A Lunchroom Conversation with STEMinist Fiction Author and OT, Jaima Fixsen

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jaima Fixsen, a Canadian occupational therapist and USA Today bestselling author who writes STEMinist fiction novels while balancing roles as a mom and OT. We dive deep into how she uses her OT skills to support her creative work and manage the unstructured nature of writing and the midlife desire to shift into new, more aligned occupations. Spoiler alert: tap dancing and sourdough didn't work out.

Whether you're an OT interested in creative pursuits, managing your own practice, or simply curious about applying OT principles to your own life and work, this conversation offers valuable insights about embracing new occupations while honoring our professional identity.

Key Topics We Discuss:

• How Jaima transitioned from full-time OT to splitting her time between clinical practice and writing as a PAID occupation
• The concept of "middle-essence" - finding new occupations and meaning in midlife transitions
• Using OT strategies to manage executive function demands of creative work
• Creating sensory-rich writing routines to support focus and flow
• Setting boundaries and implementing behavioural strategies for productivity
• The fascinating historical background of her latest novel "The Specimen" set in 1828 Edinburgh
• The evolution of medical ethics and consent in anatomical studies
• Supporting local bookstores

OT Insights to Apply in Your Own Work:

• Strategies for managing unstructured work time
• Creating supportive sensory environments
• Breaking down large projects into manageable chunks
• Setting appropriate goals and rewards
• Managing perfectionism and task initiation
• Techniques to find creative flow and stay healthy

Resources Mentioned:

• The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen - find it at your local bookstore
• Get 2 free audiobooks at Libro.fm while supporting a local bookstore of your choice
• Learn more about Jaima Fixsen
• Instagram: @byjaimafixsen
• ACTivate Vitality, my program and community for OT business owners
• Explore the Jane.app's time-saving writing features, including my fave AI Scribe, with a one month grace period on your new account using the code VITALITY

Episode Summary:

Is perfectionism keeping you stuck in “figure-it-all-out-first” mode? You’re not alone and you’re not broken.

In this solo episode of The BRAVE OT Podcast, I explore a powerful reframe for occupational therapy entrepreneurs who stay in perfecting mode, immobilized by self-doubt and a need to get it right before they begin. Maybe you even use the term imposter syndrome. The antidote? The scientific method. Yes, the same framework we trust as clinicians.

I walk through how we can approach entrepreneurship like the clinical scientists we already are. Instead of waiting until something is perfect, we can co-create, experiment, observe, revise, and grow. This shift can unlock so much momentum, clarity, and confidence in your business. AND it's best practice in entrepreneurship.

I also share some behind-the-scenes updates: from developing a university course on entrepreneurship, to guest teaching, to getting ready for Bronwyn Paynter's Nature Day in Australia, and how all of it connects back to how we show up bravely in our work.

This episode is here to help you move forward. One experiment at a time.

• Why perfectionism is so common among high-achieving OTs

• What imposter syndrome really means (and why I rarely use the term)

• How the scientific method can be your best business tool

• What entrepreneurship and treatment planning have in common

• Why selling while you're testing matters more than you think

• How ACTivate Vitality helps therapy business owners build inner flexibility to navigate outer challenges

Interested in joining me at the Nature Day in Australia?

Learn more here → https://bit.ly/NatureDay2025

Want to learn about working with me?

I'd love to talk to you about supporting you as the whole person at the centre of your business with a community, collaborative support, human connection, and a proven transformative process to make your business and your life feel more aligned. Let's talk about ACTivate Vitality. Check it out and book a time to connect here: https://www.balanceworks.online/avprogram

A note from Jane:

Switch to Jane to make documentation easier with my new best friend, AI Scribe. If you'd like to meet Jane, book a personalized introduction call and you can also use my code VITALITY for a one month grace period on your new account.

In this episode, we hear from Jenny Gill and Krista Frahm, both occupational therapists and copywriters, as they discuss the dynamics of their professional relationship and the balance between collaboration and competition. They explore their individual journeys in the field, the importance of finding one's niche, and the challenges they faced when their paths intersected. The conversation delves into dealing with professional insecurities, the role of AI in copywriting, and practical advice for marketing occupational therapy services. You'll will gain insights into the value of collaboration, the nuances of creating effective marketing strategies, and the necessity of being courageous in business.

