about donna BARNES

Experience is the best teacher

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TV HOST & EXPERT

Donna Barnes has been a frequent relationship contributor for Good Morning America and Nightline. She spent three seasons with the popular "What Would You Do?" hosted by Emmy winner John Quinones. Donna has also appeared on Fox & Friends, CNN, NBC's Today, CBS's Early Show, Fox News, Fuse, and she had fun teaching the girls how to "Rock at Love" on VH-1's  "Rock of Love Charm School" hosted by Sharon Osbourne. In addition she co-hosted Metro TV's Naked New York with Bob Berkowitz.  Visit Donna's  IN THE MEDIA  page.

Donna Barnes has been a frequent relationship contributor for Good Morning America and Nightline. She spent three seasons with the popular "What Would You Do?" hosted by Emmy winner John Quinones. Donna has also appeared on Fox & Friends, CNN, NBC's Today, CBS's Early Show, Fox News, Fuse, and she had fun teaching the girls how to "Rock at Love" on VH-1's  "Rock of Love Charm School" hosted by Sharon Osbourne. In addition she co-hosted Metro TV's Naked New York with Bob Berkowitz.  Visit Donna's  IN THE MEDIA  page.

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TV HOST & EXPERT

Donna Barnes has been a frequent relationship contributor for Good Morning America and Nightline. She spent three seasons with the popular "What Would You Do?" hosted by Emmy winner John Quinones. Donna has also appeared on Fox & Friends, CNN, NBC's Today, CBS's Early Show, Fox News, Fuse, and she had fun teaching the girls how to "Rock at Love" on VH-1's  "Rock of Love Charm School" hosted by Sharon Osbourne. In addition she co-hosted Metro TV's Naked New York with Bob Berkowitz.  Visit Donna's  IN THE MEDIA  page.

Donna Barnes has been a frequent relationship contributor for Good Morning America and Nightline. She spent three seasons with the popular "What Would You Do?" hosted by Emmy winner John Quinones. Donna has also appeared on Fox & Friends, CNN, NBC's Today, CBS's Early Show, Fox News, Fuse, and she had fun teaching the girls how to "Rock at Love" on VH-1's  "Rock of Love Charm School" hosted by Sharon Osbourne. In addition she co-hosted Metro TV's Naked New York with Bob Berkowitz.  Visit Donna's  IN THE MEDIA  page.

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Author

giving up junk-food relationships: recipes for healthy choices

As a teenage model whose only income came from what I looked like, I was obsessed with working out and trying to eat right. It was a constant battle between enjoying what I ate or enjoying how I looked. At the same time, I had no idea what boundaries were, and looking back, I definitely had a few “What was I thinking?” relationships. If I had thought then to put a food value on men, I would have known exactly whom to indulge in and whom to avoid. That’s how the idea for Giving Up Junk-Food Relationships was born. Like attracts like; therefore, you are who you meet, just as you are what you eat. Bad relationships are pretty much the same as junk-food.

"A welcome addition to the self-help genre that aims to heal body and mind." — Kirkus Reviews

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More Than 30 Years of Personal Experience

Growing up just outside Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love”, I've always loved helping people. As a kid, I wanted to be a doctor — until I met a model.  At age eighteen, my modeling agency got me an apartment in New York City. I was thrilled to be in the heart of America’s biggest singles scene! I studied acting (human behavior), moved to Los Angeles, back to New York, all the while putting my career first and breaking men's hearts. Until I had my heart broken and became obsessed with how to fix my relationships. After years of dating without becoming someone’s exclusive girlfriend, pining over a man I couldn’t have (at least not full-time), starring in a reality show about being single, hosting a talk show about relationships (dubbed "The Dating Expert"), and writing a magazine column, New York City started to call me “the real-life Carrie Bradshaw.” I finally learned how to enjoy being alone. I went to NYU, became a certified Life, Relationship, & Breakup Coach, and now I'm very good at helping others have better relationships — this is what I was meant to do.

NYU CERTIFIED LIFE & RELATIONSHIP COACH

In 2006, I enrolled at New York University to officially become a life coach. Clients frequently tell me I give them a unique perspective — a combination of practical hindsight, intelligence, and academic knowledge. It’s incredibly validating when they call to simply say, “You were right!” I can’t help but think, “It’s about time I got it right.” Three decades later, I feel I have earned the title of dating, relationship, and breakup expert. My favorite part is helping people make better choices than I did.

