Social worker, Freelance Content WRiter, Future Psychotherapist, Yogi, Surfer, Popoyo, Nicaragua

Ms. Daniela Stucki earned my respect five minutes into our chat. She learned about the Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24th 2022, while on an extended surf/work adventure in Nicaragua. Upon learning about the influx of Ukrainian refugees into Europe Ms. Stucki immediately decided to give up her Austrian room/apartment to a stranger, a Ukrainian mother 9,775 km away in Vienna. “It was standing empty and I believe that it’s our duty to help others in need”. I had to know more about this generous human. Unfortunately, Daniela and I would have plenty of time for that. Two days after we met, Ms. Stucki twisted and broke her foot while surfing. These photos of the stunning Daniela were taken while she was hopping gracefully on crutches and smiling through the extreme pain and discomfort. The more I learned the more impressed I became.

1. Name

Daniela Stucki.

2. Where is your hometown?

Bischofshofen near Salzburg, but I live in Vienna.

3. What is your profession/career/title/self-label/designation? What does your average day look like?

I guess I play many roles in my life: I’m a social worker, freelance content writer, future psychotherapist and yogi.

I don’t really have an average day, because my schedule changes daily. I work in a home care facility for traumatized children. We always have different shifts, including 24-36 hour-long duties, which are changing weekly.

I always try to have my yoga routine in the morning. I’m dedicated to Ashtanga Yoga and I love to get up early and use the morning silence for introspection in the form of meditation, pranayama and asana. If I’m not at work, I also love to spend some time in nature, as I live next to the forest and have some quality time with my house mates, having a chat and some soy café latte in the kitchen or at least spend some time in the garden together.

4. What did you study in school?

I studied at the University of Graz in Austria. I graduated in educational science, sociology and inclusive education. After a break of two years filled with travelling and working, I started with my second Master in Psychotherapy, which is still ongoing.

5. What was the journey like to get where you are (in life and career-wise)? Write about some of the achievements that you are most proud of. What was the moment for you that changed your life (in your personal life and/or career?) that set you on the current path in life?

I already did a lot of varied things in my life, which means I’m very flexible and interested in learning new skills. First I graduated from a college of tourism and I worked through (and financed) all my studies as a waitress, which I really loved.

Between college and university, I had the chance to work as a department manager in a furniture store, where I was leading a team of eight to ten wonderful women. I am really proud of this, because this was at the age of 18 and I gained a lot of knowledge about myself and others. At this point I read a book of the psychotherapist and psychiatrist Victor Frankl, who developed a therapy method after he was deported to different concentration camps during II. World War. I felt really inspired because of his strong, brilliant and empathetic personality, so I decided to study social sciences and afterwards psychotherapy.

I’d say, this was the first moment, which directed my path career-wise. In my second year of university, I met many young and motivated activists and members of the students associations; they became my best friends and gave me a push into political topics. This newly acquired view completely changed my approach to studying and working. I participated some political organizations e.g. to improve the University system and raise awareness for antifascism and the climate change through protests and actions. These actions made me even more sensitized about the political importance of social work.

Now I work for an organization where we offer a second home for traumatized kids. It’s a beautiful profession in which I learn a lot about patience, compassion, unconditional sharing but also about setting boundaries. Of course it’s intense sometimes, because as a social worker you serve often as kind of a friction surface for the kids and their parents; conflicts manifest very often. But at the end of the day I’m very grateful for being in this field.

During my travelling (as I’ve been abroad now since November 2021 surfing, exploring and learning Spanish) I work as a freelance content writer, helping create homepages and ads. I also help people with their university papers with proof reading, citation and research.

The next step is to open my own practice for psychotherapy. This will probably happen in 2023. Stay tuned!

6. How is your life different from what you pictured at 20?

I’d say I never believed I would be living such an unconventional life. I was raised in a small town in the countryside of Austria. There weren’t many examples of alternative lifestyles. Back in the day I tried to participate in the “countryside society game” with all the attached expectations and pressure but I never felt comfortable.

As I moved to Graz, Austria for studying I changed my approach to life completely. I got more and more aware of my privilege, dove deeper into activism and communal values like solidarity, sustainability and resistance. Now I live in a big shared house with nine wonderful people, where we share our food, grow our own veggies and support each other. At the moment we’ve decided to use the empty rooms in our house for people in need, so we host refugees escaping the war in Ukraine and provide a safe space for these women.

7. Was there a time when life knocked you down or out and how did you get back up on your feet?

The years from 2018-2021 were a bit intense for me. In 2018/2019 I had some traumatizing experiences while I spent a lot of time in India and Indonesia. The outcome was a panic disorder and it lasted for quite a while. Also the pandemic hit me hard at some point. As there were many things coming together, I fell into a depressive episode. I’m still not completely back on track but especially in the last year I started with a lot of selfcare, did a lot of yoga, surfing and the most important thing for me: I started my own journey of psychotherapy.

8. Advice for other women?

I’d love to invite you to see yourself through the perspective of a person who truly loves you. Can you see how gorgeous and striking you are? Please keep that in mind. Trust yourself and your intuition.

9. Knowing what we know now in a current political climate, can women be "all that we can be" in today's world? What is the way forward, as you see it, for "feminist values"?

