Ep. 57: Unbecoming - What Turning 50 Is Teaching Me About Authentic OT Practice and Letting Go

Ep. 57: Unbecoming - What Turning 50 Is Teaching Me About Authentic OT Practice and Letting Go

Author: Carlyn Neek - OT Entrepreneur Coach, Educator, Founder of ACTivate Vitality April 21, 2026 Duration: 33:21

In this solo episode, I'm getting deeply personal about turning 50 and everything that milestone is teaching me about values-based occupational therapy practice, sustainable work, and letting go of the structures we've inherited without examining them. If you're an OT who's ever felt like the practice you built for a previous version of yourself is now running you, or if you're navigating your own season of role transition, professional identity, and the ache to do things differently, this episode was made for you. I share the concept of the crone archetype, my experience teaching entrepreneurial thinking at the University of Alberta, and how ACTivate Vitality is helping OTs deinstitutionalize their thinking and build practices that actually fit their lives.


In This Episode, I Talk About:

  • What it means to embrace the "crone era" and why our culture gets it so wrong
  • The crone as threshold, not ending: moving from people-pleasing into authentic purpose
  • Why so many OTs become victims of their own success and how to build a practice that serves you again
  • Deinstitutionalizing OT thinking: the beginner's mindset as an entrepreneurial superpower
  • What I've been teaching in my entrepreneurship module at the University of Alberta and how it applies to your OT practice
  • How I use ACT in ACTivate Vitality to help OTs sort through what's next
  • How ACT helps us discern: am I saying yes from values alignment, or from fear?
  • Navigating ADHD, perimenopause, and role transitions all at once 
  • My upcoming Entrepreneurial Thinking Workshop and how you can join

Resources & Links


Learn More About ACTivate Vitality

ACTivate Vitality is my coaching community for occupational therapy practice owners who are ready to build sustainable, values-aligned businesses without the hustle. If you've built something successful and now it's running you instead of serving you, this is the space to sort through what needs to change.

We have group coaching calls, an online community, an ACT-based framework to build entrepreneurial and psychological flexibility, and 1:1 support. It's not about hustling harder, it's about getting clear on what matters and building a practice that fits your actual life.

👉 Book a Clarity Call: https://tidycal.com/carlyn/clarity-call


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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