The BRAVE OT Podcast with Carlyn Neek is all about empowering occupational therapists to step-up, level-up, blaze some trails, and maybe engage in a little conscious rebellion in service of the profession, our clients, our work, our businesses, and living our mission wholeheartedly. We are all about keeping it real, doing hard things, unhuslting, being curious, trying new things, growing through our challenges, and finding joy and fulfilment along the way. Really, we are OTing ourselves and each other.
About This Podcast
The BRAVE OT Podcast features authentic conversations with occupational therapists doing innovative and interesting work, from private practice owners to clinicians pioneering new approaches to OTs, creating entirely new paths for the profession. Through real conversations, we explore the challenges of trailblazing, the reality of navigating uncertainty, and how OTs support each other through it all.
Whether you're an OT practice owner facing uncertainty, a clinician exploring new directions to escape environments that contribute to burnout, or an occupational therapist who's ready to do things differently, these conversations will resonate. We talk about the messy middle of building something meaningful, the isolation that can come with going your own way, and what it really takes to create sustainable work that aligns with your values.
Host Carlyn Neek brings her lived experience as a multipassionate ADHDer, her decads of work with adult mental health with high achievers and her OT mentorship and business coaching to these conversations. Creating space for honest dialogue about the challenges we face as innovators in our profession is her superpower.
The BRAVE OT Podcast is perfect for: Occupational therapists in private practice, OTs exploring entrepreneurship, clinicians seeking inspiration and community, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of our profession.
We aim for 2 episodes per month.
💌 An invitation from Carlyn:
If you're an OT who has built a solid private practice but it's time to evolve to make your business work for you in this next phase of life, I'd love to talk to you. I provide coaching for occupational therapists and support for overwhelmed OT practice owners who want to THRIVE without the HUSTLE through my ACTivate Vitality program, an evidence-based approach to building entrepreneurial resilience with a neurodiversity-affirming community where you can find your people as well as the strategy to make intentional, values-led changes in your life and business. https://www.balanceworks.online/avprogram
Let's create clarity together by figuring out what you need to make this important shift away from your business running you toward loving your life with a business to support it.
🤗 Book a Clarity Call: https://www.activatevitality.online/call
🔗 Connect with me: https://www.balanceworks.online/contact-links
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Ep. 51: Redefining Brave When Everything Changes With Trish Williams
Saison 1 · Épisode 51
samedi 1 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:14:09
Ever wonder what happened to some of our OT entrepreneur trail blazers who went quiet?
If you've been around OT social media or podcasts, you probably know Trish Williams from her brand, OTs Get Paid. In this raw, honest conversation, Trish opens up about why you haven't heard from her in more than a year and it's not the story you might expect.
This episode is about what happens when your capacity fundamentally shifts. When perimenopause rewires your brain. When family crisis demands everything you have. When the version of yourself you've been living and sharing doesn't fit anymore. And when slowing down becomes the bravest thing you've ever done.
In this conversation, we explore:
The collision of perimenopause and family crisis that changed everything
Why Trish went back to being a mobile OT after thinking she'd "graduated" from that
How cognitive changes in perimenopause can feel like late-onset ADHD
The shame that comes with not being able to keep up anymore (and the rotting cooler story)
What it really means to slow down when your whole identity was about achieving
Redefining "brave", from launching businesses to getting reports done on time
The shift from hope to faith when life gets really hard
Building boundaries, finding what lights you up, and detaching with love
Why volunteering at Pride and Folk Fest became her community lifeline
The daily practices that keep her grounded (and why "scary thing" became "brave thing")
This episode is for you if:
You're noticing your capacity has shifted and you don't know what to do about it
You're in perimenopause or menopause and feeling completely disoriented
You're navigating a major life crisis while trying to keep your business/career going
You're tired of maintaining an image that doesn't fit who you are anymore
You need permission to slow down without giving up
You're a single parent or primary caregiver feeling stretched beyond your limits, even while parenting adult children
You want to hear what building a life that actually works for you looks like
Join the conversation in The BRAVE OT Facebook group- come share what "brave" looks like for you in your current season.
Questions OTs are searching:
What are perimenopause symptoms affecting my work?
How do I manage my OT practice with changing capacity?
Is it normal to feel burnt out as an occupational therapist?
Can I go back to clinical work after business coaching?
How do I pivot my OT career in midlife?
What does mobile OT work look like?
How do therapists handle family crisis while working?
Is perimenopause affecting my ADHD symptoms?
