The Move. Talk. Thrive. Podcast

In this episode of Move.Talk.Thrive, Lizzy flies solo to explore a question that’s been shaping her work as a clinician and mum: we talk a lot about raising resilient kids, but are we giving them enough opportunities to become capable?

Through everyday examples from bedtime routines to collecting an order at the local coffee shop, Lizzy reflects on how easily helping can turn into doing. She explores how we can support children to understand their bodies, recognise what they need, and build the skills and confidence to think, “I can have a go at this.”

Lizzy also discusses the relationship between movement skills, confidence and participation, and why therapy needs to make a difference beyond the clinic. From navigating friendships to joining playground games and getting ready for school, capability grows through meaningful opportunities to practise—with support that gradually changes as children’s skills develop.

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Follow us on Instagram → @movetalkthriveWatch full episodes on YouTube → Move.Talk.Thrive

Research Referenced

Research discussed in this episode explores the relationship between motor competence, perceived competence and physical activity.

• Stodden, D. F., et al. (2008). A developmental perspective on the role of motor skill competence in physical activity: An emergent relationship. Quest, 60(2), 290–306.

• Robinson, L. E., et al. (2015). Motor competence and its effect on positive developmental trajectories of health. Sports Medicine, 45, 1273–1284.

• Logan, S. W., Robinson, L. E., Wilson, A. E., & Lucas, W. A. (2012). Getting the fundamentals of movement: A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of motor skill interventions in children. Child: Care, Health and Development, 38(3), 305–315.

• Lubans, D. R., Morgan, P. J., Cliff, D. P., Barnett, L. M., & Okely, A. D. (2010). Fundamental movement skills in children and adolescents: Review of associated health benefits. Sports Medicine, 40, 1019–1035.

• Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W. H. Freeman.

Connect With Us

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

What started as watching AI videos during late-night feeds became a complete overhaul of the Successful Speechie Academy.

In this solo episode of the Move.Talk.Thrive Podcast, Emily shares how following her curiosity during maternity leave led her to rethink the way she organised and presented her preschool language resources. With existing systems, support from her team and a few focused work blocks each week, she explains how AI helped her bring the rebuild together in around three months.

But her biggest takeaway goes beyond AI: confidence grows when you put what you learn into practice.

From testing ideas before introducing them to a team to working through the messy middle of learning something new, this episode explores implementation, leadership and why your next step might be another repetition, not another course.

Resources Mentioned

Successful Speechie Academy:

Explore Emily’s preschool language resources and training through www.successfulspeechieacademy.com

Free preschool language training: www.successfulspeechieacademy.com/free

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What’s one thing you’ve learned recently that you’re ready to put into practice?

Share this episode with an allied health professional, business owner or colleague who’s learning something new and finding themselves in the messy middle.

Follow us on Instagram: @movetalkthrive

Watch on YouTube: Move.Talk.Thrive

Connect With Us

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

In this special 100th episode of the Move.Talk.Thrive Podcast, Emily returns to the mic and catches up with Lizzy on motherhood, business, overwhelm, resilience and everything in between.

Almost six months after welcoming her third baby, Emily reflects on navigating a season of major transition and the mindset shift that helped her feel more empowered: “This was my choice.”

Lizzy and Emily also look back on 100 episodes of honest conversations about the human side of allied health, from leadership and personal development to fear of failure, business and life beyond the clinic.

Whether you’re navigating a big transition, motherhood, leadership or simply a season that feels especially full, this episode is a reminder that overwhelm doesn’t always mean something is wrong; sometimes, it means you’re growing.

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If you’ve been listening along the way, thank you for helping us reach 100 episodes!

Share this milestone episode with a fellow allied health professional, business owner or mum who might need the reminder that growth and overwhelm can sometimes exist at the same time.

Follow us on Instagram: @movetalkthrive

Watch on YouTube: Move.Talk.Thrive

Connect With Us

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

How does movement support the sensory system, and why does this matter when working with children?

In this solo episode of Move.Talk.Thrive, Lizzy explores the connection between sensory input, motor output, regulation and participation from an exercise physiology perspective.

She explains why children who crash, jump, avoid movement, struggle to sit still, become dysregulated or refuse activities may not be showing “bad behaviour”, they may be communicating sensory and nervous system needs.

Lizzy also breaks down the vestibular, proprioceptive and interoceptive systems, and shares practical ways to adapt therapy environments in clinics, gyms, schools, early learning centres and homes.

From calming movement and heavy work to becoming a sensory detective in the first few minutes of a session, this episode is a helpful listen for paediatric clinicians, parents and educators who want to better understand how movement can support regulation and participation.

Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, clinician, educator or allied health professional who supports children with movement, regulation, sensory needs or participation challenges.

