💡 Back to school… and back to basics

Hey Reader,

Okay, I know I’m late. School’s been in session for a minute now—but I still wanted to share some amazing news:

I’m officially back in school!

If you’ve been reading this newsletter for a while, you probably know what I do (and if you’re new—welcome!). At Ellyvated, we provide strategic operations and marketing support to mission-driven founders, especially in healthcare and education. That work has introduced me to some incredible clients over the years—leaders doing powerful things in ESG, DEI, government programs, and clinical practice.

But here’s something I never expected: working with two brilliant occupational therapists through Ellyvated completely changed my trajectory.

Before then, I didn’t really know what OT was. Despite neurodivergence in my family, work injuries, and my own AuDHD experience, I had never spoken to an OT in a deep, intentional way. But in the last four years, I’ve come to love the profession—and more importantly, the mindset it shapes.

Occupational therapy sees the world through a holistic lens, not a reductionist one. It values context, capacity, and care. It aligns with how my brain works and how I was raised—cross-culturally, relationally, intuitively.

So going back to school to study OT while continuing to lead Ellyvated? It just made sense.

We’re growing. But I don’t want to grow just to do more—I want to grow to do better. Studying OT helps me serve my clients with even more insight and empathy. It helps our team design systems that reduce stress, not add to it. And it reminds me that strategy doesn’t have to come at the cost of wellness.

So yeah. It’s a lot. This summer, I was overwhelmed with pre-reqs and shifting priorities. But you know what? When something feels aligned, it doesn’t feel so heavy.
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And if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, I want to gently ask:

Is it external—or is it self-imposed?

Sometimes we set the bar too high without even realizing it. Sometimes we need strategy. And sometimes, we just need to pause, check in, and breathe.

If that’s you, here’s a gentle next step:

• Book a clarity call if you need a listener, a strategy girl, or a second brain
• Or just reply and say hi—I’d love to hear what you’re working through

Thanks for being here. I’ll be back soon with more updates (and maybe more good news 👀).

Wishing you calm growth and lightness this season ✨

Sincerely,
Elly

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