Interview: a childhood of high expectations, clear strengthens and hidden needs

Photo L-R: of Dayna and Anjola

Anjola Fashawe talks to Dayna Byfield about finding her voice, navigating challenges and empowering others

It was amazing to meet Dayna, author and Executive Coach & Speaker, and hear her reflect on a life shaped by curiosity, resilience and connection. From her early experiences to her journey with Exposure, education and heritage, she shares insights about blossoming, self-understanding and authentic growth.

Childhood and early influences
Dayna grew up in North London as the eldest in a loving but single-parent home, carrying high expectations but with very little support. Those early challenges shaped her fascination with people, relationships and personal growth. “My mum was a single parent, she was very high-performing, nothing less than perfection would do,” she says. “I learned that to figure things out in life on my own. Whatever it was, you take responsibility and get it done.”

She recalls, “Growing up, I was more interested in my relationships with people, the way I saw the world, and having a very keen voice and being able to use that voice.” Despite her intelligence and passion, she struggled academically, in traditional educational environments. Her mum’s dream for her was clear: excel, be top of the class, and make her proud. But Dayna’s talents shone instead through drama, singing and her natural connection with people.

“Being an older sister also definitely shaped who I am and what I’ve done career-wise. I’ve always looked out for people who didn’t have someone older to support them. I remember a friend in school saying his sister was being bullied, and I went to her school and told them to leave her alone.”

Finding a voice with Exposure
Dayna first discovered Exposure as a teenager, a time that sparked her interest in media and storytelling. “They used to send copies of the magazines to schools in the local area,” she explains. “When I saw that slogan, ‘We Are Youth,’ I realised this was something I wanted to get involved in.”

Exposure gave Dayna an early platform to develop her voice and gain confidence. “What I remember most is feeling empowered, connecting with people, meeting others like-minded people, and expressing myself through journalism and writing.” It was a catalyst for her self-belief and sense of direction. She remembers feeling supported and encouraged, with community and mentorship playing an important role.

Breaking barriers with education and self-discovery
Dayna’s love for English and expression began early: “I remember doing GCSE anthologies and loving poetry; Seamus Heaney was a favourite poet of mine. Follower has always felt visceral to me, and I wrote about it during my master’s degree, reflecting on the father–child relationship across time.

“My earlier university experiences gave me a lot, even though I started many times and wasn’t able to complete the course. During this time, I was identified as dyslexic and dyspraxic, which I wouldn’t have known without their support. Even my email signature reads, ‘I’m made by dyslexia, expect curious spellings, attention to people detail, and creative problem solving’.

“For me, the academic rigour of my master’s degree was a struggle, not a new struggle, but one I was finally equipped to handle. I went to university for my master’s, but initially found the environment a bit of a culture shock. I reminded myself that delay is not denial.

“I thrived when I connected with my passions and support systems. Support over the last year has been critical too,” Dayna continues, acknowledging her tutors, her husband, and her own self-awareness.

Her recent master’s thesis, The Duality of CEO Well-being Advocacy: A Study of UK CEOs’ Authenticity, Communication and Organisational Impact, investigates this duality. It explores how the disconnect between CEO advocacy and authentic communication shapes organisational culture and employee outcomes. “Everything I do always revolves around people.”

This year, Dayna published her first book, Personality Unlocked: Discover How Your Personality Shapes Your Power, which shares insights into self-awareness and human behaviour. “It’s about understanding who you are now as a function of who you’ve always been,” she explains.

Transforming challenges into opportunities
Her journey was not without hurdles. “I used to be a fully paid-up member of the ‘hyper-independent persons movement,’” Dayna confesses. “I did everything myself; it was all about rolling up your sleeves and rugged individuality.” Over time, she recognised the importance of support and collaboration. “I met an amazing lady at my university, Alisha, the head of student support, who helped me put together a plan for success,” she recalls.

Dayna’s experience with chronic stress and health challenges taught her the importance of being well-resourced. “Resilience is often used to push responsibility back onto the individual; being resourced is the work of a community and support systems” she argues. “When you’re resourced, your capacity increases. It’s not about being endlessly tough, but having the tools, rest, and support to keep going with strength and calm.”

The role of heritage and identity
Heritage is important to Dayna. “I refer to myself as African-Caribbean,” she states. Her family’s roots trace back to Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau. Her mother’s emphasis on cultural pride instilled a sense of greatness and inner strength in her. “My mum always made it clear that I was African first,” she says, “and that without the Africanity, there is no Caribbean.”

“Living in an area where I was definitely a minority, sticking out like a sore thumb, I was always very visible. I’m five foot eight and have been that height since I was about eleven. Growing up in a place where people didn’t look like me, where I wasn’t reflected in the local community, came with its own challenges.”

She challenges the “strong Black woman” stereotype, advocating instead for being well-rested and supported. “The more I grow, the less ambitious I become in the traditional sense. My new ambition is to be well-resourced and authentic to who I am” she declares.

Blossoming and sharing insights
Looking to the future, Dayna rejects the idea of fixed end goals. She plans to continue her education, aiming for a Doctorate in Business Administration, and to expand her influence through writing more books, coaching and social media.

“I see myself evolving and blossoming rather than being goal-directed,” she affirms. “Nature blossoms and blooms,” she adds, a reminder that our greatest growth often happens when we align with our true selves, not when we force ourselves into predefined boxes.

Dayna’s journey is a testament to the power of self-awareness, community and personal strength. “Life is about understanding who you are, where your lane is and who can help you be the best in that lane,” she reflects. Her work, whether through writing, coaching, or public speaking, is driven by a desire to help others feel seen, understand themselves and be well-resourced, particularly leaders, high performers and those who are gifted or deemed privileged who are often left out of the support conversation.

She’s committed to sharing her insights through social media, speaking engagements, and her upcoming projects. “More visibility means more people can access the tools and understanding they need to thrive,” she says.

A key part of Dayna’s story is her authenticity. “I’ve learned that growth doesn’t have to come from pushing harder or chasing some external goal. It’s about blossoming in your own time, following your inner compass, and understanding that you are already enough.”

Book Recommendations
Dayna shares some of the books that have influenced her and might inspire you!

• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – practical relationship skills
• The Black Wealth Choice by Dennis Kimbrough – insights on wealth and mindset within the Black community
• Anything by Iyanla Vanzant – guidance on healing and self-awareness
• Personality Unlocked: Discover How Your Personality Shapes Your Power by Dayna Byfield – her own reflections on self-awareness and personal growth

Speaking with Dayna, now a successful Executive Coach & Speaker, is a powerful reminder of the transformative impact Exposure has. From giving young people a platform to find their voice to inspiring confidence, resilience and self-belief, it shows how vital community, mentorship and representation are for those navigating similar challenges. Her experiences demonstrate that when support meets opportunity, young people don’t just survive, they thrive.

As Maya Angelou writes in Still I Rise, ‘I rise, I rise, I rise.’ Dayna embodies that same spirit, a living example of resilience, authenticity, and pride.