How do I slow down my OT practice without quitting?
What are signs of therapist burnout?
How do I rebuild my OT career after time away?
Ep. 50: Sustainable Practice - Purpose + Profit with Jason Stein
Saison 1 · Épisode 50
jeudi 9 octobre 2025 • Durée 01:04:26
Ep. 50: Sustainable Practice - Purpose + Profit with Jason Stein
In this milestone 50th episode of The BRAVE OT Podcast, I sit down with Jason Stein—acupuncturist, executive coach, and the cowboy-hat-wearing wellness practitioner who's mastered the art of building a sustainable occupational therapy practice that honors both purpose and profit. If you're an overwhelmed practice owner wondering how to create more vitality in your work and life, this conversation offers wisdom you can actually use.
Jason shares his journey from hospital-based integrative medicine to building a wellness center in rural Oregon (population: one person per two square miles), and how he helps founders and leaders find balance between making money and staying human. We explore Key Vitality Indicators (KVIs) instead of KPIs, why befriending money doesn't make you less spiritual, and the simple practices that are often the hardest to maintain—but create the most transformation.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
Why so many therapy practice owners experience burnout and what Key Vitality Indicators can tell you about your business health
How Jason shifted from perseverating about outcomes to surrendering control—and why ketamine therapy opened a door to deeper presence
The practical magic of closing your eyes for half a breath during heated conversations
Why making money and being a heart-centered healer aren't mutually exclusive (and how to befriend money like a best friend)
Natural rhythms, seasonal cycles, and why we've disrupted our connection to rest through electricity and hustle culture
How to build a values-based business that doesn't require you to abandon your love of nature, family dinners, or making really good ice cream
The truth about AI tools: when they help with self-reflection and when you need actual human connection
Ep. 49: Neurodivergent OTs Discuss Creating a Practice That Actually Works for You With Guest, Breanna James
Saison 1 · Épisode 49
mercredi 17 septembre 2025 • Durée 01:18:54
This week on The BRAVE OT Podcast: So many neurodivergent OTs like us have spent our careers trying to squeeze ourselves into systems that weren't designed for how our brains work, for our sensory needs, or for how our values need to align deeply with our work. It is a brave move to one day say "I'm going to create something that actually works for me."
Join me as I talk with Breanna James, an OT from Alaska who's been part of my ACTivate Vitality program and community for almost a year. Breanna specializes in supporting neurodivergent adults, and what I love about this conversation is how she talks about creating her private practice as her own accommodation - a way to work that honors both her neurodivergent brain and her values around authentic, client-centered care.
You'll hear how she moved from traditional settings that didn't quite fit into building something that works for her life as a parent, as a business owner, and as someone who needs flexibility and play in her work. We dive into why neurodivergent adults desperately need our OT services, how to bring play and creativity back into the mundane parts of business, and why you don't need another certification to start helping the people who need you most.
This conversation is for any OT who's been feeling like they need to practice differently, who's struggling with the loneliness of solo practice, or who's wondering if they're qualified enough to work with adult populations. If you've ever felt like you're trying to squeeze yourself into a mold that wasn't made for you, this episode will give you permission to create something that actually fits.
Key Topics We Discuss:
Creating private practice as your own accommodation for neurodivergent needs
Permission to practice OT authentically without fitting traditional molds
The power of community and connection for solo practitioners
Bringing playfulness back into business and clinical work
Why neurodivergent adults need OT services (beyond coaches or counselors)
Moving from burnout to sustainable, values-driven practice
Questions OTs Are Asking:
Ep. 48: The Mindset Shifts That Move You Through Fear and Into Entrepreneurial Action With Guest, Dr. Lorne Brown
Saison 1 · Épisode 48
vendredi 29 août 2025 • Durée 56:27
Waiting until you feel ready to make your next move? Convinced you need more training before you can call yourself an expert? Think entrepreneurs are just naturally fearless?
Join me as I talk with traditional Chinese medicine doctor, Dr. Lorne Brown, about the mindset shifts we need to make to move through fear and think like an entrepreneur. Lorne shares how he built a thriving practice by flipping conventional wisdom on its head, committing first to a meaningful challenge, then finding courage, building capability, and finally gaining confidence.
You'll hear his adaptation of Dan Sullivan's "Four Cs" framework for tackling scary ventures, how he persisted in building trust with referral partners, even when the doors kept closing, and the real story behind building something meaningful when you have no idea what you're doing. We explore how to reframe rejection as valuable feedback, why your niche might need to choose you, and the inner work (cognitive, emotional and spiritual) required to become a clear vessel for inspired action.
