Rave Reviews

“Working with Dani is like crossing the line running the NYC marathon.  I came to Dani for what began as a career exploration that immediately transformed into a life quest for better intimacy with my husband, exploring my own creativity, and committing to a life I value.

Within three months, I landed a 6 figure job (in this challenging economy), including the Mac laptop I desired, dramatically improved my relationship with my husband and self (the most profound element of our work together), took a vacation on principal rather than finances (it was more romantic than our Honeymoon!), and inspired my husband and I to launch our own jewelry line – and, in general, just came ‘unstuck.’

If you’re a bright person but caught up in the fault lines of your life, I can’t recommend Dani enough. She brings humor, candidness and conviction to the relationship. She makes personal growth simplistically evolutionary.  She lets you just be you.  But she also beckons the dreams you’re afraid to say aloud much less pursue. She aids you in envisioning and realizing the person you want to be.

Dani saved me from completely imploding.  I just didn’t know how to bring balance, symmetry and femininity to my new marriage, demanding career and personal aspirations. And, although my husband has never met her, he thinks she’s a Wizard!

She’ll make you work but she’ll lead you to what you want out of your life, no joke. I’ve never been happier.” ~V.B., Director of Client Relations, Global Design Studio – Los Angeles, CA

“Working with Dani is like an emotional full-body massage. She has a gift for subtly coaxing the best version of me out of it’s protective shell, and what’s more, she somehow, magically, let’s ME find the answers myself – which is the only way a hard-headed, stubborn person like me can get anywhere.

My life is very full and the work I do requires constant travel and yet I am able to stay grounded and focused – and I attribute it all to the grounding nature of the work with Dani. Additionally, she has helped me clarify my largest – most ‘frightening’! – life goals and absolutely miraculous opportunities have materialized over the course of just a few months working with her.

Working with Dani has given me new eyes and a new perspective on my life. Our life coaching sessions give me a structure through which I understand my life, which enables me to focus and feel clearly, regardless of circumstances. During our sessions I can literally feel Dani’s positive energy creating space for me to process my emotions and struggles. Thank you, Dani, for all that you have given me and I look forward to all that’s to come!” ~Seneca Miller, Artist/Community Organizer and Educator – Phoenix, AZ

“Dani helped me get out of my own way – which sounds unnecessary until you realize that you’re stuck. I’d known her for years in the neighborhood and she’d always said, “Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today”. But, being stubborn, I put it off. And then I saw her magic first-hand when my husband started working with her and I watched him make so many of the changes that he’d been talking and lamenting about for years, and in a matter of a few short months – it was astounding.  So I took a chance.

For starters, I am just so much happier! My work life is more fulfilling, I’m also now volunteering with rescue animals – a crusade near and dear to my heart. I’m enjoying my family and friendships like never before, and I am diligently working on a novel that was buried deep inside me and that, before, was only a pipe dream. And, last, but not least, we’re moving to Southern California, a dream I didn’t even know I had until this process began!

Working with Dani is like having an angel on your shoulder, nice and gentle – she makes you see for yourself where you need to go. I’m telling you it’s nothing short of magic – so take her advice and mine, “Don’t put off tomorrow….” ~Amy S., Sr. Program Officer, UNICEF – Brooklyn, NY

“Prior to meeting Dani, my pain and resignation was so great I approached life as a hardship to navigate – using anything to manage or escape the predicament of being alive. To be honest, I contacted Dani because the first coaching call was free and I could then tell my friend I had followed her recommendation and given it a try – zero risk, brownie points.

What I didn’t know was that a gift was offered to me through Dani; the gift of creating a life I love. The process involves discovery and creation – recognizing how my thoughts, and my chosen actions based off the thoughts, impact my life and the lives of those around me. That which works or hasn’t worked gets exposed then I can create new possibilities and take action from that place of power and intention.

