My Good Allied Health Practice

Amy Geach
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  • Business
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My Good Allied Health Practice is a podcast to uplift allied health practice owners in their business journey. I'm all about being smart with heart! On the podcast I will share tips, deeper conversations and wise words to fuel the soul of your practice, shift your mindset, and inspire you into action so you can continue to create the business and life you enjoy. I am all for businesses that create good in the world.... good things for you, good things for your clients, and good things for your community. I'll uncover things about being vulnerable, being brave, pivoting, failures, good wins, things that work, things that don't work and I'll talk with other practice owners who are doing good in their journeys.

  1. 5d ago

    Why Practice Owners Feel So Tired (Even When They Love Their Work)

    Have you ever reached the end of the day and wondered why everything suddenly feels harder than it should? You still love your work. You still care deeply about your clients and your team. But the decisions feel heavier, the motivation isn't quite there, and even the simplest tasks seem to take more effort than they used to. This episode was inspired by The Cognitive Athlete by Clint Rahe, a book we recently explored in our Connection Book Club. It gave me a completely different way of thinking about the mental demands of running an allied health practice and why so many practice owners are feeling tired, even when they aren't necessarily burnt out. Sometimes the problem isn't that we need another productivity hack. Sometimes we simply need to recognise that our brains have been working incredibly hard, and they deserve the same care and recovery we would give our bodies. In this episode, I talk about:Why running an allied health practice creates an enormous cognitive loadThe difference between physical tiredness and cognitive fatigueWhy many practice owners mistake fatigue for a lack of discipline or productivityWhat elite athletes can teach us about preparation, performance and recoveryThe importance of recognising the different seasons of business and leadershipA simple question that helps cut through the overwhelm: "If I could only work for two hours today, what would I choose to work on?"Why recovery isn't something we earn after finishing the work, it's part of doing meaningful work well. My biggest takeawayOne of the biggest lessons this book gave me was recognising that I spend a lot of time intentionally managing my business, but not nearly enough time intentionally managing myself. As practice owners, we often expect ourselves to think clearly, make great decisions and perform at a high level every single day. But just because we can keep going doesn't mean we should. Maybe the answer isn't squeezing more into our day. Maybe it's creating more opportunities to recover before we reach the point where everything starts to feel flat. If this episode leaves you with one thought, I hope it's this: You're not failing. You might simply be cognitively tired. Giving yourself permission to recover isn't selfish... it might just be one of the most important leadership decisions you make. Thank you so much for listening. If this conversation resonated with you, I'd love to invite you to learn more about The Connection, our membership for allied health practice owners. It's a place to connect, learn, reflect and remember that you don't have to navigate practice ownership on your own. You can find out more and explore our free resources at https://theconnectionco.com.au

    23 min

  2. Jun 23

    The 3 Pay Rise Mistakes I've Made as a Practice Owner

    The 3 Pay Rise Mistakes I've Made as a Practice OwnerWhen Fair Work recently announced upcoming wage increases, I noticed something interesting. There seemed to be two common responses. Some practice owners went very quiet, while others felt relatively unaffected because they already pay above award wages. As I sat with it, I realised there was a bigger conversation to be had. In this episode, I'm sharing three of the biggest mistakes I've made over my 20 years as a practice owner when it comes to pay rises, remuneration, and leading a team. These aren't payroll mistakes or compliance issues. They're leadership lessons I've learned, sometimes the hard way, about balancing care for my team with care for the health of the business. In this episode, I talk about: Why I used to think a pay rise was the only way to recognise and reward someoneWhat I've learned about the difference between recognition and remunerationHow avoiding difficult conversations can create more stress for everyone involvedThe importance of understanding the numbers before making people decisionsHow pay rises impact far more than just wagesFinding the balance between leading with heart and leading with sustainabilityWhy being a good employer doesn't mean saying yes to everything One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that good intentions don't pay wages. Healthy businesses pay wages. This episode is an invitation to step back, look at the bigger picture, and think about how you're approaching pay rises, recognition, leadership and business sustainability in your own practice. Questions to Reflect OnAs you're listening, I encourage you to think about: If money is only one part of the equation, what other opportunities for growth and recognition can you offer your team?Is there a conversation you're avoiding because you're worried about disappointing someone?Are you making people decisions with both your heart and your numbers?If you say yes to a pay rise, what might you need to say no to elsewhere in the business? Connect with MeIf you'd like more support navigating the challenges of practice ownership, I'd love to welcome you into our community. You can learn more about The Connection Co and the Allied Health Connection membership at: The Connection Co Because building a good allied health practice isn't about choosing between smart and heart. It's about bringing both together

