In this episode of the VoQuest Podcast, we unpack what OT really is with occupational therapist Trevor Thompson, how it differs from physical therapy, and why it can be such a meaningful and flexible career path. Trevor shares his journey from business studies and fitness work to discovering a passion for helping people with complex medical needs, eventually earning his doctorate in occupational therapy and serving veterans in Arizona.

Along the way, Trevor explains what a day in the life of an OT looks like, from ICU and emergency room work to adaptive recreation, prosthetics, and helping patients regain the skills they need for everyday life. He also shares how shadowing helped clarify his direction, why continual learning matters long after school ends, and how his career has adapted with different stages of life.

Trevor also shares his testimony and the lessons he would share with his younger self: keep trying things, give major decisions time, and trust that God can guide your path even through confusion and pain.

Highlights

• What occupational therapy actually is and why many people misunderstand it
• Trevor’s path from fitness and business into the medical world
• How working with clients with MS, ALS, and other conditions changed his direction
• Why OT stood out in med school
• What OTs do in the ICU, ER, and hospital setting
• How occupational therapists help patients with daily life skills after injury or surgery
• The difference between OT and PT in practical terms
• Education requirements for OT, including the shift toward doctoral programs
• A lower-debt bridge path from OTA to OTD that students should know about
• Why shadowing is one of the best ways to clarify career direction
• Trevor’s framework for a fulfilling day: exercise, purpose, and relationships
• How OT can flex with changing life stages, family needs, and long-term goals
• The value of reading physical books and creating space for self-reflection
• Trevor’s advice to young people: keep jumping in, keep trying things
• Why “time is a great filter” for major life decisions
• Trevor’s personal testimony of faith, suffering, and learning to trust God again