loved this conversation, share it with someone who’s on their own path to purpose. And as always, keep building boldly, and we’ll see you next week on the Ammora Podcast.

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