    21 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    5 Tools I Actually Use in My Own Practice

    I have tried a lot of systems, apps, and tools in my time as a practice owner. Some have promised me productivity bliss, but most ended up as clutter on my phone. So in this episode, I'm sharing the five tools that genuinely work for me. These are the ones that suit how my brain works, that help me connect with my team, stay organised, and actually get things done. Here's what I covered in this episode: Why I finally stopped trying to make phone-only apps work for meThe key questions I ask before adopting any new toolMy favourite walkie-talkie-style app that helps me connect with my team and clients (without the email overload) - https://www.voxer.com/A visual, structure-loving-but-not-rigid person's app for daily planning - https://www.tiimoapp.com/The clinic communication tool that took us out of email chaos and into calm - https://connecteam.com/A project manager that helps me brain dump and plan big things - https://clickup.com/My old faithful for storing and finding all the things (even if you're a dump-and-dasher) - https://drive.google.com/drive/ Takeaways: The right tools are the ones that reduce mental load, not add to itYou don’t need the fanciest system, just one that works with your brain, your energy, and your current stage of businessIf a tool feels like homework, it's not the right one for youAsk yourself: Does this live where I already work? Will it make things easier or harder? Do I really have the capacity to build a new habit right now?Remember to check out the Busy Blind Spot Quiz to get insight on how you're currently approaching work https://theconnectionco.com.au/resources/ Thanks for listening! I hope this episode helps you feel a little more confident choosing the right supports for your workday. If you’ve found a tool that fits you perfectly, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. And if you’re looking for more support and connection in your practice journey, come join us at The Connection Co! We are here to make things easier for you. https://theconnectionco.com.au/membership/

    16 min

  4. 11/07/2025

    When I realised I wasn't wearing enough hats (I know!!!)

    Have you ever had that moment where you're sitting at your desk surrounded by Post-it notes, printer problems, and unfinished progress notes and thought, "Hang on, this is a lot more than being a therapist"? Yep, me too. In this episode, I take you back to when I first started my practice (hi, baby Ruby in the pram!) and share the very real realisation that we wear way more hats than we ever signed up for. In this episode, I chat about: The funny but accurate concept of an "entrepreneurial seizure" from The E-Myth Revisited by Michael GerberUnderstanding the three roles every business owner juggles: technician, manager, and entrepreneurWhy we spend too much time in our safe, comfy clinician zone (and what that costs us)What happens when the entrepreneur hat stays hidden in the cupboardPractical ways to carve out time and space for managing and growing your practiceGiving yourself permission to grow (without tying it to being even more busy!) Reflections & Takeaways: This episode is all about recognising where you're spending your time, and whether it's where you need to be. Technician, manager, entrepreneur: they’re all crucial roles, but most of us cling to our clinical roots while the business side of things quietly frays around the edges. The moment we start to truly own our business owner identity? That’s when things shift. Remember: you don’t have to grow a big team. You don’t have to step away from clients entirely. But you do deserve calm, clarity, and support. And that means building systems, carving out CEO time, and embracing all the hats (even if they’re a bit uncomfortable at first). If you’re feeling like the technician role is taking over your world, I hope this episode gave you some practical ways to step into your manager and entrepreneur shoes a little more often. And if you need help doing that, come join us inside The Connection...it's the place where we work on these things together... Smart with Heart! You can learn more here: https://theconnectionco.com.au

    29 min

  5. 10/08/2025

    Pre-holiday emotional jetlag...and how to avoid it!

