occupational therapy assistant

Discussion Points:

• Be you
• Adovcate
• Never stop learning
• Build your community
• Live the lyfe you want to be living

Connect with the show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/

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On this episode of OTPreneur, Sarah and Jayson discuss the importance of validating your idea when starting a new project or business. 

We share our experiences and insights on how to validate ideas and gather feedback from your target audience. The episode covers various methods of validation, including offering discounts to people on a waitlist or presale, engaging with Facebook groups and attending live events and conferences. We also emphasize the value of social media in gathering feedback and understanding what people want. 

Sarah and Jayson share personal stories of how they validated their own business ideas, such as starting a podcast and private practice. They discuss the fear that comes with starting a new venture and the importance of being open to change and trying new things. 

The episode concludes with a discussion on monetizing the business, conducting market research, and understanding competition. 

Join Sarah and Jayson on this episode of OTPreneur to learn more about the power of validation and feedback in entrepreneurship.

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Thanks for tuning in! We'll see you next time

Discussion Points:

• Why I love working in early intervention
• Other settings I could see myself working in 

Mentioned resources: 

• Early Intervention for Motor Performance- OT Potential Podcast
• Why We Love Early Intervention- The Real OTs of Early Intervention
• Incorporating Dogs into Animal Assisted Therapy
• Bunnies and Ducks and Llamas, Oh My!
• How To Train a Therapy Dog

Connect with the show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

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Contact the Show

• Ask me a question
• Leave me a voicemail

Discussion Points:

• Introducing OTPreneur

Mentioned resources: 

• OTPreneur Podcast
• OT Schoolhouse

Connect with the show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

_________________________________

Contact the Show

• Ask me a question
• Leave me a voicemail
• To subscribe to the podcast, click here
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ot4lyfe

Olga, Emma, and Sarah discuss: 

• A memorable moment from a past congress
• Traveling to a congress
• Collaborating with OT practitioners from across the globe
• What we’ve learned from attending a WFOT congress?
• Professional and personal impact from attending a WFOT congress 
• Tips for making the most of the congress
• Ways to be involved 
• Things to consider outside of the congress

Mentioned Resources: 

• WFOT 2022 Congress Registration 
• World Federation of Occupational Therapists website  
• OTION Forum
• Occupied Podcast episode with WFOT President Samantha Shann

Connect with the Guests

•  Emma George, PhD MPH, MHID, B App Sc (OT)
  • Email: emma.george@adelaide.edu.au
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmKGeorge
  • Website: https://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/emma.george
• Olga Asrun Stefánsdóttir 
  • Email: olgastef@unak.is
  • Website: https://www.unak.is/english/moya/ugla/staff/olga-asrun-stefansdottir

Connect with the Show

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

Sponsor: World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Topics discussed: 

• The opportunity I was honored to be a part of
• The power of doing and not just saying or telling
• Always learning
• How our personal lives can shape our professional lens

Mentioned Resources: 

• 100 Episode Celebration: Why of OT Schoolhouse
• Thoughts on How OTs Can Talk About OT
• I'm Bringing Occupation Back (Yeah!)

Connect with the show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

Audrey and Sarah discuss: 

• Pivotal moment in your lyfe in regards to your limb differences
• Importance of language
• Types of limb differences
• Congenital versus acquired limb differences
• Her experience going from patient to practitioner
• Mental health implications for people with limb differences
• Advocating for herself and others
• Disclosing your disability on job applications
• Parenting kids with limb differences
• Occupational therapy’s role in working with people with limb differences

Mentioned Resources:

• Stella Young’s Ted Talk: “I’m not your inspiration thank you very much”
• Judith Heumann: “Our fight for disability rights - and why we’re not done yet.”
• Symbrachydactyly - mentions benefits of OT & hand camps
• Children with upper limb differences have better emotional health
• Amputee Coalition
• Lucky Fin Project
• IAmPossible Foundation
• Reach Charity
• CDC: Upper and Lower Limb Reduction Defects

Connect with Audrey

• Email: theamplifiedot@gmail.com
• Instagram Link: https://instagram.com/theamplifiedot

Connect with the show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• OT 4 Lyfe Discord Server: Click here to create a free account and sign in
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

#003 - How COTA, Cari Readle, went from being a follower throughout her career to owning a health franchise! Alternative career change to franchise business owner. 