Follow on Instagram → @movetalkthrive

Watch full episodes on YouTube → Move.Talk.Thrive

Connect with Us

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

In this solo episode, Lizzy shares how research has shaped her confidence, clinical reasoning and advocacy as a paediatric exercise physiologist.

She reflects on her journey from consuming research to partnering with the University of Queensland on an independent review of her Kids Heart Pilates program. Lizzy also shares the unexpected benefits of being involved in research, from professional growth and recruitment to networking, advocacy and new opportunities.

A thoughtful and encouraging episode for clinicians, allied health business owners and practitioners who are curious about research, evidence-based practice and creating a bigger impact through their work.

Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a clinician, allied health business owner, educator or practitioner who is curious about research, evidence-based practice or creating a bigger impact through their work.

Follow on Instagram → @movetalkthrive

Watch full episodes on YouTube → Move.Talk.Thrive

Connect with Us

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

In this solo episode, Lizzy unpacks the difference between stimulation, regulation and behaviour and why understanding this distinction matters when supporting children.

She explores how sensory input affects the nervous system, why regulation does not always mean calm, and how behaviour is often the outward signal of what is happening underneath. Lizzy also shares how movement, environment and co-regulation can support children more effectively at home, in therapy and in early learning settings.

Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent, clinician or early childhood educator who supports children with big behaviours, sensory needs or regulation challenges.

Follow on Instagram → @movetalkthrive

Watch full episodes on YouTube → Move.Talk.Thrive

Connect with Us

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

In this solo episode of Move.Talk.Thrive, Lizzy reflects on what she wishes she knew when she first started working in paediatrics.

This episode is for new grads, clinicians brushing up on their paediatric skills, supervisors, managers and business owners supporting new clinicians. Lizzy unpacks why clinical confidence is not about having all the answers, but about connection, flexibility, curiosity and self-regulation.

From challenging sessions and group environments to masking, parent expectations and learning how to read the room, this conversation is a practical and reassuring reminder that confidence is built inside the session, not before you walk into it.

Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow allied health business owner who needs to hear this.

Follow on Instagram: @movetalkthrive

Watch on YouTube: Move.Talk.Thrive

Your Hosts

Lizzy Dawson

Website: lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

In this episode of Move.Talk.Thrive, Lizzy chats with Michelle Kvello, founder of Lantern Partners and fractional CFO, about financial clarity for allied health business owners.

Michelle breaks down the numbers every business owner should understand ; from cash flow and pricing to gross margin, utilisation rates, payday super changes, and preparing for NDIS funding uncertainty.

This is a practical, empowering conversation for allied health business owners who want to feel more confident, informed and in control of their finances.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why cash and profit are not the same thing

• The difference between gross margin and net margin

• How utilisation rates impact profitability

• Why pricing correctly supports your purpose

• How to prepare for NDIS changes through scenario modelling

• What the payday super changes could mean for your cash flow

  
  

Resources mentioned:

Cash Flow Forecast Template

Pricing Calculator

Connect with Michelle:

Website: lanternpartners.com.au

Instagram: @michellekvello

Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow allied health business owner who needs to hear this.

Follow on Instagram: @movetalkthrive

Watch on YouTube: Move.Talk.Thrive

Your Hosts

Lizzy Dawson

Website: lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

The allied health landscape is changing, and paediatric practitioners, clinics and families are all feeling the uncertainty.

In this solo episode of Move.Talk.Thrive, Lizzy shares reflections from recent conversations with allied health business owners around NDIS changes, the proposed Thriving Kids model, advocacy, business sustainability and the future of paediatric care.

She also explores why working with children helps practitioners build the soft skills that matter most: communication, rapport, engagement, flexibility, parent education and client care.

Whether you’re a clinician, business owner or allied health leader, this episode is a timely reminder that preparing for change starts with strengthening the skills, systems and conversations happening inside our teams.

Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague working in paediatrics or early learning.

Follow on Instagram → @movetalkthrive

Watch full episodes on YouTube → Move.Talk.Thrive

Connect with Us

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie

In this episode of Move.Talk.Thrive, Lizzy Dawson shares an inside look at running a successful pediatric holiday program and why it has become such a valuable part of her clinic.

From managing cancellations and maintaining continuity of care to creating a supportive, low-stimulation environment for children with complex needs, Lizzy breaks down what makes a holiday program truly effective.

She also shares practical insights on staffing, structure, and how these programs can improve therapy outcomes while supporting both families and clinicians.

Stay Connected with Move.Talk.Thrive

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague working in early learning or paediatrics.

Follow on Instagram → @movetalkthrive

Watch full episodes on YouTube → Move.Talk.Thrive

Lizzy Dawson

Website: www.lizzydawson.com.au

Instagram: @lizzydawson_

Connect with Us

Emily Mackie

Website: www.emilymackie.com.au

Instagram: @emilymackie.speechie