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124. An OT’s Journey: Living Abroad, Starting a Business, Creating Freedom

What happens when your OT career is suddenly put on pause because life takes you abroad?

In this inspiring episode of the OT Yourself to Freedom Podcast, host Beki Eakins sits down with occupational therapist and entrepreneur Rachel Dexter to explore her journey from NHS clinician to business owner, after relocating overseas and being unable to practise as an OT.

Rachel shares how moving to Denmark forced her to think differently about her career, how she turned her occupational therapy skills into an online business, and how she now balances NHS work with entrepreneurship to create a lifestyle that truly works for her and her family.

If you are an occupational therapist dreaming of more flexibility, considering living abroad, or curious about starting a business alongside clinical work, this episode will open your eyes to what is possible.

 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

In this honest conversation, Rachel and Beki explore:

  • What it feels like to give up your OT role when moving abroad

  • How Rachel used her occupational therapy skills to build an online business from scratch

  • The mindset shifts required when becoming an entrepreneur as an OT

  • Why confidence often comes after action, not before

  • How coaching and support made a huge difference in Rachel’s early business journey

  • Turning 1 to 1 work into scalable online courses, memberships, and digital resources  

Key Takeaway for Occupational Therapists

Rachel’s story is a powerful reminder that you already have everything you need.

Your communication skills, creativity, problem solving, and ability to build relationships are not “just common sense”. They are highly valuable and deeply transferable.

You do not need endless extra qualifications to create something meaningful.

You need belief, support, and the courage to step outside your comfort zone.

Connect with Beki

Are you ready to leave the whinger mindset behind and embrace your inner go-getter? Beki helps OTs worldwide design, launch, and scale their online business

Free Resource: Download Beki’s free overnight mindset meditation for free to help you build confidence, overcome money mindset challenges, and develop self-belief.

Join OT Yourself To Freedom Membership:

Discover the only membership designed specifically for OTs to create freedom-based businesses by leveraging the skills you already have. Learn to design and sell  offers, market effectively, and align your work with your purpose.

nesses. Learn how to tap into your purpose and create an offer that sells with ease..

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Meet Rachel

Rachel is an experienced Occupational Therapist who has successfully transferred her OT skills into building and running her own business. Having lived and worked abroad, she brings a broad perspective on identity, work, and what it means to design a life that fits — not just survive one that doesn’t. She founded Healthy English in 2019, a training and coaching business that works with both individuals and NHS trusts. Healthy English supports international professionals to bridge the gap between their clinical knowledge and skills, and their ability to apply them effectively within a different cultural and communication context. Through resources, teaching, workshops, and courses, the work focuses on confidence, professional and social relationships, and navigating the unspoken expectations of UK healthcare.

She combines running her business with ongoing part-time work as an Occupational Therapist, using the same core skills across both roles.

 

Email: [email protected]

Website www.healthyenglish.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/racheldexter/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthyenglishgroup

 

About the Podcast

OT Yourself To Freedom Podcast helps occupational therapists create a life and business they love. Host Beki Eakins shares practical tips, strategies, and real-world stories to inspire your journey to freedom

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