In less than a year and a half, Dani empowered me to discover my personal truth and create a life I am grateful for and blessed to experience. I am eternally grateful for the recommendation I was given, the generosity of that first free coaching call, the risk I took in giving myself the gift of coaching, and most profoundly for Dani’s pure commitment and ability to call forth all that I honor in life.  My recommendation of Dani is my wish for you to have all that I have gotten.” ~Kristopher G. – San Francisco, CA

“I don’t particularly believe in anything. I tried therapy once and, upon the decision to spend my hard-earned money on therapy or not, I opted to not. As I have been pursuing my career, living in NYC, and struggling to make ends meet, I run into Dani Rukin. “Wanna try Life Coaching?” she suggests. I thought, “Why not, I am unemployed and still fat” (but still had reservations). After the first meeting, I was sucked in. And as we’ve been working together (for 6 months) I have found Strength where I didn’t know I had it, Determination that had been sleeping, and a desire for a better life that I kept hidden under a lifetime of self-deprecation and an inability to verbalize openly until I started working with Dani.

She is an excellent coach who has given me many tools to begin the process of unearthing so much of what has been lost to my own self. She has an ability to reflect what it is that I need to hear and gives the perfect amount of push and pull and, for me, what has been nothing but fulfilling and the beginning of a life-changing process. I can whole-heartedly say, I believe in Dani Rukin!” ~Julie Goldman, Comedian-Actress/Entertainment Mogul -  Los Angeles, CA

Dani is full of life and love. She has an uncanny ability to see the best in her clients – and challenge them to live at that very best in every area of their life. As Dani’s client for over a year, I’ve reached heights and goals that make even my own jaw drop. And the thing is, with Dani as my coach, I know this is just the beginning. ~Adrienne Coleon, Aveda, Director of Global Communications – Manhattan, NY

“At a crucial crossroads in my career, Dani provided exactly the help that I was looking for. Her experience and advice empowered me to negotiate the higher salary and title that I deserved. I’ve gained new perspectives, thanks to Dani, and find myself at ease in intimidating situations. Dani’s guidance not only helps solve short term goals, but provides a long-lasting foundation that I know will influence future ‘big decisions’.” ~David Bratton, Senior Web Producer, MTV – Manhattan, NY

“There are so many things I appreciate about working with Dani as a life coach!  She is a stellar example of a great and ever-evolving human being. She is warm, caring, and genuinely loves what she does. She is passionate about her work and that enthusiasm permeates our sessions.

I like and admire how she integrates so many different perspectives, approaches, tools, philosophies and strategies, from her vast experience and knowledge, into our work together and she asks the hard questions. I take “key notes” during our sessions and go back and really try to think through the inquiries that she brings up for me. She helps me see myself from different perspectives and can expertly balance soft and tough love. She has a great sense of humor and is good at helping me laugh at myself – an all-important need! As well, she is skillful and adept at integrating references and suggestions of “outside work” for me to pursue if I wish.

Coaching has been very helpful to me in terms of appreciating what I have now and looking forward and committing (and re-committing!) to changing the things I can, in order to have the life I want – and better accepting the things I can’t change. Coaching with Dani has helped me take responsibility for my happiness and well-being – an empowering, and sometimes onerous, challenge!

I am now realizing that my life is about facing the endless challenges with courage and grace – and turning them all into opportunities for learning, growth, and self-improvement. What I am gradually absorbing from Dani through our continued relationship is the ability to become my own coach! I am on the way….” ~Jennifer C., Senior Global Public Health Manager – Brooklyn, NY

“Dani, I want to express my appreciation for the two years you have been my coach. I have thoroughly enjoyed, benefited from, and believe in the process of coaching. You are a gifted guide and were such the right person for me to be working with. I thank you SO much for all your time and attention, close listening, reflecting, inquiring, and on and on! I have felt supported through so many changes and realizations throughout our time together and I have so many tools to continue this work on my own, at least for now!

