The OT Lifestyle Movement

Co-regulation is the dynamic and continuous process whereby one person’s nervous system calms another. It is a hugely important skill as a therapist, but also in so many of our other life roles. Co-regulation is about meeting a person where they are at and attuning to their needs. In this episode I explore and talk … 83 – 6 Practical Strategies for Co-Regulation Read More »

Today we have a little sneak peek in to the life of an OT student. We are speaking with Alaskah Hindry, a final year occupational therapy student from Sydney, Australia. Alaskah is in her 7th year of university, after completing a few years part-time following the birth of her daughter. She shares her student journey – the … 82 – OT Student Life: Placements, Managing Stress & Prep...

Let’s talk all about lifestyle optimisation and what this movement is all about. Brock Cook, fellow OT Aussie podcaster interviewed me for his podcast Occupied back in January 2021 to talk all about The OT Lifestyle Movement – our movement. I’m sharing the episode here, because after the podcast was release I had so many … 81 – Lifestyle, Occupation & OT: What It...

We all experience trauma. The question is, how do we get through the tough times? How do we navigate our way back home to ourselves? How do we listen to wild wisdom of our heart? And most potently, how do we unleash it? Today I have a very special guest and former OT friend of … 80 – Trauma & Unleashing The Wild Wisdom of Your Heart ft. Aubri Hathaway Read More »

Let me get really vulnerable with you for a minute as I share my biggest OT stuff up. Let me take you back to when I was a new grad working at a city hospital on the general medical wards. I did something I will never (ever) do again. It was my biggest mistake, and … 79 – My Biggest OT Stuff Up Read More »

Today we are shifting the spotlight from a focus on client well-being, to our own well-being. We are exploring the inner work we can do as healthcare professionals to not only survive, but to thrive. In today’s fast-paced therapy world many of us are faced with what feels like endless responsibilities and a never-ending to-do … 78 – Imposter Syndrome, Burn Out & Self Compass...

There is so much more that we can do as occupational therapy practitioners if we simply give ourselves permission. Permission to think big and permission to create new ways. In this episode we talk with Jess Leggatt, an inspiring OT from Brisbane Australia. Jess talks about what ‘occupation as medicine’ means to her, and how … 77 – Occupation as Medicine, Mind-Body Connection & Un...

How do we know it’s ‘acheiable’, if its never been done before? If there’s no evidence of it being ‘attainable’? Let’s not put a cap on our clients dreams, desires and goals to ensure they fit into OUR goal setting framework. For when the bar is set too low, they may fall short of reaching … 76 – {Not So} SMART Goals? Read More »

Today I am taking you back to an interview I recorded 2 years ago, before The OT Lifestyle Movement even existed! I was so thrilled and honoured to speak with the amazing Dr Fiona Graham (and you can probably tell in my voice!). Dr Fiona developed Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC), an evidenced based coaching intervention … 75 – Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC): Evidence B...

Today we are talking all about the breath – something that every single one of our clients does as an involuntary automatic function of the body. But how is it impacting on their daily occupations?  In this podcast episode we dive into how we can assess a clients’ breathing, why this is even important, what … 74 – Breathing Retraining and Education For Clients ft Kate Broderick Re...

In this episode I am interviewed by Patricia Motus, OT and the voice behind The Uncommon OT Series podcast. I am thrilled to be sharing this here with you! We talk about the profession of occupational therapy, how I practice as an OT and stepping into business.

People can experience profound transformation through the way in which we touch them. Not just physically, energetically. The energy we bring to a session is one of our most important tools in our OT toolbox, as it forms the foundation of the therapeutic relationship. In this episode we dive into two extraordinary modalities that incorporate … 72 – Bodywork and Energy Principles in OT...

Have you ever thought about leveraging the skills, knowledge and expertise you already have as an OT or OTA and turning it into an online course? There are so many reasons why this may appeal to you. Maybe you want to impact more lives beyond 1:1 therapy? Maybe you want to create another stream of … 71 – Turn Your OT Expertise Into An Online Course: Free Masterclass Replay Read More »

For some it’s taboo, for Lindsey Vestal it’s a typical Tuesday. Pelvic health, incontinence, sex and pelvic pain are topics all too familiar. The pelvic health space is an area Lindsey knew she wanted to step into before she even started OT school. What drew her to OT, was the holistic lens she could provide … 70 – OT Pelvic Health: Breaking The Taboo And Blazing A Trail ft Lindsey Ves...

While listening is recognised as a ‘soft skill’, I think it is anything but that. It’s hard. To deeply listen to our clients and their needs, wants, dreams and desires it takes a certain level of humility. The humility to pay attention. The humility to see life through their lens. The humility to recognise when … 69 – Deep Listening: Not A Soft Skill Read More »

Have you ever wondered what exactly occupational therapy can bring to the soft tissue arena? Well strap in, because in this episode we cover it all! Today we speak with Jordan van der Westhuizen (do you think I could pronounce his last name after I hit record!?). Jordan is an occupational therapist who specialises in … 68 – Soft Tissue Therapy, Injury and Pain ft Jordan van der Westhui...

At the start of a new year most of us take the time to think about our direction, our dreams, desires and goals over the next 365 days. I want to help you reach your goals faster this year, and so I am going to share my little secret with you that collapses time like … 67 – Energetic Calibration: How to Collapse Time to Reach Your Goals Faster Read More »

Dr. Deirdre Azzopardi is an occupational therapist who refuses to be put in the fine motor box. She doesn’t want to be known as the handwriting teacher. She wants to be known as the therapist who holistically contributes to children’s well-being within the school environment. In this episode we dive into all things social emotional … 66 – Breaking OT Stereotypes in Schools: From Fine M...

The idea of having a job for life seems long gone. I felt the pinch when I was made redundant from my occupational therapy job 10 years ago. In hindsight, it was the best career move I never had to make. But at the time, it was rough. No job. And no income. After this … 65 – Why I Created Multiple Income Streams (and why you should consider it) Read More »

Mindfulness and meditation are occupations that we can weave into our sessions with clients to help them achieve their participation or engagement based goals. In this episode Sarah Good explains the difference between mindfulness and mediation and exactly how these approaches can be used to support our clients with various challenges including those who experience … 64 – Mindfulness,...

An occupation can be therapy, or simply therapeutic. It’s crucial to know the difference.

There’s no beating around the bush with this episode. Today we dive straight to the heart of meaning and purpose in life with Debra Battistella. If you’re on your own spiritual journey or seeking support on your path to self-growth and evolution, this episode is for you. We unpack belief systems, identity, accepting our thoughts, non-judgement, cre...

“When I know everything there is to know, then I’ll do it. When it’s perfect, then I’ll do it. When I’m not scared, then I’ll do it.” Have you ever caught yourself saying this before? Have these thoughts stopped you from pursing what it really is you desire in life? Let me share with you … 61 – When I’m Not Scared, Then I’ll Do It! Read More »

Farm based practice and equine-assisted occupational therapy services are quietly emerging around the globe. More and more therapists are wanting to enable their clients to reach their meaningful occupation-centered and participation-focused goals in an authentic, natural and non-clinical environment. Today we chat with Sarah Munn, a...

Let me share my journey to entrepreneurship, how I initially harnessed the belief that creating my own business was possible and how I didn’t let the fear of failure or other peoples opinion keep me paralysed! And I want to remind you that your action AND inaction impacts everyone and everything. When you don’t follow … 59 – Entrepreneurship and Creating Change Read More »