Dare to be Different with Craig White
Delve into the stories of sporting champions, corporate visionaries, and everyday parents who redefine leadership.
In each episode, I explore the journeys of leaders who have undergone profound transformations, emerging stronger and wiser. From overcoming challenges to embracing change, our guests share insights and lessons learned along their paths to success.
Tune in and discover what it takes to lead with authenticity and courage in every aspect of life.
Dare to be Different with Craig White
S2E13 Daniel Granger - From Body Fixers to Breakdown: The Pain Behind the Persona
Daniel Granger looked like he had it all.
A successful hairdresser. A public figure. TV appearances. A big personality. But behind the scenes? He was exhausted. Addicted. Broken.
In this raw and honest episode, Dan sits down with me to share the truth behind the mask. From childhood trauma and addiction to homelessness, suicide attempts and deep-rooted mistrust of men, this is a story about surviving, and eventually healing.
Dan talks about:
- Growing up in chaos and losing his dad at 8
- Finding safety in feminine spaces after being abused by the men in his life
- How fatherhood gave him purpose—but didn’t fix the pain
- What it really took to feel safe in his own skin: retreats, rituals, boxing, plant medicine
- And why he now shows up for other men the way he always wished someone had shown up for him
This isn’t a story about fame or business. It’s a story about what it takes to become the man you never had.
Show Notes
The Masks We Wear
- Why performing success left Dan feeling more alone than ever
- The moment he hit rock bottom and called Craig for help
Childhood Trauma & Safety in Femininity
- Abuse, abandonment, and the death of his father at 8
- Why Dan gravitated towards women and struggled to trust men
Homeless at 13 – Finding Tribe in Unlikely Places
- Building a hut in a park
- Taken in by a Christian men’s community that changed his life
Healing Through Brotherhood
- Learning to feel safe around men through retreats and boxing
- Grieving his father for the first time during a San Pedro ceremony
Becoming a Man You Actually Like
- Letting go of addiction and old identities
- The power of fatherhood, purpose, and helping others heal
Dan’s Mission Today
- Creating safe spaces for men
- Why his legacy won’t be built behind a salon chair, but in the hearts of the men he reaches