OT Podcast – OT 4 Lyfe

Minding Our OT Business with Laura Park Figueroa

Posted on August 20, 2019August 19, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Ever wanted to start your own OT business? Or do you have one and want to up your business game? If yes, this episode is for you. Laura Park Figueroa, MS, OTR/L joins the show to discuss all things OT and business. We discuss the mindset as an entrepreneur, she shares her mistakes and successes on the path to building and running a private practice, and she provides numerous helpful resources throughout the episode. This episode is a must listen for any OT entrepreneurs or aspiring OT entrepreneurs.

Show Notes

Sarah and Laura discuss:

Why we need more OTs starting their own practices and businesses
Why OTs do not embark on the entrepreneur journey
The importance of exposing students to business
Taking the chance and leaning into the discomfort of starting something new
Writing things down and setting intentions
The mindset of being an entrepreneur
Donald Miller- Building a Story Brand Podcast: http://buildingastorybrand.com/blog/
Surrounding yourself with supportive people
The OT Podcast community: http://www.otpodcasts.com/
The PT Entrepreneur Podcast: http://drdannymatta.com/the-p-t-entrepreneur-podcast/
The hardest part of starting a business
Her biggest mistake
Business finances
Importance of building systems and being efficient
Working on your business versus in your business
Resources for business owners/ systems
NOLO Press Book: https://store.nolo.com/products/
Profit First book
You Need a Budget: https://www.youneedabudget.com/
Michael Port:
Beyond Booked Solid
Book Yourself Solid
Checklist Manifesto: https://www.amazon.com/Checklist-Manifesto-How-Things-Right-ebook/dp/B0030V0PEW
Nature-based retreat- Therapy in the Great Outdoors: https://www.outdoorkidsot.com/training
CONTIGO- Connection and Transformation in the Great Outdoors: https://www.outdoorkidsot.com/contigo-approach
Mind Your OT Business Podcast: https://www.mindyourotbusiness.com/

Email: laura@outdoorkidsot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/outdoorkidsot

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraparkfig

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindyourotbusiness

Website: http://www.mindyourotbusiness.com

Podcast: https://www.mindyourotbusiness.com/podcast

Transitions and Reflections of a Millennial OT with Grant Mitchell

Posted on August 5, 2019August 4, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Occupations and views change and transition over time. In this episode, Grant Mitchell MOT, OTR/L shares his journey through his current occupational transitions: from new grad to full time practitioner, from working in mental health to working in inpatient rehabilitation, from living in Minnesota to living in Florida, and from being single to married with a child and how these changes have impacted his occupations and his view of occupational therapy. Grant reflects on how his lens of occupational therapy has shifted over the years and the influence that it has had on his personal and professional story.

Show Notes

Sarah and Grant discuss:

Occupational transitions
Difficulties finding a job as a new graduate
Why he became an OT and how it has impacted his life since
How he got his start in inpatient rehab and mental health
MH4OT on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MH4OT/
AOTA’s Mental Health Special Interest Section: https://www.aota.org/Practice/Manage/SIS/Mental-Health.aspx
Getting connected with Mental Health in Minnesota
His changing mindset with the mental health crisis in the United States
Transitioning into the history of occupational therapy
His background in programming for student housing
Using videos to capture OT history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z82KPntY3GA
The paradox of distraction and diversion therapy
Occupational therapy practice framework: https://www.aota.org/Publications-News/AmericanJournalOfOccupationalTherapy/access-framework-domain-otpf-download.aspx
Occupational transitions and disruptions
Instilling self-awareness in our clients to facilitate the therapeutic process
Hygge: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Hygge-Danish-Secrets/dp/0062658808
Meik Wiking Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbtzY-8IFTQ

Millennial OT: http://millennialot.com/

Email: MillennialOT@gmail.com

Twitter: Twitter.com/millennialOT

Instagram: Instagram.com/millennialOT

Facebook: Facebook.com/MillennialOT

Youtube: Youtube.com/MillennialOT

Battling The Burnout with Erika del Pozo

Posted on July 8, 2019July 14, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Working in healthcare can be a very rewarding career, but it also presents some unique challenges. Nowadays, productivity levels have increased exponentially, caseloads have become unruly, expectations have continued to grow without any sign of slowing down, while we as therapists are left to pick up the pieces, keep up with the changes, and do the best work that we can. Unfortunately, the increasing demands within the workplace have had significant implications on us as therapists, ultimately leading many therapists to become burnt out.

Erika del Pozo MOT, OTR/L from Joy Energy Time and the Burnt Out to Lit Up podcast comes on the show today to share her personal journey with burnout and how this has ignited a passion for promoting education and awareness about the topic as it relates to healthcare professionals.