    If you are juggling school holidays, sick kids, and a business that never seems to switch off, you are so not alone. In this episode, I recorded mid-school-holidays (with one grumpy child off with Dad!), I'm unpacking what it really takes to get rest when you're a practice owner. After 19 years in business, I still sometimes get this wrong. I block out the holidays in my calendar, but I forget to actually plan for them. And what ends up happening is a half-switched-off, half-working juggle that leaves no one feeling like they've had a proper break. So today is all about taking a REAL holiday. Not the kind with tinsel and tension or school holidays that feel like a logistical headache. I'm talking about the kind of break where your soul says yes, your laptop stays closed, and no one asks you for toast every three minutes. In this episode, I share: Why practice owners struggle to switch off on holidaysThe frantic pre-holiday energy (you know the one... 117 tasks before Friday!)What actually makes a break feel like a real breakThe importance of energetic boundaries before and after a holidayHow to prep your team (or yourself if you're solo!)Tips like the fake start date, the holiday FAQ, and the single point of contactWhy "no new projects" is your new holiday mantraWhat to do when you come back so you don’t feel punished for taking a breakAnd why it’s okay (essential, even) to book that pastry-and-a-book moment Real holidays don’t just happen. They take intention and planning, not just of the calendar logistics, but of our mindset. I want you to feel like you got a break, not just your business. That means buffers before and after, boundaries, and giving yourself full permission to be a human who needs rest. Thanks for being here. If this episode resonated, feel free to share it with a friend who needs the reminder too. You can learn more about how to connect with me and join our beautiful community over at theconnectionco.com.au. Want my freebie download?? I’ve made you a little freebie: a "Real Holiday Prep Checklist" just for practice owners. Send us an email and we'll get it over to you hello@theconnectionco.com.au

    31 min

  6. 09/18/2025

    The Myths & Moments of Burnout in Allied Health with Nicole de la Perelle

    I’m really glad you’re here because today’s episode hits that place many of us settle into without even realising... a quiet burnout. Enough to feel tired, a little despondent, maybe like you’ve lost your spark. I had Nicole de la Perelle from Encourage OT on, and together we lean into what burnout actually looks like.. its early whispers, and what we, especially as practice owners, can do before it becomes the roar. This one’s honest, hopeful, and full of practical stuff. What We CoveredBreaking down what burnout really is: exhaustion, cynicism/negativity, and reduced professional efficacy.Nicole's own journey into recognising burnout (thanks to an art therapist) and how hard it was to admit.Common myths & misconceptions in allied health: such as it’s all-or-nothing (you’re burnt out or you’re fine), it’s a personal failing (“if only I worked harder or was better”) and generational myths (“Millennials/Gen Z are soft” etc.)The stages of burnout, from early warning (“whispers”) to full burnout, and how often we mislabel those early stages.The factors beyond hours & caseload that contribute: job demands vs resources, workplace culture, feeling heard/seen, connection, supervision/mentorship, recognition.Isolation: even people surrounded by clients or in teams can feel isolated, especially if they're the only one doing certain tasks or working remotely / alone.What practice owners can stop doing to reduce burnout risk in their teams!!! Such as being defensive about feedback, waiting until something is “big” before acting, and ignoring small boundary creepWhat practice owners (and individuals) can start/keep doing, such as leaning into small changes: firm boundaries, carving out time for connection, rest, hobbies or small joy things, making connection points in the workplace: team lunches, welfare sessions, being intentional about checking inRecognising that rest (weekends, holidays) shouldn't feel like the only way to recover — if you need those just to make it through, something is off. Metaphors that stuck: “Whisper” vs “scream” stages of burnoutFirefly: glowing by gathering from environment, turning on/off light, sustaining glowPouring from an empty cup vs pouring from overflow Thanks for going through this one with us. If anything here hit home... maybe you thought, “Yeah, that’s me… and I’ve dismissed it too long” , then this is your moment to lean in. Try one small shift this week: maybe it’s a boundary, maybe it’s checking in with someone, maybe it's re‑instating that team lunch spot. If you want more support, Nicole’s work is GOLD! And if you ever need someone to bounce ideas off, reach out. You are not alone in this, and you do deserve to feel connected, supported, and less burdened. Resource list courtesy of Nicole:Sydney Burnout Measure. https://www.naturallywith.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Sydney-Burnout-Measure-Questionnaire.pdfUtrecht Work Engagement Scale https://www.wilmarschaufeli.nl/tests/Job Resources and Demands Model https://www.wilmarschaufeli.nl/publications/Schaufeli/476.pdf And application in practice to NDIS space (as an interesting read!) https://nds.org.au/images/events/Banners_2022/BETA_NDIS_Workforce_Findings_Webinar_slides.pdf5 Language of Appreciation at Work book https://www.appreciationatwork.com/books/5-languages-appreciation-workplace/ How to work with Nicole:Mentoring and supervision: https://encourageot.com/Burnout Course: https://encourageot.com/course/ Workplace training: https://encourageot.com/

    1h 17m

  7. 09/10/2025

    Did your employee pay rise become self-sabotage?