I am looking around at my beautiful home and thinking, “would this have come to be if I hadn’t been working with Dani?”. I’m not so sure! There is so much more to say, but since I know I will hopefully work with you again – at least in your workshops, or maybe even one-on-one, or in one of your coaching groups – so I won’t really say “goodbye”, just “THANK YOU” from the core of my being for all of your help and I hope to see you soon!” ~J.B. – Brooklyn, NY

“‘What the heck do I need a coach for?  Why would I want to spend money that I think I don’t have, for someone to “tell” me what to do? After all, I am an adult and I’ve gotten this far without one.’ These are the statements that played around in my head every time some new, inexperienced “Life Coach” would approach me. What is this really – a buzzword for the decade, perhaps? I found it offensive. Then I met Dani.

What was different about her is that she didn’t pitch me, she was living life seemingly effortlessly. That’s what I wanted and I wanted to know how I too could have that so I approached her. Dani had a style of owning who she is and embracing her own greatness and that’s what I wanted in a professional setting. She understood me immediately; it was comfortable and challenging.

Within two months of working with Dani, I more than doubled my income (in the summer of  the 2010 economy!). AND, a situation that I had with someone that I erroneously believed was adversarial, turned out to be my best ally. I could not have done any of this without Dani’s professionalism and spiritual experience. I am forever grateful for her ability to see what was in front of me that I failed to see for myself.

I highly recommend Shoot for the Stars Coaching and using Dani as the brilliant co-pilot.” ~Maribel Arce, OSP Engineer – Manhattan, NY

“Dani is a miracle worker! And so wise. She has given me the positive outlet where I have been gaining a fresh, organic perspective and the motivation I have needed to break down my process and make the changes needed in order to feel more balanced and focused on my life purpose, all the while, achieving my goals along the way.

Oh, and did I mention that I’ve lost 60 pounds, have run my first race, quit my unhappy job and am going back to school to realize my lifelong dream of being a chef? It’s true! I feel excited now when I wake up and can’t wait to see how things keep on as I shape the life I really have always wanted for myself. I have found my road to fulfillment – thank you so much, Dani, for your wonderful service – I could NOT have done any of this without you!!” ~Kris Feliz, NBC Universal – Manhattan, NY

“First of all, as a direct result of working with Dani, my family, friends, colleagues and associates keep remarking how relaxed and happy I look! And, it gets better, Dani helped me learn to work through my frustrations and self-doubt so I could calmly and intentionally reach out to colleagues and associates who now have been generously helping me further my career goals, including one of my former Ivy League business school professors who began making personal introductions to highly respected business people on my behalf. As a result of all of my efforts, I recently received (and accepted!) an offer for an exciting new position that includes a 22% salary increase and involves one of my dreams: working with Chinese banks here in Manhattan – I am now going to be able to use my Mandarin which I schooled in for several years.

As well, trade association presidents are offering me speaking opportunities and I have become more active with my involvement with China and sustainable development, a long-held passion of mine which has been dormant for too long.

Coaching with Dani has allowed me to continually extend myself to people and be more engaged without resorting to my old habit of withdrawing when I encounter minor setbacks and the results have been extraordinary!” ~Michael D., Federal Reserve Bank of NY, Manhattan, NY  – Harvard Kennedy School graduate

“It’s easy to get so caught up with day-to-day responsibilities and pressures that you lose sight of your long-term goals. I’ve found working with Dani to be incredibly valuable, because she keeps me focused on what I really want my life to look like. She helps me identify the steps I need to take to get there, and keeps me moving forward on a weekly basis. Instead of just griping and dreaming, I feel like I’m actively pursuing the life that I want.” ~Louise Sloan, Editor and Writer – Brooklyn, NY

“Ironically, it was my primary physician at my annual medical exam who recommended I see Dani for coaching. I was dealing with a high level of stress and my doctor strongly suggested that I try addressing this issue by working with Dani.

Two years later, the life I have now looks nothing like the one I’d been living for so many years and I get goose bumps whenever I think about how much has changed.

