Liz Follis: From Wilderness to Wisdom
The theme of transformation resonates deeply with me as I reflect on the inspiring individuals who have undergone significant life transformations. The idea of constantly reinventing oneself is a testament to the resilience and capacity for growth within each of us.
Liz and I met almost 24 years ago in Seattle when she was the Callison librarian. We became instant friends from the first time we met. We had the opportunity to work together at Knoll for several years and have always found our way to many adventures globally. Liz has a natural talent for helping others and shows great compassion for those she serves. She also has a deep desire to teach others her skills.
What is your career today, as well as before making a shift?
I have been a licensed occupational therapist (OT) for over eight years; however, I no longer work directly with patients in a “hands-on” capacity. I work in neurorehabilitation as a rehab educator on the brain injury team at Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital at the University of Utah. I create and provide medically relevant and applicable education for patients, families/caregivers, and hospital staff. Before becoming an OT, I worked in the commercial design and architectural industry for almost 15 years. I worked on both the client and sales side of the A&D industry, primarily as a resource librarian, briefly as a consultative seller, and even for a spell managing a workplace design lab for Microsoft.
How did you feel about your life before recognizing the need for a shift?
I was very restless around the time my shift began to happen. I enjoyed the A&D industry but never felt it was my true calling. I felt I was still searching for a career that fed my soul. Luckily, the subprime real estate crisis gave me a swift kick in the keister at the end of 2008. I was laid off, along with seemingly the rest of Seattle! It was terrifying but also exciting. I could finally fulfill my dream of being a ski bum! I moved to the mountains and had the time of my life; however, the restlessness (and anxiety) about what was next was still there.
How did you find your true purpose?
While living and working in the mountains, I began volunteering for a non-profit focused on adaptive outdoor recreation (big shout out to Outdoors for All in Washington state!) During this time, I met a fellow volunteer who was an OT, and as I learned more about her profession, I was intrigued. I was also raised by a father who had a spinal cord injury, so pursuing a career focused on working with people living with a disability made sense to me. Additionally, a great deal of advocacy is involved in the occupational therapy profession, which has always spoken to me on a deep level.
What was your BIG aha moment?
I have had several aha moments in the past 15 years since I embarked on a career change; however, the biggest was fully realizing my love of academics. I was never an astute student, and to become an OT, I had to pursue a considerable amount of schooling. In over a decade, I’ve completed science-based prerequisites, my master's degree, and, most recently, my post-professional clinical doctorate. This was not a plan I ever saw reaching completion! It sounds simple, but the biggest aha moment was realizing I could do anything I put my mind to. Once I returned to school, many possibilities started opening up for me. I love learning and using what I have learned to help and empower others.
What are you most excited about next?
I’m excited to keep working as a rehab educator at Neilsen Rehab! I’m excited each day to go to work (most days! lol). I learn something new every day, and I work with incredible people. This next year, I look forward to more interdisciplinary collaboration, research, supporting my team, and growing our brain injury program within the hospital and the greater community. I am also planning a trip to ski above the Arctic Circle and am pretty stoked about that, too!
We look forward to sharing stories of others making waves of transformation!
Live A Great Story- Monique Lecomte
