Rehab Rebels: Alternative Career Paths for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, & Speech Language Pathology Professionals

Tanner Welsch DPT

Do you feel burned out, not appreciated, undervalued both financially & professionally? Realized working in the health industry is not all it was promised to be? Are numbers & the bottom line prioritized over your health, job satisfaction, & high quality patient care causing you to dread going into work?

You want to make a career change but face sunken tuition cost, judgment for wanting to leave a secure career in the health field, & unsure about which alternative career direction to take? But know there has to be a better work life balance.


It is ok to want a career change, maybe even one outside of your profession. You are not a bad person for wanting this & you are not alone!

My name is Tanner, and I'm a physical therapist myself, on a mission to uncover and document the world of alternative careers & income opportunities for rehab professionals (OT, COTA, PT, PTA, & SLPs). My goal is to provide a guide(s) you can follow to a career or business with more freedom, income, and fulfillment.

This podcast will help you discover, learn, & gain insights by having honest authentic conversations with therapists who felt: burnout, undervalued, dreaded going to work every morning, stuck with debt, guilt for wanting to leave their career, & unable to get out of a toxic work environment.  As they share the outcomes they achieved from their alternative career transitions: built a business that allowed them to spend more time with their family, be more fulfilled, have more autonomy, & build something for themselves. Or landed a job that truly made the most of their skills with less stress & more fulfillment.

Other main topics you will hear in detail are: alternative income, personal finance, side hustles, & starting your own business.

What are you waiting for? You have been thinking of this change for far too long. Click play to discover the next phase of your career and develop an actionable plan to make it a reality :)

