e058 – The Part-Time Jungle Podcast: Through the Eyes of an Optometrist with Dr. Danielle Gordon

Dr. Danielle Gordon joins me on my podcast to talk about balance, being an alternative leader, education and optometry. Danielle is an optometrist and the owner of Sphere Optometry, a full-scope purpose-driven optometric practice and optical shop in Calgary Alberta. Sphere is all about kindness and connection, ocular and holistic wellness, and giving back to their local and global community. Also, the team at Sphere harbors a deep love for independent hand-crafted eyewear, and delivering intuitive and compassionate care. Sphere is also the home of the Fit to Read Project, a project that Danielle launched to connect books with kids in need.   Danielle graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degree, both with honors. Since then, she has been passionate about helping her patients to live fully and joyfully, and creating positive impact in the world around her. Outside of work, Danielle loves to spend time with her husband and two young children, get her heart rate up with a good run, and relax with a good book and hot cup of coffee. Listen in as we talk about: * Finding grace in balance. Danielle shares how she’s still learning to find balance, and the importance of giving herself grace in the process. * Being an alternative leader. Challenge the stereotypes around what it means to be a leader. * Optometry for kids. As an optometrist, Danielle shares with us signs to look out for in terms of eye health, and how to find the right optometrist for your kids. * Education as a tool. Danielle values education, reading and learning and speaks about the importance of access to books and how this led her to create the Fit to Read Project. Connect with Danielle: * Instagram:  * @sphereyyc https://www.instagram.com/sphereyyc/ * @fittoreadproject https://www.instagram.com/fittoreadproject/ * @dckloepfer https://www.instagram.com/dckloepfer/ * Facebook: * @sphereyyc https://www.facebook.com/sphereyyc * Website: https://sphereoptometry.ca/   Connect with Tiana and The Part-Time Jungle Community: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parttimejungle/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parttimejungle/ * Website: https://theparttimejungle.com FINDING GRACE IN BALANCE “Am I doing the best with what I have? Am I doing the best that I can in this moment?” It’s no secret that as moms, we welcome all the tips and tricks when it comes to finding balance between work, kids and everything else! I asked Danielle to share how she juggles it all, and she candidly tells listeners that for her, finding balance is definitely a work in progress. Her perspective is a permission slip for all parents who don’t have a ‘fail proof’ system in place (hint: almost all of us)!  Danielle really tries to be fully present in whatever she is doing. In the motherhood and work juggle, you are wearing a lot of hats. When Danielle is wearing her ‘work hat’ she tries to focus on work. When she is with her kids, she tries to truly compartmentalize and put aside work. She tries to really enjoy her children for what they are bringing. They grow up so fast! When it comes to the idea of balance, she shares that for her and her family,