How a Neurodivergent OT Is Changing the Way We Think About Stress, Sensitivity, and Burnout | Nikki Smit

Why do some people feel constantly overwhelmed, overstimulated, emotionally exhausted, or unable to slow their thoughts down? In this episode of the Starter Girlz Podcast, Jennifer Loehding sits down with neurodivergent occupational therapist Nikki Smit for a powerful conversation about overthinking, stress, emotional overwhelm, nervous system regulation, and what it really feels like to move through life with a mind that never fully slows down. For years, Nikki felt different. She experienced the world intensely, processed emotions deeply, and constantly tried to understand why her brain worked differently than everyone around her. But instead of continuing to fight those experiences, she began learning how to work with them—and eventually turned that understanding into her life’s work. This conversation explores the hidden exhaustion many high-functioning people carry, the emotional weight of constantly analyzing everything, and why sensitivity is often misunderstood in today’s fast-moving world. From nervous system regulation and emotional awareness to overstimulation, recovery, and self-understanding, Nikki shares a grounded and compassionate perspective on what it means to stop viewing yourself as broken—and start understanding how your mind and body actually work. Chapters00:00 Why Calm Is Failing Us00:53 Meet Nikki Smit01:52 Jennifer’s Mission Story04:19 Nikki’s Path to This Work06:51 Neurodivergent Gifts and Burnout11:19 Crash and Burn Recovery12:19 What Nikki Actually Does15:15 Feelings and Regulation Myths19:17 Panic Attacks and Riding the Wave22:59 Relationships Safety and Rejection25:07 Curiosity Over Judgment28:31 Breath Tool Physiological Sigh30:17 Long Exhale Reset31:11 Pause And Breathwork32:53 Authenticity Over Calm34:44 Pause Before Reacting38:04 Repair Builds Attachment41:51 Why Therapists Do This44:53 Entrepreneur Growing Pains48:02 Many Tabs Open53:22 Advice For Multitaskers55:46 Where To Follow Nikki57:02 Final Thanks And Sendoff About Nikki SmitNikki Smit is a neurodivergent occupational therapist, speaker, and educator who helps people better understand stress, overstimulation, emotional overwhelm, and nervous system regulation. Through both lived experience and professional work, Nikki has developed a compassionate and practical approach to helping individuals better understand how their minds and bodies respond to stress, emotion, and overstimulation. Her work focuses on helping people feel less overwhelmed, more self-aware, and better equipped to navigate life without constantly fighting themselves in the process. Connect with Nikki SmitInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkismittherapy/ Connect with Starter Girlzhttps://startergirlz.com Take the 2-Minute Success Block Quiz to discover what may be holding you back. Want to Be a Guest on Starter Girlz Podcasthttps://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17044863446695017c1879d7b