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Beyond the Clinic: Where Knitting and Physical Therapy Collide, with Andrea Lui DPT 036
Nov 23 2023
Beyond the Clinic: Where Knitting and Physical Therapy Collide, with Andrea Lui DPT 036
#036 Ever wondered how the world of knitting and physical therapy collide? Join me as I chat with Andrea, a  physical therapist and the brains behind Knitting PT. We get to hear her journey, from traditional physical therapy to home health and, ultimately, her innovative business.Andrea also introduces us to the fascinating world of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This intriguing conversation will pique your interest as she explains how EMDR uses both sides of the brain to process trauma. This episode is sure to enlighten you about the power of alternative therapeutic outlets. Meanwhile, our deep dive into Andrea's professional trajectory reveals insights about transitioning among different work environments in the physical therapy field, and how she found a career path that offered her the flexibility she desired.As we stitch together the final parts of our conversation, Andrea enlightens us about the unique intersection of her two passions: knitting and physical therapy. She shares how she assists fellow knitters in managing physical pain and communicates effectively even with those devoid of any knowledge about knitting. Amidst the twists and turns of her career, Andrea also opens up about tackling imposter syndrome and the vital importance of resilience and authenticity in the digital age. If you're pondering a career transition, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Be ready to be inspired by Andrea's journey!For links and show notes, head to: https://rehabrebels.org/036Start your Rehab Rebel Journey! Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!As someone who listens to the Rehab Rebels Podcast, I’m wondering if you might be willing to lend me a hand in making it better?I’m currently planning out future episode topics and guests for the show, but before I do, I wanted to get some feedback from you as a listener to make sure I’m covering topics that are relevant to you and where you’re looking to go.Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Support the show
Luna: Revolutionizing Healthcare through more accessible Physical Therapy with Melissa Erlandson PT 035
Nov 9 2023
Luna: Revolutionizing Healthcare through more accessible Physical Therapy with Melissa Erlandson PT 035
#035 In a world where health is often taken for granted, Melissa Erlandson strives to change that narrative through her work as a physical therapist. Listen as she shares her experiences ranging from pediatric to geriatric physical therapy, her foray into pelvic health due to her personal struggles, and candid insights into her experiences with the traditional medical model.The centerpiece of the conversation is Melissa's involvement with Luna Physical Therapy, a revolutionary home-based technology platform that's rewriting the rules of physical therapy. Learn how Luna's innovative model is bringing therapy closer to patients, re-establishing the therapist-patient relationship, and improving outcomes. Weaving in her personal experiences, Melissa talks about the impact of nutrition in healthcare, shedding light on how our current system is perpetuating sickness.From navigating debt and surviving housing market crashes to facing layoffs during the pandemic, Melissa's resilience and adaptability shine through. All of her experiences offer a unique lens through which we explore the past, present, and future of physical therapy and pelvic health. Her commitment to patient education, holistic wellness, and redefining traditional medical models is sure to inspire and challenge the way you think about healthcare. Don't miss this engaging conversation about the challenges, growth, and opportunities in the world of physical therapy.For links and show notes, head to: https://rehabrebels.org/035Start your Rehab Rebel Journey! Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
Entrepreneurial Insights from Nora Bachman, Pediatric Physical Therapist Turned Practice Owner 034
Oct 26 2023
Entrepreneurial Insights from Nora Bachman, Pediatric Physical Therapist Turned Practice Owner 034
#034 Ever wondered what it takes to break the mold and start your own business in the healthcare field? Prepare to be inspired by our guest Nora, a pediatric physical therapist  (PT) who's stepped out of routine hospital settings to create her own pediatric PT practice. Nora turned her passion for pediatrics into a rewarding venture, offering services to families who might not usually have access to physical therapy. Nora's journey from hospital to private practice is filled with valuable insights. Her transition was marked by an interdisciplinary experience, a move to sunny California, and finally, the brave decision to set up her own practice, "Nora B, PT". This new chapter brought along its set of challenges - liabilities, the pressure of providing services to a diverse clientele, and the introduction of a revolutionary program, Dynamic Movement Intervention. But Nora handled them with the resilience of a true entrepreneur. Navigating the world of entrepreneurship is no small feat, and Nora candidly opens up about this. Building "Nora B, PT" from the ground up, she stresses on the importance of having a strong support system, the necessity of a flexible mindset, and the crucial role of professional mentors and friends. With her story, Nora offers invaluable insights for anyone thinking about owning a business, laying bare the personality traits that can make or break an entrepreneur. All in all, this episode with Nora is an enriching journey into the realm of pediatric physical therapy entrepreneurship that you simply cannot miss!For links and show notes, head to: https://rehabrebels.org/034Start your Rehab Rebel Journey! Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
Unraveling Trauma-Informed Care: A Conversation with Rachel Archambault, SLP Program Specialist 033
Oct 12 2023
Unraveling Trauma-Informed Care: A Conversation with Rachel Archambault, SLP Program Specialist 033
#033 Ever dealt with a traumatic experience and wondered how to respond? Join our guest, Rachel Archambault, a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and Program Specialist, as we explore the world of trauma-informed care. Rachel narrates her career transition in therapy and how a life-changing event at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School redefined her approach in this field.Rachel is sharing how the trauma she experienced helped her discover her purpose in life. She realized she was not interested in the therapy side or the monotony of being a SLP. And now, as a program specialist, she doesn’t feel like she needs to be in treatment and she gets to present trauma-informed care to all of her district, especially the SLPs that she supports and advocates for.We are going to learn about what trauma-informed care is and its importance as rehab professionals, practical ways to manage stress and trauma, and how therapy can be a rock during tumultuous times. Don't miss this insightful conversation!For links and show notes, head to: https://rehabrebels.org/033Start your Rehab Rebel Journey! Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