This conversation is for any practitioner who's been playing it safe, overthinking their next move, or struggling with the gap between wanting to grow and actually taking action. If you've ever felt paralyzed by not knowing enough or not being ready enough, this episode will shift how you think about courage, competence, and what it really takes to build something that matters.
Ep 47: The Messy Middle of Multiple Income Streams - My Behind-the-Scenes Business Reality
Saison 1 · Épisode 47
vendredi 8 août 2025 • Durée 30:48
How do you define success in your business? Is offering a variety of services scattered and unfocused or a wise path to multiple income streams? Or maybe success isn't about money at all for you?
I'm pulling back the curtain on my own current business reality, sharing the revenue proportions, time commitments, what energizes me versus what drains me, and the messy truth about having a podcast, online courses, a planner, private practice, and teaching gigs all under one roof.
You'll hear about my ACTivate Vitality program that represents a third of my income but takes twice the marketing effort I wish it did, my Practical ACT for OTs course that sells itself, and how my planner and podcast make up less than 5% of my revenue but remain worthwhile. I'm also talking about the unexpected pathways between my offerings, and how I make data-driven decisions for sustainable growth in my business satisfaction, and why I've chosen flexibility over indiscriminate scaling.
This episode is for any OT who's wondering whether they need to niche down or scale up in their business and those questioning how to define success in their own work and life.
Thanks to Jane for supporting the podcast and providing an EMR OTs can trust. and use the code VITALITY at signup for a one month grace period.
Ep. 46: Multi-Passionate OTs Creating Work They Love, One Layer at a Time with Guests, Áine O'Dea & Jen Trzeciak
Saison 1 · Épisode 46
vendredi 1 août 2025 • Durée 01:07:17
Ever feel like you're the only OT who doesn't have their career path mapped out? Like you should have it more figured out by now or you thought you were on the right path and something's not right?
Meet Áine and Jen, two multi-passionate OTs who've built thriving practices by embracing the messy, non-linear path of figuring it out as they go. From car crashes that changed everything to setting up businesses because "I don't really know what else to do," these two prove that sustainable, fulfilling OT careers don't require having it all planned out.
What You'll Learn
We explore how clinical supervision works as real professional development (not just another box to tick), practical ways to combat the isolation of solo practice, why starting with one client is enough to begin, and how to work with your ADHD brain instead of against it. Áine and Jen share the honest reality of career pivots, the power of getting help instead of doing everything yourself, and why the smallest therapeutic moments often create the biggest breakthroughs.
This episode is for multi-passionate OTs feeling scattered, anyone considering private practice but overwhelmed by where to start, OTs feeling isolated in their current work, and those ready to stop apologizing for not having a traditional career path.
Ep. 45: Burnout and Attuning to Your Inner Wisdom to Transform Your Business With Guest, Dr. Jess Reynolds
Saison 1 · Épisode 45
vendredi 1 août 2025 • Durée 01:16:16
What happens when your business feels out of alignment with who you are and you're brave enough to admit it?
In this episode of The BRAVE OT Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Jess Reynolds, a collaborator and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and educator, to talk about what it really looks like to reimagine your life and work from the inside out.
In this discussion we explore some of our lived and learned experiences including:
How inner work shapes outer success—and why it's often the part we skip
The hidden spiritual and identity layers of burnout
Why teaching can be the best way to learn (especially the stuff you most need yourself)
Disrupting default ways of practicing to make room for deeper alignment
The introvert table, mindfulness beyond meditation, and laundry piles as existential mirrors
Whether you're an OT in private practice, an educator, or a healing professional trying to find your footing, this is a real conversation about being human in your work.
I think you'll find AH-HAs in:
Jess's experience pivoting from teaching technique to teaching transformation
The gap between what practitioners need and what they actually seek out in CE
Why "just be yourself" isn't always accessible—and how to honor your capacity
The shift from pre-recorded courses to community-based learning
Personal stories of burnout, grief, reinvention, and finding flow again
Ep. 42: Navigating Competition and Collaboration as OT Copywriters with Guests, Jenny Gill and Krista Frahm
Saison 1 · Épisode 42
vendredi 1 août 2025 • Durée 01:10:42
In this episode, we hear from Jenny Gill and Krista Frahm, both occupational therapists and copywriters, as they discuss the dynamics of their professional relationship and the balance between collaboration and competition. They explore their individual journeys in the field, the importance of finding one's niche, and the challenges they faced when their paths intersected. The conversation delves into dealing with professional insecurities, the role of AI in copywriting, and practical advice for marketing occupational therapy services. You'll will gain insights into the value of collaboration, the nuances of creating effective marketing strategies, and the necessity of being courageous in business.