When I met Dani I was engaged to be married – to the wrong guy – and I didn’t even realize it. I have now been dating a wonderful man for a year who’s so much better suited for me and someone I can see a real future with.

As well, I have been promoted twice (in this economy!) and my relationship with my boss and colleagues has improved exponentially. I take a real leadership role at work in ways that were completely foreign to me before working with Dani.

I have also gotten my own wholesale business venture off the ground, something I’d been wanting to do for years, but had stayed a pipe dream until we created a real plan that actually has taken it into a revenue-generating company. All while continuing to excel in my corporate job.

Another very significant outcome from working with Dani is my relationship with my family has gone from tolerable to fully joyful – I cannot even express my gratitude for this miraculous change.

I strongly recommend coaching with Dani for anyone whether you are excelling in life or feeling that your life could use an overhaul. There is always room for improvement and raising the bar. Working with Dani has been an amazing experience and was the best “prescription” my Dr. could have ever made!” ~R.S. Senior Sales Director, Manhattan, NY

“Dani, I just had one of the biggest agents in Hollywood contact me to let me know that he’s coming to see my show in January and I know, without a doubt, this is from your coaching.

I also want to take this opportunity to let you know that, as a result of our work together, I have had a complete breakthrough around tapping into my deepest dreams and then consciously going for it. Until now, I was letting self-created old ways of thinking and old stories run my life. Our work together has freed me to really see that anything is possible. Thank you so much for giving me the confidence and the tools to move beyond my fear-based thinking. Sincerely, thank you and god bless you!!!! ~J.S., Actress and Comedienne – Los Angeles, CA

“When I started working with Dani in January, my career was a “1” on her “1-10” satisfaction scale. Now, in December, it’s an amazing “10”! Every day I wake up excited to work on what’s been my lifelong passion while working with other talented and creative people. And, I get paid well for it and I’m being published regularly. Needless to say, we decided to create a “13”!!

Dani, your warmth and laughter, and always happy disposition, combined with your obvious expertise, has had such an impact on my life and I thank you so much for it. I look forward to working together in 2010!” ~M.C., Fashion Photographer – Manhattan, NY

“I met Dani at a party in Venice, California. She was brimming with positivism and enthusiasm and, quite frankly, my discovery that she was a life coach almost inspired me to walk away from our conversation. I typically eschew coaching of any kind outside of sports. And I’d been enjoying my therapist’s company for three years already. Who needs “coaching”?

That said, I kept her card and ultimately contacted her. Why? Because I liked her. And she seemed smart and inspired, two things I revere highly. What I found is that working with Dani is like facing yourself and declaring, “You rule.” As a people-pleaser to the ends of the earth, I was constantly enervated by codependent, needy, addictive personalities around me and was eternally fearful of speaking my mind and making my own needs clearly known. This created a ton of self-doubt and anxiety. Working with Dani in just a few months, I began to trust in my own instincts and talents and discover my self-worth in a much-needed way. I’m now writing regularly and am no longer working full-time for a succubus of an employer.

Dani is an amazingly soulful, kind, hilarious, engaged person. From our time together, I’ve become less afraid of risks, more peaceful, more self-accepting, and a significantly more grateful, happier person. She is a life-changer and I’m extremely lucky to have met her.”  ~R. Cox, writer – Venice, CA

“As a result of working with Dani, I am getting a clearer sense of my priorities in my life and of the choices that I make. She has helped me notice, in a non-judgemental way, patterns that aren’t always helpful to me as I find new ways to prioritize time for myself, my health and well-being, my relationship, and my creativity. I am experiencing the benefits of slowing down and becoming more aware of what I really want. I am also trusting myself more and I’m even stopping to appreciate things more!

Coaching with Dani has helped and empowered me to decide to quit a business that was not feeding my soul. It was a huge decision and I am very glad I made it – and I’m not sure how I would have come to this place without the coaching process to help me along.