For links and show notes from this episode, head to:

https://rehabrebels.org/003

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Discussion Points:

• My emergency surgery experience
• Planning for having a baby with work and finances
• Positioning at night for optimal comfort while pregnant
• Navigating pregnancy/ motherhood while also being an OT practitioner
• The role of OT in postpartum depression
• Advice to parents when you don’t have kids of your own

Mentioned Resources: 

• What About the Mama Podcast- episode 23
• Recognizing the Importance of Self Care for OT Practitioners with Nancy
• It’s Okay to Take a Break
• The Occupation of Being Pregnant with Miranda Donnelly
• Alexis Joelle
• Mornings With an OT Mom with Danielle Delorenzo
• Reina from Telehealth OT
• Lisa Westhorpe from Nurture OT
• Surabhi Veitch from The Passionate Physio

For more information, check out www.ot4lyfe.com. 

Miranda and Sarah discuss: 

• Changes in our identities  since becoming pregnant
• Occupational transitions  during pregnancy
• Expectations of pregnancy versus reality
• The realness of brain fog 
• Maternal mental health 
• Impact of our work on family planning
• Pregnancy hacks
• Mentioned Resources: 
  • Podcasts
    • What About the Mama?
    • Best of Both Worlds
  • Instagram
    • @thepassionatephysio
    • @pregnant.postpartum.athlete
  • YouTube
    • GlowBodyPT
    • Kids OT Help
  • Apps/ Website
    • What To Expect 
    • Ovia
  • Book 
    • Mama Natural

Connect with Miranda

• Website: www.otuncorked.com
• Email: miranda@otuncorked.com
• Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/otuncorked/
• Twitter Link: https://www.twitter.com/otuncorked
• Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/otuncorked

Contact the Show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

Discussion Points:

• Types of occupational therapy associations
• The importance of being a member of your OT associations
• Benefits of OT associations
• Association conferences
• Cost and payment schedule of membership
• Non-OT associations
• OT 4 Lyfe & OT Schoolhouse Giveaway

Mentioned resources: 

• For a chance to win a $50 giftcard, here’s the link: https://bit.ly/3tW1Owt
  • Giveaway ends April 16, 2021
• American Occupational Therapy Association
  • Cost
  • Benefits
• World Federal of Occupational Therapists
  • Cost

Connect with Jayson: 

• Website URL: https://www.otschoolhouse.com/
• Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/otschoolhouse/
• Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/OTSchoolHouse
• Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/OTSchoolHouse

Connect with the show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

Mindy and Sarah discuss:

• Why do people need to have basic knowledge about money? 
• Financial independence
• What to focus on first with your money
• Alternate sources of income for OT practitioners
• Investing tips
• Investing with student loans
• Advice for paying off student loans
• Negotiating salary
• Navigating finances with a business

Mentioned resources: 

• Dave Ramsey
• Student Loan Planner
• SOFI

Bigger Pockets Money Podcast episodes

• Chelsea Brennan- episode 145
• Craig Curelop- episode 35
• Erin Lowry- episode 81
• Liz Thames- episode 10
• Student Loan Forgiveness Plan- episode coming soon

Connect with Mindy: 

• Email: mindy@biggerpockets.com
• Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/mindyatbp
• Twitter Link: https://www.twitter.com/mindyatbp
• Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/mindyatbp
• Website URL: www.biggerpockets.com/moneyshow

Connect with the show: 

• Subscribe: https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe/ 
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe

Takeaways:

• Navigating every experience as a learning opportunity 
• Sarah’s level 2 fieldwork experiences 
• Learning throughout her years as a new grad
• Figuring out this past year as a business owner
• There is always something to learn even when things don’t go as planned

Mentioned Resources: 

• Level 2 Fieldwork During a Pandemic: https://ot4lyfe.com/104
• Fieldwork Resources

Connect with the Show

• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/

Join in the Discussion: 

• Answer the Question of the Month
• Chime in your thoughts on the episode

Allison, Allie and Sarah discuss: 

