09 Dec 2025
Welcome to another deeply moving episode of the Magic Life Podcast! This week, host Joe sits down with Daniii, a resident from Windsor Mews, whose journey represents courage, resilience, and remarkable personal growth.
From growing up around Portsmouth and struggling with her mental health from a young age, Daniii shares her powerful story of navigating bullying, hospital admissions, misdiagnoses, and years of self-harm. After finally receiving an autism and ADHD diagnosis in 2025, she began to understand her experiences in a new light — and that clarity became a turning point in her recovery.
In this emotional and empowering conversation, Daniii talks openly about her past challenges, including time spent in psychiatric hospitals, the difficult cycles she endured, and the dangerous behaviours that kept pulling her back into crisis. But she also shares the life-changing support she received at Magic Life, the staff who made a difference, and how structured care, DBT skills, and her own determination led her to 529 days self-harm free — a milestone she’s incredibly proud of.
This episode highlights Daniii’s transformation from crisis to stability, from fear to independence, and from surviving to planning a hopeful future. Now preparing to move on to more independent living and studying psychology with the Open University, Daniii is focused on building a life where she can one day help others who’ve walked a similar path.
Join us for a conversation filled with honesty, bravery, growth, and inspiration.
Highlights
- Growing up and early mental health challenges
- Bullying, family changes, and declining wellbeing
- Misdiagnosis and finally receiving answers: Autism & ADHD
- Years of self-harm, hospital admissions & traumatic experiences
- Support at Magic Life and the move to 24-hour care
- Coping skills, DBT strategies & personal breakthroughs
- Hitting 529 days self-harm free
- Building trust with staff
- Goals for the future: independence, study & becoming a psychologist
- Advice for others on similar journeys
00:00 Introduction & Meeting Danny
00:20 Early Life, Growing Up & First Signs of Mental Health Struggles
01:20 Bullying, Family Changes & Decline in Mental Health
02:25 Seeking Answers & Autism/ADHD Diagnosis
03:43 Understanding Herself & How Diagnosis Helped
04:49 Hospital Admissions & Self-Harm Beginnings
06:02 Worst Episode & Coma
06:19 Medications, Therapy & Support Before Magic Life
07:41 Struggles Living Independently
08:10 Psychiatric Units & Trauma
09:34 Assessment & Acceptance into Magic Life
10:40 Early Days at Magic Life & Continued Self-Harm
11:58 Reasons Behind Behaviours & Emotional Triggers
13:39 Family Visits, Routines & Emotional Overload
15:18 Learning DBT Skills & Coping Techniques
17:38 Getting Her Cat & Motivation to Change
18:24 Wanting to Break the “Revolving Door Patient” Cycle
18:43 Magic Life Support: 24-Hour Care & Mood Cards
21:14 Gradual Independence & Confidence Building
22:06 Trust Issues & Building Rapport with Staff
24:36 Becoming 529 Days Self-Harm Free
26:22 Tracking Progress & Celebrating Success
27:59 Preparing for More Independence
28:25 Studying Psychology & Future Career Goals
29:30 Long-Term Vision: Living Without Staff Support
30:38 Advice on Diagnosis, Support & Self-Belief
32:16 Message to Her Younger Self
33:34 Would She Change Her Journey?
34:30 Final Thank-Yous & Closing Thoughts
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