Join us in conversation about this podcast episode in our new online community.
🩵 And a big shoutout to our podcast sponsor, Jane.app. I'm grateful to be connected to this organization that feels deeply values-aligned.
Ep. 41: The Making of an OT Entrepreneur with Guest Interviewer Jacqueline Buhler
Saison 1 · Épisode 41
vendredi 1 août 2025 • Durée 58:32
On this episode of The BRAVE OT Podcast, I get to sit in the interviewee seat as OT student, Jacqueline Buhler, asks me questions about being an OT business owner!
Jacqueline brings her entrepreneurial spirit and curiosity as we discuss my experiences and reflections on choices I made and ways I adapted at different phases of my OT career and business.
We draw some parallels between the transition from OT student to emerging clinician and from OT to OT entrepreneurship, revealing how different traits and skills facilitate success. We explore how traits like adaptability, flexibiity, curiosity, self-awareness, and creative problem-solving are valuable skills to develop. This authentic dialogue offers both validation and practical insights for OTs questioning their entrepreneurial potential or wondering how to leverage their natural traits while charting their own unique path in practice.
Want to work with me?ACTivate Vitality is currently open for OT entrepreneurs like you if you would like to grow personally and professionally as the whole person at the centre of your business. Send me an email if this sounds like you! cneek@balanceworksot.ca
Connect with Jacqueline
Reach our guest host, soon to be emerging OT, Jacqueline for networking on this Google Form.
Sign Up with Jane
A shout-out to our sponsor, Jane, the EMR with heart. To see how Jane can help you reclaim your evenings and weekends, head over and meet Jane to book a personalized demo and, if you're ready to get started, you can use the code at the time of sign-up for a 1-month grace period applied to your new account.
Ep. 44: A Conversation with STEMinist Fiction Author and OT, Jaima Fixsen
Saison 1 · Épisode 44
lundi 7 juillet 2025 • Durée 01:04:01
A Lunchroom Conversation with STEMinist Fiction Author and OT, Jaima Fixsen
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jaima Fixsen, a Canadian occupational therapist and USA Today bestselling author who writes STEMinist fiction novels while balancing roles as a mom and OT. We dive deep into how she uses her OT skills to support her creative work and manage the unstructured nature of writing and the midlife desire to shift into new, more aligned occupations. Spoiler alert: tap dancing and sourdough didn't work out.
Whether you're an OT interested in creative pursuits, managing your own practice, or simply curious about applying OT principles to your own life and work, this conversation offers valuable insights about embracing new occupations while honoring our professional identity.
Key Topics We Discuss:
How Jaima transitioned from full-time OT to splitting her time between clinical practice and writing as a PAID occupation
The concept of "middle-essence" - finding new occupations and meaning in midlife transitions
Using OT strategies to manage executive function demands of creative work
Creating sensory-rich writing routines to support focus and flow
Setting boundaries and implementing behavioural strategies for productivity
The fascinating historical background of her latest novel "The Specimen" set in 1828 Edinburgh
The evolution of medical ethics and consent in anatomical studies
Supporting local bookstores
OT Insights to Apply in Your Own Work:
Strategies for managing unstructured work time
Creating supportive sensory environments
Breaking down large projects into manageable chunks
Setting appropriate goals and rewards
Managing perfectionism and task initiation
Détails sur The BRAVE OT Podcast | Real Conversations with Occupational Therapy Trailblazers, podcast de Carlyn Neek - OT Entrepreneur Coach, Educator, Founder of ACTivate Vitality
Some good health advice, "You can pay now or you can pay later, but you're gonna pay"
Jason Stein is an acupuncturist, executive coach, and storyteller who blends ancient wisdom with modern leadership. With more than 25 years of experience helping hundreds of people heal and thrive, he supports leaders, founders, and communities in finding the balance between purpose and profit. Jason co-owns Wallowa Avenue Wellness in Joseph, Oregon, and hosts the Wellness Renegades Podcast. When not working, he's outdoors with his wife and kids exploring the wilderness and living close to nature.
