“You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.”

I was reminded of this quote towards the end of last year and made the incredibly difficult decision to end this podcast.

Last year was a challenging year for me with lots of collisions between my personal life and entrepreneur life happening behind the scenes. This podcast was an important source of inspiration for me during that time and I honestly don’t know how I would have gotten through the year without it.

However, I’ve realized I need to lean into the flexible aspect of my own entrepreneur career and that unfortunately requires taking some things off my plate, including this podcast.

In this final episode I share more about the challenging year I faced in 2023, including secondary infertility and loss, and share some of the lessons I learned along the way thanks to this show.

I’m so grateful to all of my guests who have come on the show in the past year. As well as my listeners for tuning in and supporting the show. If you’re just listening to this podcast for the first time, I encourage you to go back and listen to previous episodes. There are a ton of great gems in each conversation.

Also, a huge thank you to my podcast editor Ineke Camille of Zourit Solutions. I credit her for helping me enter into the world of podcasting and for preserving my mental health along the way. This show wouldn’t have been possible without her!

I’ll continue to take on coaching clients as well so if you’re interested in working together please reach out via my website at http://melissaparks.com

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.

In this week’s episode I’m delighted to introduce you to Kelly Redmon Loo, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) specializing in Autism.

We dive into how Kelly developed her passion for working with autistic clients, as well as her journey towards being diagnosed as AuDHD (autism and ADHD). We’ll talk about masking and unmasking, how autism, particularly in women, often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its unique manifestations.

Kelly also shares insights on why neurodivergent individuals may feel 'unemployable', how entrepreneurship can be a liberating path for many and how she overcomes some of the challenges that come with being a neurodivergent entrepreneur.

We’ll also explore the nuances of occupational versus autistic burnout, and how you can take care of yourself if you’re experiencing autistic burnout.

And if you’re wondering if you might be on the spectrum, Kelly offers practical advice on next steps, including seeking a formal diagnosis or finding peace in self-diagnosis

Kelly is the founder and owner of Seven Seas Counseling, an innovative online therapy practice where she focuses on providing support to autistic adults, individuals dealing with chronic pain, and those facing various illnesses.

Her expertise extends to assessments and late diagnoses of autism, where she assists clients in navigating the complexities of a late diagnosis and collaborates with them to create personalized lives that cater to their unique needs. Kelly is dedicated to helping individuals unmask, discover their authentic paths, and fulfill their potential.

In addition to her clinical work, Kelly plays a vital role in the professional development of therapists. She offers training and clinical supervision to those eager to expand their knowledge in working with autistic adults, contributing to the growth of the therapeutic community.

She also  runs an online autistic women's+ support group and is in the process of developing a group curriculum centered around autistic burnout.

Currently residing in Arlington, Va, Kelly enjoys a fulfilling personal life in the company of her husband, Siberian cat- Iquitos, and four rescue guinea pigs. She is an active member and advocate of online chronic illness/pain communities and raises awareness of several rare chronic conditions that often overlap with autism. Her interests beyond her work include traveling, being near the ocean whenever she can, and fostering animals.

She is Audhd herself (autism + ADHD) and her current special interests include sewing, memoir writing, and going new places with her husband and their cat.

Whether you're neurodivergent, wondering if you’re neurodivergent,  know someone who is, or are simply here to learn, this episode is packed with eye-opening perspectives and valuable takeaways.

Be sure to check out the episode webpage for an extensive list of resources from this episode!

Find Kelly online:

Website: https://www.sevenseascounseling.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seven_seas_counseling/

Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

If you’d like additional su

In this episode I’m delighted to introduce to you an inspiring founder who is working to revolutionize the freelance industry and improve the working conditions and ultimately help prevent burnout amongst freelancers around the globe.

Karl Swanepoel is the CEO & Founder of Revolancer Beta, a platform that aims to help independent professionals and freelancers exchange their skills to build their service businesses. Karl's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age when he encountered the challenges faced by freelancers.

With this problem in mind, he created Revolancer in his last year in Aberystwyth and won the startup competition he was in, securing funding from a VC capital a few months after.

Today, Karll spearheads a passionate and dynamic team at Revolancer, driven by a shared mission to revolutionise the freelance industry and empower freelancers worldwide with renewed autonomy and opportunities.

In this episode we talk about why Karl is so passionate about the Revolancer mission, what helps him to be the best leader he can be for his time, and how he prioritizes his mental health to avoid burnout that so many founders fall victim to.

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Find Karl online:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karlswa/
• Revolancer’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revolancer
• Karl’s Website: https://karlswanepoel.com/about/
• Revolancer’s Website: https://beta.revolancer.com/

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Connect with your host, Dr. Melissa Parks, elsewhere:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissacparks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissaparksphd

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaparksphd/

Website: https://melissaparks.com/

Schedule a free 30 min. discovery call with Melissa to see if executive coaching with her would be a good fit: https://melissaparks.com/free-consultation-call/

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If you’d like additional support for your mental and emotional well-being as a founder please visit Melissa’s website for a list of resources to help you find a coach, therapist, or peer support.