Join us in conversation about this podcast episode in our new online community.

It's in a Facebook Group called The BRAVE OT Podcast - Let's Discuss!

Jenny and Krista have shared some free resources that will be linked in the group.

• Krista's free training about testimonials
• Jenny's 5 Copywriting Mistakes Made By OTs (and how to fix them)

You can also follow both on Instagram: Jenny Gill Krista Frahm

And check out their websites:

https://www.kristafrahmagency.com/

https://jennygillcopywriting.com/

🩵 And a big shoutout to our podcast sponsor, Jane.app. I'm grateful to be connected to this organization that feels deeply values-aligned. Did you know Jane won a 2025 Bronze Stevie Award for Customer Service Department of the Year – Computer Software! Out of 2,100+ entries from around the world, it's no surprize that Jane’s world-class support stood out.

🩵 If you're ready to check Jane out, head over and book a demo HERE for a one month grace period on a new account.

This podcast conversation explores supervision in occupational therapy with Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw. Lyndsay brings 30 years of pediatric OT experience and has evolved her career to focus on supervision and mentorship. We discuss the the concept of supervision in the UK as well as various other ways OTs support each other like coaching and mentorship. If you've ever wondered about ways to enhance your professional development or support others in theirs, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.

To connect with Lynsay

Lynsay's Facebook Group

ACTivate Vitality is Accepting OT Business Owners
The ACTivate Vitality program is opening up for 10 new members in March, 2025. It is a thriving community of OT business owners who support each other, collaborate, co-conspire, co-regulate, and help you not be alone in private practice. Together we build core skills from acceptance and commitment therapy to be more grounded and mindful in our practices, in our work, in our lives, aligning our actions in all domains with our values. We create community so that we can move forward in blazing some trails and doing the things that really matter, building more flow and satisfaction in our lives. Book a Clarity Call with Carlyn to explore this possibility.

To see how Jane can help you focus more on your clients than your costs, book your personalized demo today. If you're ready to get started, you can use the code VITALITY at the time of signup for a one-month grace period applied to your new account.

I am thrilled to share this authentic and vulnerable conversation with you. My guest is Dr. Fiona Lovely. You may know her from her mindblowing podcast, Not Your Mother's Menopause.

With two decades of experience, Dr. Lovely is a trailblazer in women's health. Specifically focusing on the menopause transition, perimenopause and menopause.

Stick with us on this vulnerable and passionate conversation because in it, we share stories of our own experiences and highlight how community and connection are the bedrock for growth and healing in a health system that has only begun to prioritize women's health.

Dr. Lovely helps us understand the growing evidence and debunks misconceptions in the menopause narrative. Spoiler alert, but there's a lot in here about social justice and a little bit of swearing.

We talk about the mental and physiological shifts women encounter during this time of renovation in our bodies and in our brains, and some myths about cognitive decline.

This episode is packed with wisdom, practical advice, and a heartfelt big sister kind of conversation. Whether you're an occupational therapist, someone in their 30s and 40s experiencing symptoms you didn't know were perimenopause, or you're simply interested in understanding this vital aspect of health, there's so much here for you.

_______________________________________

Links to resources mentioned in the podcast:

Dr. Fiona Lovely's Website: drlovely.com

Podcast: Not Your Mother's Menopause with Dr. Fiona Lovely

Menopause Doula Society

Dr. Lisa Musconi - Neuroscience & Women's Health

AMS Menopause Symptom Scorecard

_______________________________________

Are you a therapy business owner seeking a community of support as the whole person at the centre of your business?

We will be accepting applicants to the ACTivate Vitality program and community in late January. Let's see if this is a good fit for you by visiting our site.

_______________________________________

A shoutout to our sponsor, Jane.app

Jane is an EMR with heart. Book your demo today and be sure to use the code VITALITY for a one month grace period.

Balance Works OT - Carlyn's OT practice

Balance Works - Carlyn's personal and professional develoment services

• ACTivate Vitality Program and Mastermind for OTs who want to THRIVE without the HUSTLE
• ACTivate Vitality Personal Development Planner
• Practical ACT for OTs Clinical Education
• Vitality Guide - free download with ACT starter resources