I am so impressed with her dedication to the process of life coaching – she is so caring and thoughtful and respectful of my process. Working with Dani I feel guided yet I know that I am the one who is responsible for my own happiness. I am amazed at how far I have come in just five months.

I am so moved by this process and how any, and every, bit of my life that I want to look at is worthy of examination. And, I know that whatever my struggles or dreams, Dani will help me clarify them and support me in resolving/achieving/being the person I want to be, as I journey toward creating the life I dream of living. THANK YOU, Dani!” ~Jessica Ames, Sign Language Interpreter and Modern Dancer – Brooklyn, NY

“‘This or something better’ was the mantra Dani gave me that week. After months of searching, me and my husband had just lost out on a house we put an offer on and I was deflated. With Dani’s incredible coaching, I was reminded that when you’re tapping into the power of the Law of Attraction, it’s always this (thing, person, job, house, feeling, body) or something better. What you really want may be better than you originally visualized! Two weeks later we found the house of our dreams, that was even better – better house, location, school, neighborhood…etc. To top if off, I found my Vision Board that I created a year and a half ago with Dani’s help…yes, the house I bought is strikingly similar to the pictures on my board. From the subway tile back splash, granite counter tops, white cupboards and antique pulls to the garden eating area…I had manifested what I had created even before moving to Denver! Dani’s powerful coaching and guidance has been an extremely important force in my life!!” ~K.M., Marketing Manager – Denver, CO

“In the one year that I have been working with Dani, I have seen important changes that have subtly woven themselves into the fabric of my consciousness. One of the ways that she has been particularly skillful is by engaging with me on one of my healthiest coping strategies – that of humor. She easily picks up on the way that I use humor in my life, and comes up with feedback that can have us both in stitches, giving me even more tools to fight my sabotaging voices.

A major area of growth, and a seemingly very difficult goal that I had set for myself  that I met with Dani’s help was to finally, and for good, end an extremely destructive relationship that had caused me great pain for years. My baseline feeling, at this time in my life, is that I no longer feel that I have to accept that things/I will never change and I credit Dani for having a significant role in this genesis.” ~ A.G., Nutritionist – Brooklyn, NY

“Dani has been wonderful.  Not only has she helped me unlock my full potential, she has helped me unblock my creativity to pick up the pace with my writing again.  She has helped me see my full path as a professional writer.  I highly recommend Dani to anyone who is feeling stuck anywhere in their life.”  ~Vanessa Elaine Braud, Writer – Los Angeles, CA

“I love working with Dani. She has very lovingly helped me to get unstuck from old patterns of thought and habits of living that were producing the same old results, despite all my previous efforts. My work with Dani has helped me become aware of and manage the self-sabotaging thoughts that have been getting in the way of me taking the necessary risks to live my life fully. I feel like I know myself so much better and this has allowed me to make choices that are bringing me closer to having the things I want in my life rather than just wishing for things to be different and waiting for things to change – wishing and waiting wasn’t working!” ~Eugenia Silveira, The Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Management Group – San Francisco, CA

[Testimonial from someone I gave a complimentary sample coaching session to as a gift. Since this session, she has relocated from New York to become legal counsel in foreign affairs for Senator Lautenberg in Washington, DC - she’s ecstatic]:

“Thank you, Dani, for what was definitely my best birthday present! Meeting with you has really gotten me thinking about what I want and doing a lot of self evaluation. I’ve gotten up early every day and done yoga, reading, writing and then meditate/thought. It’s been really great – (though challenging to focus at times). I’ve definitely talked you up to lots of folks and really think you are doing great work – I will definitely keep doing so!!” ~Andi F.,  International  Women’s Right’s Advocate, Harvard Law School graduate, Washington, DC

“Dani, I cannot thank you enough for the session you did with me and the invaluable work that you do. As a professional clinical social worker in the field for over 12 years, I was so impressed with your skills: your gentle, probing manner (seems like an oxymoron and yet this is truly your gift), soothing voice, the light-hearted approach and ease with which you were able to help me pinpoint and deeply investigate the issues surrounding what seemed like a fairly straightforward and concrete problem for me: the clutter in my apartment.

