If you are powered by strength, determination and hard work all things are possible.
Dana Vulin’s journey is a testament to the incredible power of resilience, determination, and the human spirit. Born into a close-knit family with two older sisters and a twin brother, Dana spent her early childhood in the remote community of Koolan Island, Western Australia, before moving to Perth at age six.
From a young age, Dana exuded confidence and charisma, building a strong network of friends throughout her school years. After high school, she pursued higher education, earning degrees in Communications (majoring in Advertising) and Business (majoring in Management).
At 25, Dana’s life was tragically altered by an unprovoked and violent attack that left her with third-degree burns covering 64% of her body and face. In February 2012, a woman, driven by jealousy about Dana’s beauty, stalked her for weeks. On February 16, the attacker broke into Dana’s apartment, doused her with methylated spirits, and set her on fire.
Rushed to the hospital in critical condition, Dana was placed in a medically induced coma for 10 days. Waking to unimaginable physical and emotional challenges, she embarked on a long and grueling recovery journey, enduring countless surgeries, including countless surgeries and reconstructive skin grafts, alongside intensive physical therapy.
Despite the severity of her injuries, Dana’s determination to rebuild her life never wavered. In 2013, the District Court sentenced her attacker to 17 years in prison. While this brought some justice, Dana continued to face lifelong scars and challenges. Later that year, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, yet she approached this new battle with the same tenacity, undergoing further surgeries and treatments.
Dana’s courage and transformation gained international attention. In 2015, she removed her compression mask for the first time on Channel 7’s Sunday Night program, revealing her face after nearly three years in a compression garment, breaking ratings records. The world watched as Dana became a symbol of survival, inspiring millions. That same year, her website drew visitors from 121 countries within a week of its launch. Dana leveraged this attention to support causes like HBF and Lifeline, serving as the HBF Fun Run Ambassador.
Her story reached global audiences, including recognition in the Japanese TV series World’s Most Amazing People in 2016. In 2017, Dana published her memoir, Worth Fighting For, which received widespread acclaim. Her national book tour included a live appearance on Channel 10’s The Project, marking a first for Penguin Random House authors. Dana’s vibrant personality led to a second invitation to the program the following year. Dana has appeared on every major talk show in Australia.
Committed to helping others, Dana earned a Master of Science in Nursing in 2021. Her studies, conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided invaluable experience in infection control and hospital care. She became a registered health practitioner with the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency (AHPRA), specialising in aesthetic practices. Dana also trained in cosmetic and paramedical tattooing, mastering techniques like micropigmentation to support trauma survivors, burns survivor, and individuals seeking scar camouflage. In August 2021, she founded I Am D Aesthetics in Perth, a clinic dedicated to helping clients feel their best. Her empathetic approach, shaped by her own recovery, provides a safe space for those seeking transformative care.
Dana’s influence continued to grow. On her 36th birthday in 2022, she released a transformative video that sparked an international media frenzy, leading to another live appearance on Channel 7’s The Morning Show. Going viral and trending world-wide with her raw transformation of her new body. In 2023, she expanded I Am D Aesthetics to Kalgoorlie and co-authored Curiosity Killed the Nine to Five, a book about female entrepreneurship that became an Amazon #1 bestseller in Workplace Culture.
Today, Dana is an acclaimed motivational speaker, author, director and practitioner who inspires others to overcome life’s challenges. Through her work and advocacy, she proves that strength, resilience, and courage can triumph over even the darkest of moments.
Thank you again Dana for a wonderful presentation. Everyone I have spoken to since this morning was in awe of your spirit and the love in your heart. Our parents, staff and students found yo ... keep reading St Joseph's College Mildura
Thank you so very much for your inspiring presentation last week. It was a talking point over the coming days and the women were in awe of what you had been through and your positive can-do' attitude! All in all, you finished our day one on a high, you can not hear a pin drop. Everyone was wondering what topic you would be speaking on, some thought it might have been around how to look so freakin awesome! So well done to you They truly loved their discussing with you and the openness in which you answered questions.
... What l did find memorable again for this year's event was the inclusion of Ms Dana Vulin as Master of Ceremonies. The adversity that Dana has overcome since 2012 in incomprehensible, yet this young woman's fighting spirit, never give up attitude, and tenacity to face the horror of what she has experienced, and use this as a platform to reach out to others in need of encouragement and support in times of great distress, is to be commended. ...
What an honour and absolute pleasure it was to have Dana Vulin attend the National Final of Australia Galaxy Pageants 2017. Not only did Dana add an air of glitz and glamour to the 4 day long event, but she shared her inspiring story and wise words of encouragement with all 60 contestants. As well as the full ball room for the final pageant show. Earning the only standing ovation. Dana's courage and zest for life, her perseverance and her kind heart shone throughout the event and her words touched the hearts of all who had the pleasure of listening. Thank you Dana thank you for being you, and for being such an inspiration to both young and old.
