Ep 34. The OT Guide to Building Wealth without Burnout with Doug Vestal
Show Summary:
Talking about money can feel a little taboo in our profession, but the truth is, financial stress plays a huge role in burnout—and as OTs, we need to be having these conversations. In this episode, I’m sitting down with Doug Vestal, fellow personal finance enthusiast and author of Financial Freedom for OTs: A Guide to Building Wealth Without Burnout, to dive deep into what financial freedom actually looks like for occupational therapists.
Doug shares his personal journey, including how his own family’s financial struggles shaped his passion for financial literacy in the OT community. We’re talking about money mindsets, student loan debt, entrepreneurship, and why understanding your ‘freedom number’ is key to building a career (and life!) you love. Plus, Doug breaks down practical strategies for managing finances, avoiding burnout, and even stepping into private practice.
If you’re ready to take control of your finances and create more options for yourself—without sacrificing your well-being—this is the episode for you!
In today’s show, we’re chatting about:
Why financial freedom is essential for OTs and how money stress contributes to burnout.
Doug Vestal’s personal journey and what led him to advocate for financial literacy in the OT community.
How money mindset influences financial success and the shifts OTs need to make.
Creative strategies for tackling student loan debt and accelerating repayment.
The concept of a "freedom number" and how it guides financial independence.
Exploring private practice and entrepreneurship as pathways to financial and time freedom.
Guest Bio:
Doug Vestal, Ph.D., helps OTs attain occupational choice and freedom by starting private pay practices. He co-founded The Functional Pelvis, a private pay OT practice with his OT wife, Lindsey. He has over 10 years’ experience managing an OT private practice and has helped 100s of OTs start private pay practices. Before working with OTs he spent 15 years in senior management positions on Wall Street, including the Global Head of Counterparty Credit Risk at a major investment bank. He loves combining his business acumen, passion for entrepreneurship, and his deep knowledge of OTs to help them find treatment, time and money freedom on their terms. He has a Master’s in Financial Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Applied Probability. He is the author of the book “Financial Freedom for OTs: A Guide to Building Wealth Without Burnout” and of the upcoming book “The Definitive Guide to Starting a Thriving Private Pay OT Practice”
Resources
Purchase “Financial Freedom for OTs: A Guide to Building Wealth Without Burnout” | Amazon
Follow Doug on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook Group | Youtube
Connect with Doug’s Community: Website
Join the new FB Group: Money Matters in Occupational Therapy
Get in touch
