In this insightful episode of the HerStory Podcast, host Kylie King sits down with Stephanie Ford, occupational therapist, neurodiversity specialist, and the founder of Action Forward.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience in complex disability and human function, Stephanie breaks down how business owners can protect their energy, establish firm operational boundaries, and prevent recurring burnout. She opens up about her personal journey – transitioning from government management to scaling her own private practice while pregnant and shares practical, no-nonsense strategies for managing client expectations, setting work hours, and maintaining a sustainable business model.

What You’ll Learn in Episode 85

• Stephanie explains how her background in occupational therapy shapes her practical, human-centered approach to problem-solving and business operations.

• You will learn how Stephanie’s early exposure to assistive technology in her parents’ classrooms inspired her journey into disability support and human function.

• Stephanie shares her transition from government management roles in her 20s to taking the leap into full-time private practice.

• We unpack burnout as an ongoing, recurring challenge rather than a one-time event, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and recognizing individual stress triggers.

• Stephanie details her most effective boundary-setting strategies, including maintaining a dedicated work phone, setting rigid client hours (8:30 AM to 3:30 PM), and completely disconnecting during holidays.

• You will discover “the power of the diary”—how frame-of-reference language like “the next availability is August” removes emotional manipulation and protects your time.

• Stephanie reflects on her biggest business achievements, including sustaining and growing Action Forward through COVID-19 while maintaining her family’s lifestyle.

• We explore Stephanie’s strategic pivot from direct clinical practice toward high-level consulting, neurodiversity training, and public speaking.

• Stephanie shares her core philosophy on knowing how you are wired and designing business systems that align with your personal values rather than forcing generic advice.

• You will walk away with actionable advice on separating personal life from business algorithms, managing communication channels, and prioritising what truly matters.

I am an experienced Occupational Therapist with over 20 years experience who has burnt out running my own private practice a few times. I have learnt so much and utilised skills I have been using for years to help my clients to help my self to enjoy and get excited in business again. With the neuroscience knowledge of how humans work and the practical problem solving when looking at all the occupations of life, I focus on support others to build life and work that allows them to thrive and not just survive.

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