Show Notes

Sarah and Erika discuss:

Meeting at AOTA 2019 and what they took away from the conference
Anxiety and stress of being in OT school
Factors of burnout
How the symptoms of burnout can become the new norm and go unnoticed
The importance of having your values line up with you work’s values
How the lack of autonomy can lead to burnout
Bullying and burnout
Her personal experience with burnout
Gastrointestinal issues linked to burnout
Importance of self-care with a focus on both internal and external recovery
Unplugging and taking time to enjoy life
Being mindful instead of mindless
Self-management and not just time management
Prioritizing time
First thing she did when realizing that she was burnt out
Gratitude journal
How she combats burnout in her daily life
Advice for therapists facing burnout
Utilizing resources, professionals, and a support system to help you
Employee Engagement Survey: https://joyenergytime.mykajabi.com/employeeengagement
Affirmation Cards
Joy Energy Time: https://www.joyenergytime.com/
Burnt Out to Lit Up Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burnt-out-to-lit-up-healthcare-stress-burnout-wellness/id1332553896
Healthcare Hangouts: https://www.joyenergytime.com/healthcarehangouts/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.energy.time/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyenergytime/

The Ins and Outs of the AOTA Conference

Posted on March 17, 2019March 17, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Attending conferences is a great way to learn new things and connect with people within the occupational therapy community. And one of the biggest events each year within the United States is the American Occupational Therapy Association conference. This episode details specifics about what the AOTA conference looks like, how to prepare, and tips on how to make for successful conference experience.

Show Notes

What it looks like?

Four days (Thursday, Friday, Saturday are full days, Sunday is a half day)
Pre-Conference institutes on Wednesday
Workshops, Short Courses, Research presentations, Conversations that Matter, Posters, Expo Hall, Alumni receptions
Presidential Address, Eleanor Clark Slagle Lecture, First Timer’s orientation, Fitness Events
Blood Drive and Book Drive this year

Benefits of going as a practitioner:

Continuing education units (up to 24)
Exposure to new research/ practice areas
Networking/ meeting like minded people
Inspiration and motivation

Attending as a student:

Some schools offer a conference scholarship
Student specific courses and presentations
Networking with other students and practitioners
Winning a free NBCOT exam

My favorite parts:

International Breakfast
Opening Ceremony
Keynote address
Grand Opening of the Expo Hall
Tweet Up
Meeting new friends and reconnecting with old friends

Tips to Prepare:

Business cards
Notebook and pen or notepad on phone to write down notes/ contact info for people you meet
Water bottle
Extra battery & charging cords for phones/ computers
Wear comfortable shoes
Bring a sweater or coat
If going with a group, split up for courses and then share notes
Connect with people online beforehand
Be prepared that you can’t do it all

Other Resources:

If you have questions or comments, hit me up on social media:

Instagram: @ot.4.lyfe
Twitter: @ot4lyfe
Facebook: ot4lyfe

How Deep is Your Love For OT with Michael Roberts

Posted on February 11, 2019February 10, 2019 by Sarah

Episode Summary

Dr. Michael Roberts, OTD, OTR/L, is the founder and current program director of the master’s degree program in Occupational Therapy at Regis College, in Boston Massachusetts. He has a strong passion for all things occupational therapy, as well as educating and empowering current occupational therapy students. His clinical background focused on adult physical dysfunction (inpatient, outpatient, and home care) with a specialty in oncology rehabilitation. He has completed research in fieldwork performance and next generation gaming consoles (Nintendo Wii) for health and wellness purposes, as well as presented at numerous state and national conferences, and independent oncology rehabilitation seminars. Dr. Roberts is the creator and host of the “I Love OT Podcast”, a show that highlights what is special, exciting, unique, and rewarding about the field of occupational therapy. His dedication and excitement for our profession pours out through his words as he shares wonderful stories and insightful wisdom from his OT experiences.

Show Notes

Dr. Michael Roberts, OTD, OTR/L, is the founder and current program director of the master’s degree program in Occupational Therapy at Regis College, in Boston Massachusetts. He has a strong passion for all things occupational therapy, as well as educating and empowering current occupational therapy students. His clinical background focused on adult physical dysfunction (inpatient, outpatient, and home care) with a specialty in oncology rehabilitation. He has completed research in fieldwork performance and next generation gaming consoles (Nintendo Wii) for health and wellness purposes, as well as presented at numerous state and national conferences, and independent oncology rehabilitation seminars. Dr. Roberts is the creator and host of the “I Love OT Podcast”, a show that highlights what is special, exciting, unique, and rewarding about the field of occupational therapy. His dedication and excitement for our profession pours out through his words as he shares wonderful stories and insightful wisdom from his OT experiences.

Sarah and Michael discuss:

Michael’s current OT life
Scope of working as a clinician vs being an educator
His journey from clinical OT to being in academia
Working in the home environment with children and adults
The importance of being a fieldwork educator and what it provides for students, practitioners, and clients
His research in fieldwork education
Setting up an open communicate and a reflective process during the fieldwork process
How student’s own ideas and activities foster the therapeutic process
Thinking outside the box for each individual client
Importance of occupation based practice within the natural environment
Challenging aspects of OT/ getting knee deep in our client’s lives
Memorable stories from the field
How OTs have keen observation skills within their practice and in their personal lives
Why Michael got into podcasting
What he loves about OT
Staying curious and continuing to learn within our profession

Find the I Love OT podcast here: http://iloveotpodcast.libsyn.com/

Twitter: @otdaddy

Instagram: @realotdaddy