Reiki, Hypnotherapy, & the power of mindset with Rayne Smyth PT RR 031
Sep 14 2023
Reiki, Hypnotherapy, & the power of mindset with Rayne Smyth PT RR 031
#031 Rayne Smyth shares her career journey from Physical Therapy into hypnotherapy. We talk about the power of mindset and surrounding yourself with a positive environment. She also shares with us how she works with moms that have the so-called “mom guilt”.Rayne tells us how through the study of craniosacral therapy she learned what “direction of energy” is through Physical Therapy, which opened her to the concept of Reiki. This was the catalyst for her to go from the fact-based science of Physical Therapy to a spiritual level, managing health through the mindset by guiding people to a calm state. She decided to start teaching Reiki on the side while working full-time as Physical Therapist. This surely got her some pushback but that didn’t stop her and now she is solely focused on her business of hypnotherapy for moms.She left her job to stay home and take care of her daughter who was struggling with mental health. It was a full-time job and she had no choice but to find a way to work that also gave her the freedom to be present for her children who needed her constantly.Catch this new episode of Rehab Rebels out now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and all podcast platforms available.For links and show notes, head to: https://rehabrebels.org/031Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Start your Rehab Rebel Journey! Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
From Physical Therapist to Cornell MBA with Keith Liao DPT, MBA RR 030
Aug 31 2023
From Physical Therapist to Cornell MBA with Keith Liao DPT, MBA RR 030
#030 Keith Liao shares his career journey from Physical Therapists to Cornell MBA & climbing gym business owner. Alternative career change to business owner. Keith, a California native, pursued an economics degree at UCLA before attending PT school in Boston. He later obtained an MBA from Cornell University. With a business-oriented mindset, Keith became a traveling physical therapist, but after three years, he sought better opportunities and pursued an MBA. During his studies, he interned with the National Park Service and later joined Booz Allen Hamilton as a federal consultant. When the pandemic hit, Keith returned to Cornell and seized the chance to establish his own climbing gym, personally overseeing its construction. As the gym became self-sufficient, Keith found a consulting job at Potrero Group, aligning with his previous experience. Today, he owns the gym, works as a contract consultant, and founded an education startup called Aedify, using his physical therapy skills to excel in his new endeavors.Catch this new episode of Rehab Rebels out now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and all podcast platforms available. For links and show notes, head to:https://rehabrebels.org/030Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Start your Rehab Rebel Journey!Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
Is owning a Pilates Cash Business right for me with Kateryna Bakay PT, OCS RR 029
Aug 17 2023
Is owning a Pilates Cash Business right for me with Kateryna Bakay PT, OCS RR 029
#029 Kateryna Bakay shares her career journey from Physical Therapist to Cash Based Pilates Business owner. Alternative career change to Pilates Cash Business. “Physical therapy can be whatever you can build it to be. I think it's one of those fields that's not limited to only working in orthopedics or neuro and what not… It’s actually a very interesting field.”Kateryna Bakay, originally from Ukraine, moved to the US 23 years ago and now owns her own orthopedic practice in Seattle, Washington. Her journey began as a PT assistant, but she pursued a career in Physical Therapy and eventually landed a job at Boeing, overseeing work hardening and conditioning programs for injured employees. However, she grew frustrated with the high rate of employee injuries and decided to transition to a small orthopedic practice, where she worked closely with upper extremity surgeons and occupational therapists. She then had the opportunity to work at an orthopedic clinic with Pilates equipment, which aligned with her holistic approach to therapy. Kateryna fell in love with the method and gained experience while the clinic supported her Pilates certification. Inspired to provide care on her terms, she eventually started her own practice, facing challenges with marketing, accounting, and insurance. Despite the hurdles, she adapted and transitioned to a cash-based model, enabling faster and more efficient care. Kateryna emphasized the importance of hard work, continuous learning, and seeking support when needed, recognizing the potential value of hiring a coach to scale her practice.Catch this new episode of Rehab Rebels out now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and all podcast platforms available. For links and show notes, head to:https://rehabrebels.org/029Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Start your Rehab Rebel Journey!Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
From Physical Therapist to The Non-Clinical PT with Meredith Castin DPT, Entrepreneur, Writer and Editor RR 027
Jul 20 2023
From Physical Therapist to The Non-Clinical PT with Meredith Castin DPT, Entrepreneur, Writer and Editor RR 027
#027 Meredith Castin shares her career journey from Physical Therapist to starting and building The Non-Clinical PT into what it is today. Alternative career change to online entrepreneur.“If I had even some passion and desire to make a difference and nobody else was already doing it, then by golly. Who better to do it than me? And I don’t think I was ever encouraged to take this kind of path in my life. And so it was a huge, scary thing for me to become a business owner.”Meredith Castin, the founder of Non-Clinical PT, shares her journey from graphic and web design to becoming a physical therapist (PT) and eventually transitioning to a non-clinical career. After experiencing dissatisfaction with her PT job and facing a traumatic incident with a patient, Meredith realized she couldn't continue in the same path. She started writing a blog for new PTs, which led to the creation of Non-Clinical PT. Overcoming self-doubt, Meredith embraced her passion, believing in herself, and took the leap into entrepreneurship. Her story emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's dreams and making a difference when no one else is doing it.Catch this new episode of Rehab Rebels out now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and all podcast platforms available. For links and show notes, head to:https://rehabrebels.org/027Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Start your Rehab Rebel Journey!Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
