Show Summary:

Feeling burnt out in your career—or wondering what it would take to pivot into something that truly aligns with your values, even with student loans and financial responsibilities? In this episode, I’m joined by occupational therapist–turned–holistic nutritionist Cassaundra Lindsay, who shares her journey from traditional OT practice and deep burnout to running a business that lights her up. She opens up about the guilt and fear of leaving a profession she’d trained for, how she navigated the financial side of stepping away from a steady paycheck, and the mindset and money shifts that gave her permission to choose a new path. Whether you’re feeling out of alignment in your current role or curious about what it takes to make a big career pivot, this conversation is full of honesty, encouragement, and practical insight.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• What first drew Cassaundra to the OT profession

• The moment she realized traditional practice was no longer aligned

• The guilt and fear that came with leaving OT while still having student loans

• How she approached the financial side of her pivot

• The mindset and money shifts that helped her choose a new path

• What her business, Nourish Freely, looks like today

• Encouragement for anyone considering a career change

Guest Bio:

Cassaundra Lindsay is a Holistic Nutritionist and the founder of Nourish Freely. She helps busy individuals struggling with low energy, digestive issues, and confusion around nutrition. Through her 3-month coaching program, Cassaundra offers personalized support to get to the root cause of symptoms so her clients can stop guessing, start healing, and feel confident in their bodies again. Her signature approach simplifies nutrition, boosts energy, heals digestion, and empowers clients to be in control of their health without relying on caffeine, crash diets, or constant Googling. She created this business after healing her own energy and digestive challenges as well as seeing a gap in Western Medicine during her time working as an OT.

Connect with Cassuandra:

• Follow Cassaundra on Social Media: Instagram | LinkedIn
• Connect with the Nourish Freely Community: Website

Show Summary:

Struggling with student loan debt—or wondering how to make financial progress without sacrificing your well-being? In this episode, I’m joined by physical therapist Sunny to explore how she’s tackling over $200K in student loan debt while prioritizing her mental health, self-worth, and joy. Sunny shares her journey, the mindset shifts and strategies that have worked for her, and how she balances repayment with living a meaningful life. Whether you’re facing a big loan balance or looking for ways to protect your peace while paying down debt, this conversation is full of insights and encouragement.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• 
  
• • Sunny’s journey into physical therapy and how she decided to aggressively tackle her student loans
  • Mindset shifts that helped her stay motivated and consistent

• Strategies she’s using to make real progress on over $200K of debt

• Balancing debt repayment with self-care, joy, and overall well-being

• Encouragement for anyone navigating their own student loan journey

Guest Bio:

Sunny, DPT, is a physical therapist based in Los Angeles with experience in home health, acute care, and outpatient orthopedics.

Connect with Sunny:

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• Follow Sunny on Social Media: Instagram

Show Summary:

Thinking about homeschooling as an OT—or wondering how to create a values-aligned life that balances career, family, and passion projects? In this episode, I’m joined by OT mom and entrepreneur Sarah Collins to explore why OTs are uniquely equipped to pursue homeschooling. Sarah shares her journey, how her OT skills naturally support a homeschooling lifestyle, and the lessons she’s learned juggling business, motherhood, and education. Whether you’re curious about homeschooling or exploring alternative career paths, this conversation is full of insights and inspiration.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• How Sarah’s OT background shapes her approach to homeschooling

• The natural overlap between OT skills and teaching kids at home

• Lessons from balancing business ownership, motherhood, and homeschooling

• Encouragement for OTs considering nontraditional career and family paths

Guest Bio:

Sarah Collins, MSOT, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and homeschooling consultant dedicated to helping parents align homeschooling with their children’s unique needs. Through her platform HomeschoolOT, she provides personalized consultations, teaches month-long courses on key topics, fosters community through group and individual coaching, and speaks at national conferences. Her work empowers parents to build learning environments that support their children’s development and passions.