My approach in feminism is to lift each other up. I wish for us to be more compassionate toward each other, shift our perspective to intersectional problems and discrimination, be even more supportive, build up communities and platforms for strong resistance.

Feminism for me also means to provide a good life for every human beings. This includes things like standing up and speaking up for others, acting for the sake of climate justice, fighting exploitation through consumer choices, being aware of our privileges and much more.

It’s sometimes really hard to push forward and set actions on a personal level especially in the leading patriarchal and capitalistic structures we live in. Fair enough. So it’s necessary to find a good balance between our personal effort and selfcare.

10. Where in the world do you feel “tallest” (i.e. where is your happy place)?

My favorite place in the world, where my heart truly belongs, is the beautiful ocean. It gives me that alive feeling I experience through all my senses. Being near or in the ocean also reaffirms me of being present and calm in my mind.

11.   What extracurricular activities/hobbies are you most proud of? Why?

I’m passionate about surfing, yoga, bouldering, hiking, plants, dancing and reading. I’d say I’m really proud of surfing, because years ago I was afraid of being in the ocean and this activity is the most challenging for me. What I love about surfing is the connection to the element of water, getting to know the ocean and learning to read the waves. In the ocean you need to be focused and be present every single moment. I’m so grateful for being allowed to use the elements of mother earth for such a beautiful activity.

I’m also really into dancing and music, I associate the movement of my body to embracing freedom and transformation.

12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Future goals/challenges?

My future goal is to get to know myself better and be more compassionate toward myself and people around me. This comes along with my dream of starting my own retreat center for women, where we would use psychotherapy, yoga and other healing methods to grow and embrace each other and ourselves.

13. What fears are you still hoping to overcome?

The fear of death and constant change.

14. Anything you'd do differently, if you had another go at life?

I think, I’d try to be more aware of my emotions and boundaries, because it’s really important to connect with your inner self.

15. What/who inspires you?

I get inspired by a many people I meet and situations I experience. It’s so beautiful to see and hear about women who are passionate about certain topics or activities, try to push through societal expectations and not give a f*ck about other people’s opinions. It’s very empowering to see how far we could come and how resilient, striking and resistant women can be.

16. What are you hopeful about?

I’m hopeful about a system change in the future. In my point of view, solidarity and compassion will prevail over power, greed and wealth.

17. What are some ingredients to a good life? How did the global pandemic change your perspective about the world, about your life, your goals and dreams?

Support, equality, love and compassion. As well as the ability to see and appreciate the small things, trying to live humbly.

I know I used some of these words already but again, the concept is really important to me. I guess the pandemic showed once more the inequalities in our society and it often made me sad, how unfair and rough the world is and it’s even more important now to stand up and fight.

18. What are (at least) three qualities you most love about yourself and why? What are your superpowers?

I am supportive, uplifting and able to hold a safe space. I have a bright soul, I almost always find a reason to smile and I’m easily hyped about small things. I’m also assertive and strong.

19. What advice would you give your 14-year-old self? What advice would your 14-year-old self give you in return?

I’d tell my 14-year-old-me that it’s not her fault that other people can’t see how gorgeous she is. My 14-year-old-me would be proud of how far I’ve come.

20. What are you reading now? (what books do you gift most and what are your favourite reads?)

I just started to read “The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself” by Michael Alan Singer. Another book I really recommend is “Come As You Are, the Science About Female Pleasure” by Emily Nagoski. I mostly read books about feminism. My best friend and I started a book club two years ago, we love reading the same books and discussing them afterwards.

21. Who is a WOW WOMAN in your world who inspires you and why? Can you nominate three (or more) women you know who perfectly fit WOW WOMAN description? What would you tell them, if you had an opportunity, about why you admire them?

I’m in general very impressed by the female power, so I’d say that every woman is a WOW Woman. I appreciate every single, even the smallest, action which makes the world a little better. If I could, I’d like to nominate a few of my beloved friends. The first is my wonderful friend and a climate activist Sarah. Second is my better half Chiara for being so damn resilient. Thirdly, Julia for her stunning empathy. Fourth is my lovely sister Alex for her loyalty. Then Hannah for her supportive soul. I also want to mention Lisa and Iris, two brave and strong warriors. And of course I wanna nominate you dear Olga, because you are damn inspiring!

22. Where can others find you/your work (links to websites, blogs, etc.)?

My work is not online. But feel free to hit me up via e-mail or on insta: @daniela_stucki

Bonus Quick Round Qs:

1. What and who is worth suffering for? For my beloved ones and for surfing.

2. What would you do if you knew that nobody would judge you? I would be naked all the time.

3. Who is/are your mentor/s (men or women)? People I meet in my daily life.

4. If you didn't have to work anymore what would you do with your days? Surfing, learning new languages and community care.

5. If you could be anyone for a day who would you be? I can’t really decide. Probably a mix of Anna Gasser, Imogen Caldwell and Angela Davis.

6. If you could relive one year in your life, which one would it be? I think I’d love to relive the year 2018.

7. What bothers you most about other people? What do you love most about other people? People who never stop talking and can’t be empathetic. I love a sincere person with a good sense of humour. I also love the feeling of solidarity with another human.