The OT Lifestyle Movement

In this business-focussed episode of The OT Lifestyle Movement, I sit down with Beki Eakins to talk about what building a thriving online OT business actually looks like – the numbers, the strategy and the mindset behind it all. We discuss: What Beki's online business looks like today – her offers, her week and how she structures her time across a full work day The real numbers behind a successful...

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The OT Lifestyle Movement, I sit down with Dr. Wendy Stav to explore the heart of our profession - occupation. We discuss: Why Wendy never abbreviates “OT” and always says “occupational therapy” - and why language matters The difference between occupation as means and occupation as end , and why it matters in practice How to hold onto authentic occ...

In this episode Michelle Luken and I discuss: Why The Burn In Model is based on a metaphor. The flame at the heart of The Burn In Model. The flame represents the alignment between who you are (being), what you do (doing) and who and what you're connected to (belonging) What it means to tend to your inner flame vs your outer flame A breakdown of the 8 Ecosystem Elements that influence alignment: 1....

In this episode, I’m chatting with Michelle Luken, Occupational Therapist and co-creator of The Burn In Model, about how it all began. We discuss: The moment Burn In was first named How Michelle and I, on opposite sides of the world, were exploring similar concepts and how the Universe clearly connected us to bring The Burn In Model to life What the model means to us now vs. when it started How a...

In this episode, I’m joined by Michelle Luken - Occupational Therapist, U.S. Army Veteran, and co-creator of The Burn In Model. We dive deep into the personal stories that sparked this model, including: Michelle’s OT journey and the roles she’s held across military and mental health settings Her own experience of burnout and why it didn’t feel just like exhaustion, but something deeper Why our def...

In this episode, I chat with Justine Jecker - an occupational therapist I instantly fell in love with for her grounded wisdom, her realness, her critical thinking and the way she speaks so deeply to the heart of our profession. This conversation is rich, reflective and full of insight into what it really means to be an OT today. We discuss: How our personal identity shapes how we show up as occupa...

Have you ever fumbled to explain what you do as an OT? Questioned your place in the profession because the reality feels so far from what you were taught? Shrunk your words just to be understood - and still weren’t? Felt unseen, undervalued or like you care too much in systems that don’t? You’re not alone. Correcting someone who thinks you’re a physio… Trying to justify your value in a system obse...

In this episode we are talking all talking about a wide range of topics that surprisingly have a lot in common! We're talking about emotional regulation, OT coaching and supervision strategies with the wonderful Dr. Áine O'Dea. We discuss: How understanding the brain helps OTs in supporting emotional regulation. The effects of stress on the nervous system and effective strategies for OTs. The inte...

In this episode we're exploring how to achieve both time and financial freedom. We dive deep into practical strategies and actionable tips with our guest, Doug Vestal, to empower you on your journey towards a more liberated and fulfilling OT life. We discuss: What financial freedom and time freedom mean for OTs and how to achieve them. The importance of financial literacy for OTs. Tips for occupat...

In this episode, we dive deep with Karlye Williamson, an experienced occupational therapist who has seamlessly integrated stretch therapy and nervous system regulation into her practice. Join us as we explore how Karlye's journey into OT led her to develop a unique approach that enhances both mental and physical well-being. We discuss: Karlye’s journey from traditional OT to specialising in stretc...

In this episode we are talking all about supporting caregivers through the lens of occupational therapy. We discuss:  Practical occupational therapy strategies to support carers.  What The OT Carer Pathway is and how you can use it in your practice.  How occupational science informs The OT Carer Pathway.  The tier system within the OT Carer Pathway.  Occupational therapy carer...

In this special episode, I'm on the other side of the microphone! I'm taking the guest seat as I chat with a fellow OT, Jo, who reached out via Instagram. We realised our conversation could benefit a wider audience, tackling some of the most pressing questions in the world of occupational therapy and starting a business. We're diving deep into the issues that matter - to you! In this episode we di...