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More Than 30 Years of Personal Experience

Growing up just outside Philadelphia, the “City of Brotherly Love”, I've always loved helping people. As a kid, I wanted to be a doctor — until I met a model.  At age eighteen, my modeling agency got me an apartment in New York City. I was thrilled to be in the heart of America’s biggest singles scene! I studied acting (human behavior), moved to Los Angeles, back to New York, all the while putting my career first and breaking men's hearts. Until I had my heart broken and became obsessed with how to fix my relationships. After years of dating without becoming someone’s exclusive girlfriend, pining over a man I couldn’t have (at least not full-time), starring in a reality show about being single, hosting a talk show about relationships (dubbed "The Dating Expert"), and writing a magazine column, New York City started to call me “the real-life Carrie Bradshaw.” I finally learned how to enjoy being alone. I went to NYU, became a certified Life, Relationship, & Breakup Coach, and now I'm very good at helping others have better relationships — this is what I was meant to do.

NYU CERTIFIED LIFE & RELATIONSHIP COACH

In 2006, I enrolled at New York University to officially become a life coach. Clients frequently tell me I give them a unique perspective — a combination of practical hindsight, intelligence, and academic knowledge. It’s incredibly validating when they call to simply say, “You were right!” I can’t help but think, “It’s about time I got it right.” Three decades later, I feel I have earned the title of dating, relationship, and breakup expert. My favorite part is helping people make better choices than I did.

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Sign up for coaching
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Advice Videos & Columns

Donna offers her unique point of view to numerous publications including Cosmopolitan, FOX News, and others, in addition to writing columns for her own BLOG as well as Plenty of Fish, Dating Advice.com and more.

A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE

Realistic Advice

Client Stories & Personal Anecdotes

New Posts Weekly

MY PATH

In 2001, I went to a party — and it changed my life. A friend called me over to introduce me to a group of people and introduced me as, "She's perfect for what you're looking for!" They were producers from September Films in London and they were making a documentary about single, successful women in New York. They made me and my three closest friends (affectionately know as "The Barracudas") stars of their show. It was a huge hit and lead to one of the best phone calls I've ever gotten. The president of Metro TV offered me a talk show about sex and relationships, and dubbed me, "Dating Expert" on posters all over New York City. The show was very popular and soon I was asked to write a relationship column in a new glossy monthly magazine. Mark Turner at Abrams Artists became my hosting agent who wisely asked me, "But why are you an expert? You either need a degree or you need to write a book." So I did both.

MY PATH

In 2001, I went to a party — and it changed my life. A friend called me over to introduce me to a group of people and introduced me as, "She's perfect for what you're looking for!" They were producers from September Films in London and they were making a documentary about single, successful women in New York. They made me and my three closest friends (affectionately know as "The Barracudas") stars of their show. It was a huge hit and lead to one of the best phone calls I've ever gotten. The president of Metro TV offered me a talk show about sex and relationships, and dubbed me, "Dating Expert" on posters all over New York City. The show was very popular and soon I was asked to write a relationship column in a new glossy monthly magazine. Mark Turner at Abrams Artists became my hosting agent who wisely asked me, "But why are you an expert? You either need a degree or you need to write a book." So I did both.

Reality Show

TO LIVE & DATE IN NEW YORK

Single in the City, 2002 WE Network USA, Bravo Canada, a.k.a. To Live and Date in New York 2002 Metro TV, New York, a.k.a. The Real Sex in the City 2002 Sky Broadcasting in thirteen countries. Produced by September Films of London.

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Talk Show

NAKED NEW YORK

Donna co-hosted Naked New York with Bob Berkowitz 2002–2003. 205 episodes. Metro TV, Cablevision, New York.

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1st Column

NEW YORK MOVES MAGAZINE

Donna wrote the DISH relationship column for the startup monthly magazine New York Moves 2003-2004.

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the best version of yourself

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THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF

Sign Up For Coaching

Sign up for personal coaching.
My hours are flexible and I'm easy to talk to.