Today we’d like to introduce you to Elaine Nguyen.
Hi Elaine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Throughout my career as a pediatric speech-language pathologist, I have always been captivated by work cultural dynamics and the common epidemic of compassion fatigue and burnout that so many helping professionals face in the medical and educational setting. It was not until I experienced compassion fatigue and burnout myself that I fully understood a critical dimension to my job as a therapist that grad school could not prepare me for; managing the emotional toll and energy exchange required in work politics and with each client and their family. I came home each evening consumed and depleted with little energy to offer myself or my family.
Through many conversations with other therapists, I saw common themes of work becoming our full identity, lack of boundaries, stressful and sometimes unrealistic work demands from our employers, and the common challenge of prioritizing others over ourselves for the “helper” personality. I loved what I did for a career but often asked myself if these other parts that accompanied my work were normal or if this was how becoming jaded began.
Fast forward to a therapy session with a 3-year-old client where I educated the parent on the power of play and its benefits. I pondered, as adults, do we have time to play, and what does that look like for us? That unlocked an “ah-ha” moment for me where I realized the tenets of play, connection, and alignment that I anchor my clinical practice on are the exact elements so many healers, helpers, and parents need to prioritize to sustain balance and joy for themselves.
I turned to social media and created content that reflected lessons I learned along my journey of cultivating life-work balance. As a result, I had many individuals reach out for advice, support, or connection. The beauty of this unexpected community I gained and the gratitude I felt birthed another purpose for me: to help the helpers and givers of our world. I have since continued as a digital content creator, collaborating with other like-minded leaders and designing mindful-wellness resources and products. My vision is to one-day offer micro-events (in-person workshops), host wellness retreats for therapists, and work with a publisher to bring my digital products to life! Until then, you can explore my work on my platform at @EmbracingWholeness on Instagram or my Etsy shop.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest joy and challenge simultaneously is embodying the entrepreneurial spirit! Some days the need for grit, courage, vulnerability, authenticity, and risk-taking is exhilarating and liberating, while other days, it feels draining and terrifying. As an entrepreneur, there are many hats to juggle; I’m the visionary, creator, designer, editor, marketer, etc. There’s a huge learning curve with each hat, and it can be daunting to know that I will never truly feel like I have mastered my craft. This leads to momentary feelings of doubt or imposter syndrome when making decisions. However, on the flip side, it is the same reason that draws me to create. I will always have the opportunity to grow, learn, and evolve. The freedom to bring alive ideas and visions I carry always outweighs the challenges or fears I may experience.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Outside of my Elaine SLP private practice, I have my Embracing Wholeness platform. I offer monthly coaching, group workshops, digital mindful-wellness products, and self-care resources ranging from reflection journals, affirmation cards, wall art, organizers, screensavers, etc. Though it may seem like two completely different realms of work, being a speech-language pathologist and a digital creator/coach, they are rooted in the same foundation of cultivating alignment, connection, and play. I see the themes and gaps between what we as a society encourage and nourish in children, yet somewhere along the way, deny ourselves as adults the permission to engage in, such as rest and play! Play is critical for a child’s overall development. I will argue it is just as important to maintain as an adult, for it is a source of ongoing creativity, resilience, and flexible problem-solving skills.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My entrepreneurial vision predates my time here as a private practice owner and digital content creator. Where most kids would fondly recall memories of roaming the streets and cul-de-sacs of their childhood home, I look back and see vivid memories of myself exploring the streets where many AAPI-owned small businesses resided, including my mom’s. My mom managed and owned a Vietnamese music shop nestled in the International District in Seattle, WA. I witnessed firsthand the value, freedom, and challenges of being your own boss. I learned about product fulfillment, marketing, relational building, and most importantly, cultivating and sharing a community through my mom. These experiences from my childhood are the seeds of all of my blossoming creative ventures and inspiration today!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elaineslp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracingwholeness
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/embracingwholeness