• One word to sum up your experience in level 2 fieldwork as a whole
• What their placements were supposed to look like and what they ended up being like
• Thoughts about their safety working with patients in-person during a pandemic
• Tips to advocate for yourself as a student
• Tips to prepare for level 2 fieldwork
• Setbacks and challenges they faced
• Importance of navigating occupational balance  as a student and practitioner
• Experience with teletherapy as a student
• Advice for students currently on or about to embark on the fieldwork journey
• Insight to share with fieldwork educators from the student perspective

Mentioned Resources:

• Level 2  Fieldwork Prep Guide for OT SNF by Allie Watkins
• Study Binders from OT Caroline
• Pedretti Occupational Therapy book
• How To Talk So Kids Will Listen book

Connect with Allison

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisontheotstudent/
• Website: https://allisontheotstudent.home.blog/

Connect with Allie 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patchesofot
• Website: https://patchesofot.com
• Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/patches-of-ot/1509064501

Discussion Points:

• Finding your why in OT entrepreneurship
• Barriers and hurdles faced when starting a company 
• The most important thing every OT entrepreneur needs to have

Mentioned Resources: 

• Spotlight Interview with Sarah Putt: Transcending Your Comfort Zone as a Private Practice Entrepreneur 
• Mistakes and Mindset in Entrepreneurship
• Minding Our OT Business with Laura Park Figueroa
• The Business Side of Occupational Therapy with Brandon Seigel
• The Entrepreneur Mindset on Occupied Podcast

Join in the Discussion: 

• Answer the Question of the Month
• Chime in your thoughts on the episode
• Catch the latest interview episode: https://ot4lyfe.com/102

Contact the Show: 

• Subscribe to the show:  https://ot4lyfe.com/subscribe
• Website:  https://ot4lyfe.com
• Instagram:  @ot.4.lyfe
• Twitter:  @ot4lyfe

Trish and Sarah discuss: 

• Do OT practitioners need to go to business school to become a successful entrepreneur?
• The why behind starting her business
• What she knew about business before she started and how she learned along the way
• Going from working in your business versus on your business
• Becoming a CEO
• How she went from running a private practice to coaching other OT entrepreneurs
• The hardest thing for OT entrepreneurs to overcome
• Owning your no as an entrepreneur
• Advice for an entrepreneur who feels stuck in their business right now and wants to take their business to the next level
• Mentioned Resources:
  • Trish’s Freebie:
    • 5 Tips for Acting Like a CEO
    • The OT Entrepreneur Summit
  • Podcasts
    • Biz Chix
    • Systems Saved Me
    • The Online Business Show
    • The Life Coach School
    • Mind Your Business
    • Online Marketing Made Easy
    • School of Podcasting
    • Mind your OT Business
    • The OT Lifestyle Movement
    • OTs Gone Rogue
  • Books
    • The E-Myth by Michael Gerber
    • Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
    • The One Thing by Gary Keller
    • The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
    • Built To Sell by John Warrillow
    • Good To Great by Jim Collins
    • Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port
    • This I Know by Terry O’Reilly

Connect with Trish

• Facebook Group: OTs Get Paid
• Instagram: Trish Williams Consulting
• OTs Get Paid podcast

Mentioned Episodes: 

• Episode 50: A Year in the Lyfe
• Episode 100: The Good, the Bad, and Like Umm Ya Know th Ugly
• Working in a Behavioral Inpatient Mental Health Unit with Danielle Miles
• Navigating Life with Cancer-Related Lymphadema with Emilia Dewi
• Flourishing as an OT Practitioner Through Personal Experience with Mandy Chamberlain
• Trauma Sensitive Care for Healthcare Practitioners with Taelor Millsap 
• The Impact of OT in the Prison Setting with Kwaku Ayegmang
• Learning How to Money with Joel Larsgaard 
• Positive Approach to Dementia Care with Jenna Mele
• Recognizing the Importance of Self Care for OT Practitioners with Nancy 
• Early Intervention with an OT Mom with Danielle Delorenzo
• Thinking and Learning Through an Occupational Lens with Brock Cook
• Building Positive Foundations Through Collaboration with Connie Hunt 
• Diverse OT: Leadership and Advocacy for Minorities in Healthcare with Michelle DeJesus
• Pediatric Therapy From the Parent’s Perspective with Effie Parks 
• You’re Favorite Creative Treatment Ideas- Lyfer of the the Month Emily Deller
• Tips and Tricks To Get and Stay Organized- Lyfer of the Month Krysta Grande
• Recommend Continuing Education Resources- Lyfer of the Month Kate Tutor 
• Advice For OT and OTA Students- Lyfer of the Month Jhenny Berry OT
• OT Gift Ideas- Lyfer of the Month Candie Cintron
• Your Favorite OT Resources- Lyfer of the Month Lauren Burns
• Working in Early Intervention as a New Grad with Amirra Johnson
• How To Train a Therapy Dog with Crystal Cabrera
• Making Shoes For All Abilities with Joseph DiFrancisco  
• Creating Success in Non-Traditional Roles as an OT Assistant with Dave Merlo
• It’s Not Just Joint Pain: Occupational Therapy’s Unique Role in Arthritis Life with Cheryl Crow
• Sex, Love, and Occupational Therapy with Sakshi Tickoo
• Can Movement Change the World with Kim Lowack
• The Other Half of Occupational Therapy with Chris Delorenzo, Sean Donnelly, Mark Petix & Ray Putt