    If you've ever laid awake at night wondering whether to give a team member a pay rise, and how on earth to afford it, this episode is for you. It’s a topic that comes up all the time in my mentoring sessions and inside The Connection Co. membership, so I wanted to get honest about what really happens when we start increasing wages without a clear plan. Spoiler alert: I’ve made all the mistakes. In this episode, I chat about the sometimes tricky, often heartfelt process of giving pay rises in a way that honours both your values and the financial reality of running a business. There’s no dry Fair Work lecture here, just real talk, some gentle truths. Here's what I cover:The first uncomfortable truth about pay rises: the money has to come from somewhere (and no, it’s not Monopoly money)The three buckets that pay rises can come out of—profit, your own wage, or practice expenses—and why all three can cause resentment if not managed wellHow to avoid generosity becoming self-sabotageWhat to consider when deciding how much to increase a wageWhy you need to be clear about whether a pay rise is a thank you for past work or a carrot for future expectationsThe importance of balancing your nice-boss heart with your business-owner brainA great little calculation: the wage to income ratio, what it is, how to work it out, and what it can tell youWhy clarity and communication with your team is just as important as the dollars on the payslip Key takeaways and reflections:Pay rises are not just a lovely gesture, they’re ongoing financial commitments that must be backed by a sustainable planYou can be both generous and responsible, those two things aren’t mutually exclusiveClear communication about wage levels, award rates, and business sustainability can save everyone from future misunderstandingsChecking your team’s wage to income ratios can help you make smarter, values-aligned wage decisionsIt’s okay to pause. You don’t have to say yes to every request out of guilt or fear If you’re currently wrestling with whether (or how) to give a pay rise, I hope this episode has helped you feel less alone and more equipped. The balance between looking after your team and looking after your business is a delicate one, but you can absolutely do both. I’ve also created a free fact sheet to walk you through the wage to income ratio—what it is, how to calculate it, and what it means for your team. You can download it over at theconnectionco.com.au on the podcast page. Thanks for being here—I’m so grateful to share this journey with you.

    27 min

  8. 09/02/2025

    What if you train them and they leave?! The balance of training your allied health team members.

    What if you train them... and they leave? Hi lovely ones. Today’s episode touches a nerve that so many of us feel as practice owners: that sting when you’ve trained someone, invested your time, heart and energy, and then… they leave. Ouch. It’s one of the most vulnerable parts of leading a team. And it’s also where we often freeze up, unsure of whether to keep backing our people or retreating to protect ourselves. But here’s the thing: not training your team comes with its own big risks too. So in this episode, I’m getting honest about the fear behind training (and re-training), why I built a long-game training culture at Health Nest, and how that recently led to us winning a very special award (trophy and all!). But I’m also sharing the behind-the-scenes missteps, false starts, and very human reality of building something like this in a busy allied health practice. In this episode, I talk about: The old-but-golden quote that changed how I think about trainingThe real cost of not training your team (and no one warns you about it)What we actually do at Health Nest – our 12-month onboarding, daily planning, mentoring, and values timeWhy we ditched the word “supervision” in favour of “mentoring”Building a culture of grace (because learning doesn’t happen overnight)The messiness behind the systems – and why that’s totally normalHow to start small if you’re not there yetWhy supporting your team, even if they leave, is still a legacy Some takeaways from this chat: Training is more than teaching skills – it’s living your practice values.Yes, people might leave… but they might also stay, flourish, and become your leaders.It’s okay if your systems aren’t perfect. It’s okay if you have to cancel mentoring for the third week in a row. You’re not doing it wrong... you’re doing it real.You don’t need a 10-module program to start. A checklist and one honest conversation can go a long way.Building a training culture is iterative. It grows just like your team does – one awkward, wonderful step at a time. Thanks for being here with me. Whether you’re in the early days of figuring this out, or you've already built something you're proud of.. I see you. And I hope this episode helps you feel less alone in the mess and magic of it all. If it landed for you, feel free to share it with a friend or leave a review... it really helps other practice owners find the podcast. You can also learn more about our Allied Health community over at theconnectionco.com.au. Until next time, keep building your good allied health practice. Much love, Amy

    22 min
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About

My Good Allied Health Practice is a podcast to uplift allied health practice owners in their business journey. I'm all about being smart with heart! On the podcast I will share tips, deeper conversations and wise words to fuel the soul of your practice, shift your mindset, and inspire you into action so you can continue to create the business and life you enjoy. I am all for businesses that create good in the world.... good things for you, good things for your clients, and good things for your community. I'll uncover things about being vulnerable, being brave, pivoting, failures, good wins, things that work, things that don't work and I'll talk with other practice owners who are doing good in their journeys.

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