Ep. 51: Redefining Brave When Everything Changes With Trish Williams

Ep. 51: Redefining Brave When Everything Changes With Trish Williams

Author: Carlyn Neek - OT Entrepreneur Coach, Educator, Founder of ACTivate Vitality November 1, 2025 Duration: 1:14:09

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

Connect with Trish: Email: trish@trishwilliamsconsulting.ca and listen to the OTs Get Paid Podcast

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?

Hosted by Carlyn Neek, an OT entrepreneur coach and educator, The BRAVE OT Podcast | Real Conversations with Occupational Therapy Trailblazers is a space for honest dialogue about the evolving landscape of occupational therapy. This isn't about abstract theory; it's grounded in the real-world experiences of practitioners who are actively reshaping their careers and the profession itself. Each conversation delves into what it means to build a meaningful practice, whether that's in clinical settings, through entrepreneurial ventures, or by advocating for systemic change. You'll hear stories of navigating challenges, redefining success beyond burnout, and discovering innovative ways to serve clients. The discussions naturally weave together the science of occupational therapy with the practicalities of business and the social impact of the work. Listening to this podcast feels like joining a candid mentorship circle, one that values curiosity and growth over perfection. It’s for OTs who are ready to examine their assumptions, try new approaches, and find a deeper sense of fulfillment in their professional journey. Carlyn brings her perspective as the founder of ACTivate Vitality to these interviews, fostering talks that are both supportive and provocatively thoughtful, always aimed at empowering therapists to live their mission more fully.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 58

The BRAVE OT Podcast | Real Conversations with Occupational Therapy Trailblazers
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