My journey to becoming a pediatric occupational therapist has been anything but straightforward. Before discovering my true calling, I worked in a variety of roles, including roofing, tenant remodels, building mountain bikes, quality assurance for new homes, pool construction supervision, swim instruction, and even owning and operating a mobile shave ice business, to name a few. Every couple of years, I found myself changing jobs, constantly searching for something that truly resonated with me.

Growing up in Abbotsford, British Columbia, I struggled in traditional academic settings. I preferred hands-on learning and dreaded test-taking, especially in math. Sitting still at a desk felt like a challenge, and I often found myself thinking, "Do I really have to take this test? Couldn't I just build or create something instead?"

At 19, after serving a two-year mission in Arizona for the church I grew up in, I returned home unsure of my next steps. I decided to enroll in classes at a local community college, where I met my future wife—ironically, an Arizonan who had come to Canada to study at the University of British Columbia. After two years in a long-distance relationship, we married, and I moved to Mesa, Arizona, once again uncertain about my career path.

In 2007, my wife and I embarked on our first entrepreneurial venture, Suzy’s Swim and Fitness Zone, where she taught swimming and tumbling lessons out of our home. This endeavor unexpectedly became the catalyst for my future in pediatric occupational therapy. Working with children, particularly those with autism, required me to adapt my teaching approach. Many of them would repeatedly say, "I can't, I can't." I found myself countering with, "I know you can’t swim yet, but you have to start saying, 'I can.' The more you say 'I can't,' the more your mind and body refuse to try. In my pool, you're not allowed to say 'I can't.' You have to say, 'I can do this.'"

Parents of clients began encouraging me to pursue occupational therapy. I had never even heard of OT. After looking it up and seeing it required a Master’s degree and considering I had not even finished my associate’s—I quickly dismissed the idea. Additionally, my past academic struggles made the idea seem impossible. The thought of returning to school filled me with self-doubt. One day, a mother of one of my students, who had become a friend, told me, "You really need to go back to school and become an OT—you’re amazing with these kids." I immediately dismissed the idea, reminding her that I had failed college algebra twice over a decade ago. Her response hit me hard: "You're being a hypocrite. You tell my kids every day that they’re not allowed to say ‘I can’t.’”

With that wake-up call, I enrolled in community college, determined to face my fears. I tackled the very math class I had failed twice before and earned an A. Throughout that time, I repeated to myself daily, "I can do this, I can do this." That persistence led me to graduate with from Arizona State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science Exercise and Wellness, Summa Cum Laude.

My journey at ATSU-Arizona School of Health Sciences’ (ATSU-ASHS) Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program began through a recommendation from a friend and program alumnus. The program provided me with invaluable fieldwork experiences and hands-on learning opportunities. However, the road wasn’t easy. Balancing school, work, fieldwork difficulties including a health issue that ended with me having to take a break and start over with a new facility, extending my program an additional 12 weeks, an HOA dispute that shut down our home-based business, and complications with my wife’s twin pregnancy—including emergency surgery at 21 weeks—became overwhelming. With encouragement from the department chair and the learning center, I transitioned to part-time study (which extended the program an additional year) and sought accommodations, which made a tremendous difference in my ability to graduate.

Even after graduation, challenges persisted. I painfully admit that I failed the National Board Exam three times (which extended me getting my state license by 9 months). It wasn’t until I sought a tutor for my fourth attempt that I finally passed. The experience reinforced one of my core beliefs: never give up and always move forward.

Today, I work at Arizona Autism as an independent contractor under my LLC, The Rolling OT – with the Tag Line – Always Moving Forward. Arizona Autism has been a great fit. One of the highlights for me was when I was awarded Therapist of the year for 2023. In my practice I incorporate adaptive bikes, hippotherapy, aquatic therapy, virtual reality, and a variety of adaptive equipment into my interventions, to name a few. I supervise two certified occupational therapy assistants, and I have been a supervisor for level 1 and 2 fieldwork students from various schools within the US. Two of whom have gone on to graduate from ATSU. I have also been invited to guest lecture at ATSU and Midwestern University on an annual basis. Additionally, I have recently been invited to join the advisory board at ATSU. It has been an honor and a privilege to give back to the OT community in these capacities.

As The Rolling OT, I also own Lightning McQueen and Sally fan cars, which I use in my work and rent out for events. These vehicles bring joy to kids and adults alike and serve as powerful sensory tools and motivators in therapy sessions. Once a month, I take clients and caregivers for a ride, allowing them to experience the vibrations and excitement of one of the largest naturally aspirated sports cars as I shift through the gears. The cars also make appearances at fundraisers for local nonprofits like Raising Special Kids and ATSU’s Spring Health Expo. It’s incredible how something as simple as a car can brighten someone’s day. More than once, I’ve had strangers tell me they were having the worst day, but seeing Lightning McQueen instantly lifted their spirits.

I truly love being a pediatric OT. Every day, I think to myself, "I get paid to do this?" It’s an amazing feeling. My advice to those struggling to find their career path is simple: find the best fit that brings you the most meaning, and you will discover great satisfaction in life. I incorporate this philosophy with all my clients, asking them, "What matters most to you?"

At the end of the day, besides my family, providing meaningful OT services is what brings me the greatest joy. I have finally built a career I don’t need to take a vacation from.