I loved your ability to laugh with me as we tackled some unexpectedly painful topics that emerged, while keeping me honest and on track. And also your obvious, exuded respect for the client as the expert on his/her own feelings, motivations, etc. I noticed how this, plus your flexibility of mind and deftness of craft, enabled you to truly hear, accept, and incorporate what I had to say and respond accordingly, even to modify some of your conclusions and approaches as need arose. These things showed me the depths of your skill and selfless commitment to your client.

I also marvel at your ability to make important connections between the themes that emerged and to extract the ideas that were most useful to me in the task of helping me extricate myself from a pattern that has been long in the making. Relatedly, and perhaps most impressive, was your ability to take all the information provided and use it in the most practical way possible, leaving me with some tools with which I could begin the work of change immediately. When I hung up the phone with you, I cleaned off my dining room table–the area that has been the most trouble for me and, as I mentioned, perfect microcosm of the larger problem–in record time and with ridiculous ease. I know that one session cannot magically cure a deeply ingrained habit with many psychological components, and yet the fact that our conversation helped me to do so this once, gives me a stunning example of what is possible. I want you to know that I will highly and enthusiastically recommend you to others! My sincerest thanks and appreciation for your talent and nurturing heart.” ~Paige Polisner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Manhattan, NY

“What touches me most about working with Dani isn’t just her amazing organizational skills when it comes to keeping me on track and her laser ability to keep the focus on me in a strong and loving way, but the tender, sweet, sweet way that she holds my “big agenda” and really convinced me that I truly am deep in her heart with her in this work. She leads me deep into my heart space and I thank her so much.” ~Mark Bednar, Somatic Healing Practitioner and Coach, CMT, CSB – Manhattan, NY

“I simply have to put the most important thing first – Dani is the best you can ask for, personally and professionally.

I met Dani at our CUNY school’s computer science job fair in early 2004. Like hundreds of soon-to-graduate students, I only spent a few minutes with her. Months later, when I walked into her office, surprisingly, she remembered me.  She kept me in the loop of the software development field and invited me to industry-related events in order to help develop myself professionally.

She then put me in her organization’s (the New York Software Industry Association) 6 month intensive Microsoft Networking and Systems training program in order to help me take my technical skills to the next level. In May 2004, she presented my resume to the New York Road Runners (NYRR) who were looking for a full-time Desktop Specialist to support the organization’s 60+ users, including providing extensive tech support in Grand Central Park for their annual NYC Marathon!

Two interviews later, right out of college, I got my first full-time job offer. However, I was also in the process of joining the U.S. Army and I wasn’t sure what to do. Fortunately, I talked to Dani – she listened to my concerns, put herself in my position and explained to me how I might go about making what was a very difficult decision for me at the time. I left her office with no doubt at all.

Now, 3 years later, I couldn’t be happier for the direction I went: I am now NYRR’s Systems Programmer – I love the work I do and the people I work with and I often wonder where I would be, had I not had the opportunity to work with Dani.” ~Lue Chen, Senior Systems Programmer, New York Road Runners – Manhattan, NY

“When I met Dani I had most areas of my life together, but was spinning out of control, financially. She helped me overcome my shame about not being in control of my money, encouraged me to reach out to a friend who had not yet paid back a substantial loan and cheered when I made bold moves to pay off my debt. It has been a year now since I have had that feeling of doom at the end of the month. The change in my life has been tremendous, I cannot thank Dani enough.” ~Sydney King, Teacher, Brooklyn Community High School – Brooklyn, NY

“Dani, with great respect and thanks to you for making space for the gray and for shining, or helping me shine, light into my shadows. And with so much compassion and kindness. Thank you so much.” ~S.B.M.

TESTIMONIAL to having “skin in the game”:

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games, 26 times. I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” ~Michael Jordan, former Basketball Player, NBA – Unites States of America