Born from candid conversations and shared experiences.

OTs Gone Rogue began as a podcast — a space for story-telling, inspirational interviews and shared reflection.

For founder and host Melissa LaPointe, it was a way to weave her own experiences with the voices of others —  to ask difficult questions about how we practice, and to shine a light on the many ways occupational therapists are expanding their influence—through education, entrepreneurship, community leadership, and program development.

From Podcast to Platform

Over time, the podcast conversations highlighted a common theme: many therapists were rethinking how they wanted their work to look. Some were developing side businesses or launching new programs; others were adjusting their roles to better align with their strengths.

Therapists wrote in saying they had used an episode to rethink a service model, restructure an offer, or approach conversations differently in their workplace. Others shared that hearing someone else’s experience gave them the confidence to try something new, even in a small way. People also began reaching out with questions—how to price an offer, how to design a program, or how to navigate a shift in direction.

What began as a podcast gradually became a place where therapists could learn differently—not through rigid instruction, but through reflection, conversation, and practical insight. Over time, that shaped what OTs Gone Rogue is today—a platform that supports therapists who are exploring leadership, developing programs, or stepping into entrepreneurship.

What It Means to Go Rogue

Going rogue isn’t about abandoning the profession or rejecting traditional models. For many therapists, it simply means stepping into a version of their work that aligns more closely with their strengths, values, and lived experience.
 
It often shows up in practical ways:
  • Creating an offering that supports clients more effectively than conventional formats
  • Restructuring a schedule to allow for more meaningful work
  •  Proposing a new role or program within an existing organization
  • Developing a small business or side service
  • Shifting into leadership or education
     
In most cases, it begins with noticing that something isn’t working as well as it could—and being willing to explore an alternative.
At its core, it reflects a mindset: that work can be designed with clarity, purpose, and sustainability—and that therapists can contribute in ways that go beyond traditional service delivery.

What We Stand For

OTs Gone Rogue is shaped by a set of values that guide how we teach, support therapists, and design learning experiences.

Connection
Change doesn’t happen in isolation. We believe learning is relational—built through conversation, shared experiences, and being witnessed in our growth. Support, honest dialogue, and community matter.

Sustainability
We help therapists design work that supports their real lives. That includes systems that reduce decision fatigue, structures that protect capacity, and ways of working that minimize burnout rather than fuel it.

Compassion
Career change—whether into leadership, entrepreneurship, or program development—is often layered with uncertainty. We approach that process with curiosity, responsiveness, and respect for the lived experiences people bring into learning spaces.

Freedom
We believe therapists should have agency over their careers and financial futures. Whether that means location independence, a different business model, or more flexible service delivery, freedom includes options—not just obligations.

Integrity
We value clear decision-making, ethical pricing, and building work that genuinely supports transformation. We believe that when therapists are well-resourced—financially, emotionally, and structurally—they can have broader impact.

Generativity
Knowledge becomes more powerful when it’s shared. We design programs and conversations that ripple outward—supporting not just the learner, but the communities and clients they go on to influence.

About Our Founder

OTs Gone Rogue was founded by Melissa LaPointe, an occupational therapist who has spent the past two decades working across clinical practice, program development, adult education, and consulting.

Melissa’s work has focused on helping therapists develop offers, programs, and roles that reflect their strengths—not just what the system has available. Her approach integrates curriculum design, systems thinking, and women-centered leadership, with an emphasis on sustainability and practical execution.

In addition to hosting the OTs Gone Rogue podcast, Melissa provides education and mentorship for therapists who are expanding their work into entrepreneurship, program delivery, or leadership positions. Her work is grounded in clarity, thoughtful structure, and meaningful long-term impact.

Read More of Melissa's Story >>