- Insight Timer app (meditation timer) - Jon Kabat-Zinn - "Full Catastrophe Living" - Kawa Model (Japanese river model for occupational therapy) - Alan Weiss - "Value-Based Consulting" - Marshall Rosenberg - Nonviolent Communication - Maisie Hill - "Period: The Real Talk You Need About Periods" - Claude AI (for business reflection and planning)
As we enter October, I'll be focusing my time less on marketing and more on deepening the work with practitioners in my community. If you've been waiting for the deadline to explore ACTivate Vitality with me, reach out this week while I'm still actively booking new conversations. Book a Clarity Call
The ACTivate Vitality Program is a community of occupational therapy and wellness practitioners who support each other in building sustainable, values-aligned businesses. We have group coaching calls, an online community, an ACT-based framework to build entrepreneurial and psychological flexibility, and 1:1 support.
About The BRAVE OT Podcast:
The BRAVE OT Podcast features occupational therapists and wellness practitioners doing innovative work and navigating the challenges of building sustainable therapy practices. Host Carlyn Neek provides coaching, mentorship, and community support for practice owners who want to thrive without the hustle.
Using AI tools to support clinical work
Breaking free from the "shoulds" and finding what actually works
Building teams and having vulnerable leadership conversations
Who This Episode Is For:
OTs feeling stuck in traditional employment settings
Solo practitioners experiencing loneliness and isolation
Neurodivergent OTs seeking accommodations in their work
Anyone questioning whether they're qualified to work with adult populations
OTs interested in supporting neurodivergent adults
As a listener of The BRAVE OT Podcast, we invite you to check out our favourite EMR, Jane.app and use the code VITALITY on your new Jane account for a one month grace period.
How can I create a private practice that works for my neurodivergent brain?
What support is available for OT business owners?
How can I improve my mindset as a business owner?
How do I overcome loneliness as a solo practitioner?
What's the difference between OT and coaching for neurodivergent adults?
How do I bring more play and creativity into my business?
Can occupational therapists help adults with executive functioning?
Do I need special certifications to work with autistic adults?
How do I start working with neurodivergent adults as an OT?
What does occupational therapy look like for adults with ADHD?
If the gap between you and sustainable action in making your business look like your dream job, reach out. The ACTivate Vitality program is taking new participants in September and we are really good at creating the safe space and accountability you need to implement just what Lorne and I talk about in this podcast.
Questions OTs are asking:
How do I overcome fear of starting my own practice?
What mindset do I need to be a successful healthcare entrepreneur?
How do I build confidence in my business abilities?
What's the difference between successful and struggling practitioners?
How do I know when I'm ready to take the leap?
Meet Jane
Jane is an EMR with heart and also the sponsor of The BRAVE OT Podcast. I recently wrote a blog article on how I customized Jane's AI Scribe feature to write chart notes that are better quality and more occupationally focused than my notes have every been before. Read the blog here and, if you decide to sign up, be sure to use the code VITALITY for a one month grace period as listender of this podcast.
Questions OTs are asking: How do I create multiple income streams as an OT? What does a successful OT business really look like? How do I balance multiple projects without burning out? Is it better to niche down or diversify? How much money can you make as an entrepreneur OT?
Emails available on their respective social media profiles
Join the Conversation
Head over to The BRAVE OT Facebook group to continue this conversation about supervision, private practice, and owning our professional worth. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Explore the ACTivate Vitality Planner
The personal development planner (made by me!) that blends science and soul to guide you towards a vibrant, authentic, values-driven life. Now is a great time for a new start! Check it out here.
Change Your Relationship with Documentation
Not only will you get to explore the tool that we have all been wishing for that magically makes great chart notes while you're busy working directly with your client, you can also use my code VITALITY for a one month grace period on your new Jane account. Book a demo today.
🎧 Subscribe to The BRAVE OT Podcast on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Did you know Jane won a 2025 Bronze Stevie Award for Customer Service Department of the Year – Computer Software! Out of 2,100+ entries from around the world, it's no surprize that Jane's world-class support stood out.
🩵 If you're ready to check Jane out, head over and book a demo HERE and use my code VITALITY for a one month grace period on a new account.
VITALITY
Techniques to find creative flow and stay healthy
Resources Mentioned:
The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen - find it at your local bookstore
Get 2 free audiobooks at Libro.fm while supporting a local bookstore of your choice
Explore the Jane.app's time-saving writing features, including my fave AI Scribe, with a one month grace period on your new account using the code VITALITY