Contact the Show

• Fill out the survey
• Ask me a question
• Leave me a voicemail
• To subscribe to the podcast, click here
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Clubhouse: @ot.4.lyfe
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ot4lyfe

Check out my other projects: 

• The OT Roundtable
• The Real OTs of Early Intervention

Brock and Sarah discuss:

• Our biggest podcast mistakes
• What we have learned throughout this journey
• The best and hardest parts of starting and continuing to do an OT podcast
• Changes we have seen with OT podcasts since we started
• Important components to a podcast
• What's changed over the years
• The future of our shows 

Mentioned resources: 

• Unpacking Colonized Thinking
• Dev (they/them) and Brock (he/him) Deep Dive into Gender, Identity and Stigma 
• Sensory Integration and the Transformation From Clinic to Home
• Listen to Brock and Sarah on The OT Roundtable

Connect with Brock

• Website: http://www.occupiedpodcast.com/
• Email: brock.cook@me.com
• Instagram: @occupiedpodcast
• Twitter: @brockcookot

Contact the Sarah

• Ask me a question
• Leave me a voicemail
• To subscribe to the podcast, click here
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Clubhouse: @ot.4.lyfe
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ot4lyfe

Discussion Points:

• Question of the Month- What are your reflections from the year 2020? What did you learn? What obstacles did you overcome or are working to overcome?
  • Dr. Sakshi Tickoo @sex.love.andot
  • Brock Cook @occupiedpodcast
  • Alexis Joelle @8alexisjoelle
  • Anna @beyondcovid
  • Nancy @lovelyy_ot
• My reflections
• Lyfer of the Month
• Next question of the month: 
  • What questions do you have about money in occupational therapy? 
  • Call in with your questions and I will answer them, maybe with the help of some of my money expert friends
  • Answer here: ot4lyfe.com/questionofthemonth

Mentioned resources: 

• Sex, Love, and Occupational Therapy with Dr. Sakshi Tickoo
• Thinking and Learning Through an Occupational Lens with Brock Cook
• What Does My Depression Look Like?- Occupied Podcast
• Creating Confidence and an Occupation-Based Mindset with Alexis Joelle
• Recognizing the Importance of Self-care for OT Practitioners with Nancy
• It’s Okay to Take a Break
• Thoughts on Covid-19
• Best of Occupational Therapy (BOOT) blog post 6/10/2020
• The Real OTs of Early Intervention
• The OT Roundtable

Contact the Show

• Ask me a question
• Leave me a voicemail
• To subscribe to the podcast, click here
• Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/
• Clubhouse: @ot.4.lyfe
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ot4lyfe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ot4lyfe

Takeaways:

• Not all service and therapy animals are the same
• Recognizing how and when or when not to utilize animals in therapy 
• The power of incorporating animals into therapy 

Mentioned Resources: 

• Bunnies and Ducks and Llamas, Oh My! 
• Incorporating Dogs into Animal Assisted Therapy
• Temple Grandin Books
• Americans With Disabilities Act and American Kennel Club resources 

Join in the Discussion: 

• Answer the Question of the Month
• Catch the full episode: https://ot4lyfe.com/97