In this episode we are talking all about the powerful impact of sensory healing after developmental trauma. We discuss:  The concepts ‘sensory healing’ and ‘developmental trauma’   The Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics by Dr Bruce Perry The 6 R’s of a trauma-compassionate treatment plan: rewarding, relational, relevant, respectful, rhythmic, and repetitive  Low-cost, budget...

The CanMOP is an evolution of the Canadian occupational model, previously known as the CMOP and the CMOP-E. This new iteration places a strong emphasis on occupational participation, encouraging therapists to extend their focus beyond just performance and engagement. Occupational participation is placed at the heart of this new model, emphasising access to, initiation and sustaining valued occupat...

In this episode we are talking all about Collaborative Relationship Focused Occupational Therapy with Professor Gayle Restall. Gayle is co-editor of the new book; Promoting Occupational Participation: Collaborative Relationship-Focused Occupational Therapy.   Collaborative Relationship Focused Occupational Therapy underscores the core purpose of occupational therapy—enabling access to, i...

In this episode we are lucky enough to be speaking with Dr Nick Pollard. We discuss: What Wilcock’s mantra ‘doing, being, becoming and belonging’ means to Nick  What occupational justice looks like  How occupational therapists can contribute in addressing the inequalities in health  Reflecting on the concept of "Occupational Therapy Without Borders"  How the use of narrati...

In this episode we are talking all about: Why we often doubt our work as occupational therapists  Recognising and addressing imposter syndrome within occupational therapy Strategies for rekindling passion in occupational therapy Words of wisdom for the OT professionals in the trenches right now  Exploring what identity-led work means and its practical applications in OT  Understanding th...

In this episode we are talking all about serious mental illness and a path to resilience with Liz Grace. Liz is an occupational therapist in recovery from Schizoaffective Disorder who lives with the daily challenges of profound hearing loss.  We discuss:  Serious mental illness and its impact on relationships, work and everyday activities  Schizoaffective disorder – what it is and L...

In this episode we are talking all about strengths based occupational therapy with Kavita Murthi. We discuss:  What strengths-based practice is  How we can embrace a strengths-based approach in our assessment and therapy  How we can write strengths-based reports  What strengths-based practice looks like when working with neurodivergent people  How to stop using a deficits-...

In this episode we are talking all about human rights, social inclusion and population health with Clare Hocking. We discuss:  The paradigm shift Clare proposes from the conventional notion of "you are what you eat" to the more encompassing concept of "you are what you do"  How to drive social change as an OT  Addressing issues of injustice and human rights that are impacting participation and eng...

In this episode we are talking all about therapeutic use of self with psychotherapist, academic, author, researcher and former occupational therapist, Linda Finlay. We discuss:  The concept of therapeutic use of self: what it is?  The role therapeutic use of self plays in a person’s progress  How we can develop and enhance the therapeutic relationship  The concept of the ‘wound...

In this episode we are talking all about sexuality, an often overlooked aspect of the human experience in our OT field. So we’re lifting the veil to develop a deeper understanding. We’re talking with Dr Sakshi Tickoo.   In this episode we explore:  How to speak more comfortably about sexuality with individuals How sexuality relates to occupations The OTPs role in the scope of sexuality Sensuality ...

In this episode we are talking all about the NDIS: The National Disability Insurance Scheme here in Australia. We are talking with Sarah Collison, Occupational Therapist, Director of Verve OT and administrator of The NDIS OT Community of Practice Facebook Group.   We discuss:   Pros and cons of being a registered NDIS provider (vs not being a registered provider)  Service Agree...

In this episode, it is an absolute privilege and pleasure to be speaking with Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Townsend. Liz is a remarkable occupational therapist, occupational scientist and scholar who developed Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) and has made significant contributions to the field of occupational therapy, occupational science and the understanding of...

When we step fully into our role as an occupational therapist and own the title, when we educate the community on our understanding of 'occupation' - we raise the collective consciousness. But it starts with us. As occupational therapists we often get frustrated that no one knows what it is we do. And it's a catch 22. We don't use the word 'occupation', because people don't understand what it mean...