Connect with Sarah:

• Purchase: A Chameleon Tale- A Colorful Sensory Story

• Follow Sarah on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube

• Connect with The Homeschool OT Community: Website | Podcast

Show Summary:

In this special episode, I’m talking directly to students and new grads about navigating student loan debt—and for the first time, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a project my husband and I have been quietly building to support healthcare professionals in personal finance. If you know you’ll graduate with loans (or you’re already there), we’re breaking down:

✅ Practical money moves you can make before graduation

✅ Why tracking your loans matters more than you think

✅ Smart strategies to cut down on borrowing

✅ How to financially prepare for life after graduation

✅ Why entrepreneurship belongs in the conversation

✅ An exclusive first look at our new business venture!

If you’re a student, new grad, or just navigating finances as a healthcare professional, this episode is packed with actionable advice and encouragement to help you feel more confident with your money.

Resources:

• AOTA Article: Practical Information: Stories for Those With Student Loan Debt

• Instagram Post: New Data on OT Student Loan Debt!? Yikes.

• Ep 26. Building Confidence to Negotiate and Maximize Income with Samantha Hayes

• Join our FB Group: Money Matters in Occupational Therapy 

Show Summary

What does it look like to build a fulfilling OT career outside of the typical mold—and on your own terms? In this episode of The Money Matters in OT Podcast, I’m joined by Justine Vidro, a school-based Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) and the founder of Teeny Tots Learning.

We’re diving into what it’s really like working in schools as a COTA, the behind-the-scenes of launching a business while still working full-time, and how Justine found confidence in her own voice along the way.

Whether you're a COTA, OT, or creative entrepreneur at heart—Justine’s story is a reminder that there’s no one right way to succeed in this field. Her passion for early learning, advocacy, and real talk about the profession will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. 💻📚

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:
✨ Justine’s path into school-based OT
✨ Why she started Teeny Tots Learning and how it grew
✨ What it’s really like balancing multiple roles
✨ How to stay grounded when pursuing new opportunities
✨ Encouragement for COTAs who want to expand their careers
✨ Building something meaningful while still honoring your day job

Guest Bio:

Justine Vidro is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), school-based OT professional, and the creator of Teeny Tots Learning. Through her growing online business and Teachers Pay Teachers store, Justine provides educational resources that support early learning, development, and accessibility in classrooms and homes. She’s passionate about advocacy, creativity, and helping other OT professionals dream beyond the traditional path.

Connect with Justine:
📲 Instagram: @just_tee_cota & @teenytotslearning

💻 Teachers Pay Teachers Store

📝 Courses & Resources

Show Summary
What happens when the traditional OT path no longer feels aligned—but you’re not sure what comes next? In this episode of The Money Matters in OT Podcast, I’m joined by occupational therapist and founder of Practitioner Pivot, Hannah Pugh, to talk about the emotional and practical side of pivoting into non-clinical work.

We’re diving into how to explore new career paths as an OT, what it really looks like to leave the clinic, and how to navigate the financial and mindset shifts that come with a major transition. Hannah shares her journey from outpatient OT to the health tech world—and how she now helps other clinicians discover what else is possible beyond traditional roles.

This episode is your reminder that your skills are incredibly valuable—and that it’s okay to want something different. 💼✨

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• How Hannah transitioned from outpatient OT to health tech

• What holds clinicians back from exploring non-clinical roles

• How your OT skills translate outside of traditional practice

• The financial side of pivoting and student loan considerations

• What non-clinical roles are out there for OTs to explore

• Encouragement for giving yourself permission to pivot

Guest Bio
Hannah Pugh, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and the founder of Practitioner Pivot, where she helps healthcare clinicians explore fulfilling, non-clinical career paths. After pivoting out of outpatient care and into the health tech space, she now equips others with the tools, mindset, and resources to build careers beyond the bedside—while honoring their purpose, value, and worth.

Resources📲 Connect with Hannah: Instagram | LinkedIn | Practitioner Pivot Resources

Show Summary
What really happens after OT school ends and the real world begins? 🎓 In this episode of The Money Matters in OT Podcast, I’m joined by pediatric OT, content creator, and new mom Desiree Hayes to talk about the messy, confusing, and empowering transition from student to practitioner.

We’re diving into what it’s like to navigate job interviews, self-advocacy, and perfectionism in your first year as an OT—and how to build confidence when everything still feels new. Desiree shares honest reflections, mindset shifts, and encouragement for anyone in the thick of the new grad season.

