We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Ballou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
From being a single mother of 1 my sophomore year of college to a married mother of 5 girls with multidimensional career in Occupational Therapy, balance has definitely significantly changed. I use to be Type A but with every child….let’s just say slowly turned me into a Type B with Type A undertones. Lol. I think of balance as evolving and dynamic. No area of life can be given equal attention. Some areas require more, the same less, but self awareness of needs and priorities are definitely required for balance.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As an Occupational Therapist I get to help someone everyday enjoy life a little more, find amazing resources, or perform meaningful activities that they once found difficult. What sets me apart is who I serve. I have seen both pediatric and geriatric patients all of my 9.5 years of practice. And now I support rehab therapists (ie., physical, occupational and speech) and those of Black descent through various initiatives and resources that impact that triad of therapists. I am most proud of what is to come, The RESET- an annual retreat and workshop combo dedicated for rehab therapists to unplug, unwind, recharge and have FUN. The workshops are optional but targets self-awareness, identity awareness, value assessing and purposeful vision building. By the grace of God, being know by my community, lots of prayer and consistently deciding to ‘show up’ are the things that got me to where I am today & how I’ve overcome challenges. And no, it was not easy to show up, especially when life throws you everything to take you down (circumstantial), pull you down (physical) and put you down (emotional).
Lessons I’ve learned along the way: 1) give yourself grace daily– you can’t be on point everyday, 2) partner with the Lord about career and life moves— Jesus has been my only consistent variable and has my best interest at heart, 3) speak life to. yourself, your situation, and those around you— “death and life is in the power of the tongue” & “so a (wo)man thinketh, so is (s)he”, 4) surround yourself with authentic community –being fully known and loved is everything.
I want to leave a legacy that I served clients—- yielding them with greater knowledge, growth towards their potential and grace thoughout process.
I want the world to know that I did it all for my family and to represent Him well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Lol… this one is tough because while I am a native Houstonian I have been in the far North Dallas area for over 15 years. But I would definitely take my friend to an eatery near the Heights, and touristy places like The Galleria, the Hermann Park area, and near Buffalo Bayou. I love baseball, so maybe to an Astros game, or a water recreation in the Woodlands Waterway. Other places and things to do: Emancipation Park, night cycling, the historic 3rd ward, and the pole fitness gym, just to name a few. My Houston bucket list is definitely growing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While there are a plethora of people and organizations who have had a hand in my success story, I want to dedicate this shoutout to my husband, Kevin.

Website: www.manifestmypotential.com

Instagram: @ebony_ot

Linkedin: Ashley Ballou

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.bellballou

Other: my 1st self published book: Identity Journal – <https://www.amazon.com/Identity-Journal-Ashley-Ballou/dp/B08ZBJF4F4/ref=kwrp_li_std_nodl>

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