EPISODE 137 | How to Turn Rejection Into Success: Dona Amelia on Resilience, Growth, and Empowerment
In this soulful conversation, Dona Amelia reveals how she turned personal rejection into radical empowerment. Learn how resilience, inner healing, and bold authenticity can help you thrive.
Watch Dona Amelia’s interview on Human Amplified with Brandi Fleck on YouTube.
Listen to Dona Amelia's Story and Advice
About Episode 137
Dona Amelia, a renowned keynote speaker and executive coach, shares her inspiring journey from humble beginnings in Indonesia to leading Asia's largest executive peer network. We discuss the significance of resilience, authenticity, and connection in enhancing our human experience.
Dona also shares her personal story and the D-O-N-A method—Dreams, Opportunity, Never Give Up, and Action—that guides her through challenges. We dive into the art of high-impact communication, emphasizing empathy and storytelling as vital tools for building deeper relationships.
Dona reframes rejection as a pathway to growth and encourages listeners to embrace their vulnerabilities. This conversation offers valuable insights on navigating personal and professional landscapes to foster genuine connections and pursue dreams with unwavering belief.
We talk about:
03:11 Dona’s bio—from a bamboo house to international stages
05:24 Poverty, parental support & discovering her voice
07:01 What “high-impact communication” really means: clarity, empathy, presence
11:35 Dad’s quote that killed impostor syndrome: “Everyone still eats rice.”
16:16 The D.O.N.A. Framework explained
20:11 Healing the “hollow achiever”: Lack vs. abundance
24:26 Show-biz pressure: dieting pills & a 48 kg TV limit
29:24 Rejection as fuel, not failure
36:21 Speaking up when it’s risky: Purpose > fear
40:07 Using your voice for genuine connection
46:30 Moving to Vietnam, failing fast, reinventing as DJ & CEO-community builder
Episode 137 is for You If...
You find yourself asking questions such as:
What does being human mean for Dona?
How do you create high-impact communication that moves people to act?
What is the D.O.N.A. framework and how can you use it right now?
How do you turn rejection into a strategic advantage?
What shifts an achiever from scarcity to true abundance?
How can you speak up safely in a tense or censorious climate?
What concrete steps build instant connection and trust with strangers?
You Might Also Like: Using Your Rebellious Streak to Get Ahead
Read the Interview Transcript - Episode 137
Find the episode transcript here.
Links and Resources - Episode 137
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaamelia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missdonaamelia
Sponsors and Affiliates - Episode 137
Support for this podcast comes from Bed of Nails.
You’ve probably seen acupressure products before, maybe in your FB feed or something like that. It could be for any number of brands, but it’s a fact that the Bed of Nails is the Swedish original. I’ve been using the Bed of Nails mat and pillow since 2012, before they were popular, no joke. I personally remember when no other products were widely available and when I was scared to even try it.
When you lay on it at first, it can get a little uncomfortable, but that’s short-lived. After a few minutes, your back gets warm, starts pulsing, and then starts to relax. You quickly get used to distributing your weight on the bed of nails and it’s nothing but a welcomed reprieve from a stressful day.
Over the years it’s helped me increase circulation, relax, and reduce pain in my back and neck - something you can probably relate to needing help with, yeah? I also use my bed of nails every single time I meditate. I love it.
Shop my Bed of Nails affiliate link to get yours: https://bedofnails.org/?ref=BRANDIFLECK
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Love This Episode? Subscribe to Human Amplified for more interviews like this.
EPISODE CREDITS: Original intro and outro music by Ryan Sauls. Episode creation and graphics by Brandi Fleck. Editing by Natasha Rivera. Sound effects from zapslat.com. Bio and photos provided by Dona Amelia.
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Hi, I’m your podcast host, Brandi Fleck. I’m a recognized communications and interviewing expert, a writer, an artist, and a private practice, certified trauma-informed life coach and Reiki healer. No matter how you interact with me, I help you tell and change your story so you can feel more like yourself. So welcome!
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