How to Reinvent Yourself With Author and Actress Danica McKellar

Danica McKellar

Verywell / Julie Bang

On The Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life.

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Meet Danica McKellar

You might remember Danica McKellar as Winnie Cooper from the TV show The Wonder Years. But she’s gone on to accomplish much more since her days as a child actress, including becoming a New York Times bestselling author. 

In college, Danica discovered she was really good at math. So she started writing books that help young people (and their parents) break down complex mathematical principles into fun, easy-to-understand equations.

Why Danica McKellar Is Mentally Strong

Her bestselling-author status hasn’t ended her acting career, however. Danica continues to star in TV shows and movies, including Hallmark’s popular Christmas movies. She uses her platform to talk about mental health, including her own personal struggles.

What You'll Hear on the Show

  • How she reinvented herself
  • How she deals with the fear of failure
  • Why she considers herself a work in progress
  • How girls are getting the message that their main value comes from their appearance
  • Tips for parents who are homeschooling their kids
  • The strategy that helps her feel better when she’s depressed
  • The three things you need in order to discover your purpose
  • The best strategy for accomplishing something big

What You'll Learn About Reinventing Yourself and Mental Strength

It’s tough to push yourself to take action when you don’t feel like it, but it can definitely help you grow stronger. You might think, “I’ll go to the gym when I feel motivated,” or “I’ll get together with my friends when I feel less depressed.” But sometimes you have to change your behavior first, and your feelings will follow.

Quotes From Danica

Danica McKellar

Don’t wait until you’re ready because you might never feel ready.

— Danica McKellar
  • "I get super depressed...I'm an actress. I'm empathetic, and it just weighs me down like a ton of bricks.."
  • "One of the things I do when I'm feeling down is to ask myself what I can do to make a difference."
  • "People give up on their dreams because they’re afraid they’re going to fail."
  • “I was known as “that girl from the show” over and over again. I had to deal with the fact that the world had not moved on.”

More About the Podcast

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Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

Links and Resources

By Amy Morin, LCSW
Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.