Kinship Care and Research with Angela Tobin OTD RR 019
Mar 30 2023
Kinship Care and Research with Angela Tobin OTD RR 019
#019 Listen to how Angelas occupational therapy lead her to a personal research career in kinship care. Learn what kinship care is and how Angela based her research on kinship care. Alternative career change to online business and research. “I built a community, and I feel like I’m the professional doing the work and giving to others; but, at the same time, I feel others have given me back a lot in the process, and that’s what motivates me to keep going.” Angela Tobin went to the Ohio State University and graduated in May ‘22. In our interview, Angela shared that she learned about Occupational Therapy (OT) school randomly and wasn’t sure about it, so she changed to Psychology, but in the end, she returned to OT. Currently, her primary work is at the UNC School of Social Work, where she researches kinship families. She also runs a support group that meets twice a week, which she started three years ago while she was still a student for kinship families. Also, she is training in consulting within kinship care to provide information about kinship families and how we can support them. In our conversation, Angela tells us how she got interested in this personal topic as she comes from a kinship family. Angela realized that no one was doing anything related to Kinship Care in the OT field, so she thought outside the box and Googled kinship organizations in Ohio. She only found one, so she emailed them her idea, applied for a fellowship, and made a good connection to get help for her support group. For Angela, mental health is the route of OT, but she also thinks that holistically we can serve populations and rethink what Occupational Therapy is. She fell in love with the OT philosophy because it can apply to anything offering a unique glance that comes through in the work OTs do.Catch this new episode of Rehab Rebels out now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and all podcast platforms available. For links and show notes, head to:https://rehabrebels.org/019Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Start your Rehab Rebel Journey!Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
How alternative healing and a new perspective lead actor, model, and singer Adania Reyes to an impactful career on people's lives RR 018
Mar 16 2023
How alternative healing and a new perspective lead actor, model, and singer Adania Reyes to an impactful career on people's lives RR 018
#018 How alternative healing and a new perspective can lead you to an impactful career on people's lives. Alternative career change to a more impactful meaningful career. “Don’t limit yourself to what you can do because you never know who you will impact positively. Always remember that you impact people, and there’s always someone looking at you, and you can change someone’s life by being who you are, loving yourself, and being compassionate and kind.” Adania Reyes is originally from Mexico, but she lives in Canada. She is a model, actress, singer, English teacher, and she runs a photography business. In our conversation, she told us about how she grew up in Mexico in a family with a lot of sexual and physical abuse. She grew up with a lot of anger and hurt, which led her to be slightly out of control when she was a teenager until she got to high school and entered a local drama club, where she discovered acting and loved it. Adania realized that her objective in life wasn’t having a career or being successful in her business but was to have an impactful career on people's lives. When she changed her perspective of how she wanted things, her life started to change, and now she just feels happy with what she has now.Catch this new episode of Rehab Rebels out now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and all podcast platforms available. For links and show notes, head to:https://rehabrebels.org/018Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Start your Rehab Rebel Journey!Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show
Pilates Cash Based Business with Pilates Instructor & Author Donna Gambino PT RR 017
Mar 2 2023
Pilates Cash Based Business with Pilates Instructor & Author Donna Gambino PT RR 017
#017 Listen to how Donna started & grew her pilates cash based business. Alternative career to pilates cash based business. “It’s funny when you make the right connections. If you have an idea or a book you think is worth it, contact them! You have nothing to lose!” Donna Gambino is a Physical Therapist with 30+ years in the field. She went to Wayne State University in Detroit, and after that, she moved to Cleveland, where she got a job at a clinic thanks to a Cardiac Rehab internship she did. After a while, she started struggling with the job because there wasn’t enough staff. She decided to change to another clinic, but after a year, she saw the same problems, just in a different location: more patients, less help, and promised bonuses that never came. In our conversation, Donna told us about how she got to the point where she had to start brainstorming about what she could do to help others. During this time, she discovered Pilates and decided to look into the certification programs, and she liked it. After that, she was encouraged to write a book while training in Pilates, and everything just fell into place. She finished the book and self-published it; she decided to leave the clinic and started to offer Pilates classes. She started with one class, and after a while, people began asking her for private sessions. She then decided to open a studio at her house, apart from the group classes. In our episode, Donna told us about how she created her team by just networking in her area and how she kept promoting herself with all the struggles involved with self-employment. She still wanted to use her PT experience to help others reduce pain, have a functional life and do what they like. She was able to do this through Pilates.Catch this new episode of Rehab Rebels out now on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and all podcast platforms available. For links and show notes, head to:https://rehabrebels.org/017Complete the podcast listener survey here :)Start your Rehab Rebel Journey!Receive access to FREE monthly progress updates, interview schedule, and a BONUS Top 25 Alternative Careers List for Rehab Professionals when you Start your Rebel Career and be part of the Rehab Rebels Tribe!Join us on Instagram and Facebook or your favorite social media @rehabrebels!Subscribe through Apple Podcast or Spotify!Support the show