Our lives are not the movies.

When sudden, unpredictable events like family hardships or natural disasters strike, it can feel like we’re living in one. But more often, the changes in our stories are subtle.

The turmoil is internal, and we’re left to wrestle with our challenges quietly, on our own.

Today’s guest is no stranger to this real-life push and pull. She knows what it’s like to juggle the expectations of motherhood, navigate life transitions, and manage the chaos that comes with it all. Dr. Emma Laird, PT, DPT, OCS is a board-certified physical therapist at Pro Kinetix in Oakland, California, specializing in orthopedic care. She earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from MGH Institute of Health Professions and is a certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Emma brings a holistic approach to helping her clients return to their favorite activities while promoting lifelong movement health. A Bay Area native, Emma is passionate about sports and strength training, values she learned early on from her active upbringing. When she's not working, she enjoys spending time with her fiancé, their dog, exploring local breweries, and staying active outdoors.

Today’s show is a real-world conversation on topics such as:

Maintaining a healthy connection with your partner during a season of change
The myth of our “best self” and how optimal is fluid
Managing internal and external pressures on your career during family changes
Redefining success and recalibrating your goals to align with your new life path
The power of showing up consistently as your authentic, imperfect self

We want to thank Emma for joining us! If you’re in the Oakland, CA area and need help recovering from an injury, visit her and her team at Pro Kinetix. You can also find her in our Art Of Coaching universe facilitating one of our live events and online in our digital community.

The Apprenticeship - Bottom line, this is for anyone who coaches, mentors, or helps others in any capacity. It’s for leaders who aren’t just talking about personal growth but are ready for a different type of challenge. Our live leadership training workshop goes beyond the usual clichés. No cheesy trust falls or empty motivational speeches. We dive into the real skills you wish you’d learned earlier in life: navigating tough conversations, handling difficult people, managing power dynamics, and driving real change.

If you deal with people-problems at all, are in a leadership position, or want to step into one—and if you're ready to turn personal growth from lip service into real commitment, THIS EVENT IS FOR YOU! Check out our entire 2025 live event schedule for the best date and location for you!

Related Episodes:

E313 | How to Communicate With Someone Who Shuts Down and Stonewalls

E339 | Scott and Jamie Livingston: Overcoming Challenges In Relationships

E347 | Dr. Emma Hite: Managing Motherhood, Expectations and Life Transitions

The Art Of Coaching