This episode is your reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out—and that growth happens in the showing up. 💛

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• What surprised Desiree most about life after OT school

• The pressure to “do it right” in your first job

• Reframing perfectionism and building self-trust

• Navigating job interviews, salary, and self-advocacy

• What helped Desiree find her voice as a new OT

• Encouragement for embracing the messy middle

Guest Bio
Desiree Hayes, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist and the creator behind @theprofessional_ot. She’s passionate about helping OT students and new grads feel supported, empowered, and confident in the early stages of their careers—reminding them that growth is never linear, and they’re not alone.

Resources
📲 Connect with Desiree on Instagram: @theprofessional_ot

Show Summary
What happens when you step away from traditional OT work—but never stop seeing the world through the OT mindset? In this episode of The Money Matters in OT Podcast, I’m joined by pediatric OT, stay-at-home mom, and soon-to-be children’s book author Gabriella Thalin to talk about how her occupational therapy background continues to shape her life beyond the clinic.

We dive into the emotional transition of leaving the workforce, the decision to become a homeschooling SAHM, and how the OT lens shows up in everyday motherhood, homemaking, and creative projects—including her upcoming children’s book, How to Become a Knight. Gabriella’s story is a reminder that the value of our OT training goes far beyond any one career path.

In today’s episode, we’re chatting about:

• Why Gabriella chose OT—and how it aligned with her long-term goals of motherhood

• What it felt like to step away from clinical practice after OT school

• Mindset shifts that helped her embrace life as a SAHM

• The unexpected ways OT shows up in parenting and homemaking

• How her OT background inspired her first children’s book

• Encouragement for OTs exploring non-traditional paths

Guest Bio

Gabriella Thalin is a pediatric occupational therapist, stay-at-home mom, and the author of the upcoming children’s book How to Become a Knight. She’s passionate about using her OT lens to support her family, church community, and creative work. Gabriella believes OT doesn’t end at the clinic door—it’s a mindset that shapes how we nurture, teach, and build a life we love.

Resources
📲 Connect with Gabriella on Instagram: @hiyagabriella & @meditationsforchildren

Show Notes:
Wondering how to design a career in OT that gives you freedom, flexibility, and financial growth? In this episode, I’m joined by Kaitlyn Smart, a travel OT, real estate investor, and entrepreneur who has built a multifaceted career rooted in freedom.

We dive into how Kaitlyn started with travel therapy as a new grad, her journey into real estate investing, and why she believes passive income is essential for OTs. If you’re dreaming of building wealth and creating a bold, fulfilling career outside the traditional path, this conversation will inspire you to take action.

In this episode:

• 
  
• • Starting a travel therapy career after graduation
  • Strategies to maximize income and pay off debt
• • Getting started with real estate investing as an OT
  • Building passive income through digital products
• • Balancing multiple income streams and entrepreneurship
  • Advice for OTs who want more freedom and flexibility

Guest Bio:

Kaitlyn Smart is a travel OT, real estate investor, and founder of The Smart OT. With three years of experience in the OT field, Kaitlyn has successfully blended her love for healthcare with her passion for entrepreneurship. She is dedicated to empowering OTs to expand their income streams and build more freedom into their careers. Kaitlyn also runs the OT Digital Academy, where she helps OTs create and launch digital products that generate passive income. Outside of her work, Kaitlyn enjoys exploring new places, investing in real estate, and guiding others on their entrepreneurial journeys.

Resources:

Follow Kaitlyn on IG: 📲 @thesmartot & @heyy_kait
Learn more about the OT Digital Academy 💻 and join the Case Study Group 📚

In this episode, I’m joined by Jayson Davies, a school-based OT who’s not only crushed his student loan debt but also built a successful online business supporting other therapists.

We chat about his journey to becoming debt-free, what inspired his entrepreneurial path, and how he balances business ownership with a full-time OT role in the schools.

If you're a school-based OT looking for more freedom, financial clarity, and creative income streams—this one’s for you.

In this episode:

• How Jayson paid off his student loans

• What sparked his online business journey

• Tips for building a biz while working full-time

• Mindset shifts for financial and career growth

Resources:

Follow Jayson on IG: @ot_schoolhouse
Check out his website: otschoolhouse.com
Learn more at: OTpreneur.com