Zach’s Singapore memories: chili crab vs. black pepper crab… and why durian is a hard no

Nikki’s clear explanation of occupational therapy: “occupation” = everything meaningful you do (self-care, relationships, leisure, work, and more)

Nikki’s personal story: growing up neurodivergent before there was language for it—and how her parents intuitively accommodated her needs

The burnout turning point: leaving “fix people” systems and rejecting a rigid medical model of wellness

Nikki’s definition of wellbeing:

fluctuates over time

rooted in strengths

less about “fixing” and more about capacity to meet the moment

The myth of “permanent ease” and why believing it exists can create unnecessary suffering

Why Nikki’s work is relationship-based: healing happens in safe connection and community

A body-first approach: how emotions live in the body and why somatic + sensory strategies matter

Zach’s big question: did COVID reset our nervous systems—and our social bandwidth?

needing downtime after holidays

being “done” by day four of family time

the post-trip decompression crash

Nikki on masking and why it’s exhausting (and often invisible)

A practical metaphor: stress as a balloon—why we need to release pressure along the way instead of bursting

Work travel reality: how constant meetings + dinners can overload even highly social people

The rise of neurodivergence awareness: progress, nuance, and why “it’s your superpower” can sometimes oversimplify real challenges

Workplace wellness culture:

why “unlimited vacation” can be a trap

why rest is treated like it’s “not productive”

Nikki’s point on the brain: why creativity and solutions come from nothingness (default mode network)

The Telepathy Tapes conversation: what it suggests about non-speaking communication and how often competence is underestimated

Intuition, attunement, micro-expressions, and “feeling someone’s intent” before words

How nonstop news cycles and social media whiplash hit the nervous system (cute puppy → catastrophe in seconds)

Hope as a survival tool: using history as proof humans endure, adapt, and rebuild

Nikki’s favorite part of her work: the quiet “integration moments” with clients that feel like real change happening

How to connect with Nikki: Instagram: @nickismittherapy (Zach notes he’ll link it in the episode description)

Nikki Smit — Occupational Therapist & neurodivergent-focused practitioner (Singapore)

Instagram: @nickismittherapy

Nikki's Website https://projectplay.sg/

Podcast song by SIXFOOT 5: https://www.sixfoot5prod.com

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sixfoot-5/1551774977

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5rHMzoU0G0fLhaBsrQiOOY?si=laSZ5hiKTYubJJyhrzf2JQ

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