Donna's Story
Donna is an adventurer at heart. She's an inspiring keynote speaker, author, podcaster, ghostwriter & book coach, and adventurer. Inspiring many with her challenges and 'go do it' attitude, helping many people achieve their BIG scary goals too!
Donna's story is of a seven year old girl who survived a stroke, and her journey, as a woman, to learn to run again. This is where RunDonnaRun began in 2012, and has led her to inspiring others to reach their goals.
Donna’s story is a miraculous one about strength, overcoming struggles and achieving results that even shocked doctors.
At seven years of age, I was known as 'The Mystery Girl' by medical practitioners at the Royal Children’s Hospital, as my condition was an extremely unusual case. With a whole gamut of findings and my stroke diagnosis - right hemiparesis. The right side of my body was immobile from a haemorrhage in the left side of my brain.
Other findings included meningitis, staphylococcal septicaemia, splenomegaly and endocarditis, which indicated a prolapsing mitral valve – including a hole in my heart and a heart murmur. Added to that, I had anaemia, osteomyelitis of my right ankle bones and aphasia (loss of speech). This meant I was left without the ability to walk and talk. Doctors told my parents that I’d would never walk or talk again.
As time went on and progress was made, I was known as 'The Miracle Girl' to the amazement of the medical team.
After a long period of rehabilitation, I developed the ability to walk again, and can very well talk…way too much, some would say!
Then at the age of fourteen years, I faced another challenge and was diagnosed in a critical state, with type 1 diabetes at the Royal Children's Hospital once again.
'Somebody asked me awhile back: "So Donna, what can't you do since you have had the stroke?" I had to think about this as I always have focused on what I can do, rather than what I can't. My responses. The answer: 'Running. I have never felt confident with running after the stroke.' This is where my stroke to marathon challenge began.
It is staggering that Donna is even here to tell her story, and her attitude of gratitude is very evident when hearing Donna talk of her journey to where she is now.
Stroke to Marathon Challenge
Donna was only able to run 30 tentative steps in November 2012; she decided to not only learn to run again, but to complete The Melbourne Marathon in October, 2013.
Training for 11 months with coaching experts from Brewsters Running.
The motivation behind ‘Run Donna Run’ was not only about sharing my personal journey and encouraging others, but was also to raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. She achieved her goal, completing the Melbourne Marathon on October 13, 2013.
Donna's other adventures included gathering participants to join her programs - see the Adventures tab:
The ‘Power Is In Me Program’ Adventure
A 20 week online running training program, nicknamed ‘PIIMP My Run.’ With participants from all OVER Australia.
The Skydive Adventure
‘Falling For A Cause.’ This was a skydive adventure challenge! Empowering participants to get out of their comfort zone and face their fears.
The Virtual Race Adventure
‘Run Your Own Race with RDR’ a virtual race. People could walk, run, push a pram, cycle and even wheelchair it, from wherever they lived! Empowered people to challenge themselves, and some joined Donna on her race.
Wellness Walk and Research Run Adventure
Donna joined a group of keen walkers and runners to help Olivia Newton-John share cancer research awareness and raise funds.
The Paragliding Adventure
Donna gathered a small group together once again on a daring adventure. Some facing a fear and getting out of their comfort zone. ,
Donna's Professional Bio
People always tell me, "Donna you are amazing, I couldn’t do that!" But with my coaching and mentoring, I keep showing people that they CAN go and get their BIG scary goal. The results are awesome!
I’ve trained and been mentored under the likes of Dr John Demartini, Jeff Slayter, Kane Minkus, Paul Blackburn and Chris Howard. Qualifying in Coaching, NLP Practioner, Sales, and a Workplace Trainer.
My background is in business development, life coaching, writing, supporting people to achieve their goals, including in disability and mental health.
I’ve conquered amazing personal and professional goals, and helped many to achieve their big goals too, through keynote speaking, coaching, mentoring, training programs, book coaching, and my own books!
I host a podcast called Ready! Set! Goal! with Donna Campisi This is puplished on my website, social media and sent to my subscribers by email. You can also find it on all popular podcast platforms such as: Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and Tune In.
My love of writing, along with coaching, has led me to coach and mentor others to share their story or expertise, in their own book. I have helped authors turn into published authors - as a book coach & ghostwriter. Everyone has a book inside them. This could be your story or your expert skills you need to share to help others, through publishing your own book. I help you do that! See more HERE
Whether you’re trying to achieve a big scary goal, a company in search of a keynote speaker, a team who needs to get on track, let’s see how we can work together.
Do you have a story to share? Are you an expert in your field? Want help writing a book? Donna is a book coach and a ghostwriter.
Donna is a published author and producer of the inspiring books 'Change is not a Scary Word,' 'The Unlikely Marathoner',Turn Dreams Into Reality' and a contributing author in 'The Inspiration Bible.'
Listen to Donna on her podcast Ready! Set! Goal! With Donna Campisi
Interested in having Donna speak at your next event?
BOOK DONNA HERE