We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Jennifer Blossom recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dr. Jennifer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

There was a season in my life when I realized I had been wearing multiple masks… for DECADES—showing the world only what I thought was acceptable while tucking away the truest parts of myself. On the surface, I was achieving success, but inside, I felt disconnected and small, numb, and irrelevant. That awareness cracked something open in me. Slowly, I began unmasking—letting go of the perfection I thought was necessary and embracing the vulnerability of showing up fully as myself. This process reshaped everything: how I lead, how I love, how I live.

I’ve learned that true leadership comes from authenticity, not performance, and that unmasking isn’t just freeing—it’s transformational.

Dr. Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My work lives at the crossroads of Blossom Leadership and a pediatric therapy practice I co-founded—two paths that fuel each other and shape everything I do. Through Blossom Leadership, I work with high-achieving leaders to strip away the masks they’ve built up over the years and reconnect with the truth of who they are. It’s not just about leading—it’s about leading from a place of raw, unfiltered presence, where every decision, every action, is an expression of their deepest values.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I support children in breaking through sensory, emotional, cognitive, and physical challenges, helping them connect with their full potential. My work is about nurturing their growth in every area of development, so they can navigate life with confidence, independence, and a deeper sense of who they are.

For both leaders and kids, it’s not just about overcoming challenges—it’s about living from a place of power. And that’s what I’m most passionate about—helping people break free from what holds them back and step into their full potential, unapologetically and confidently.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The idea that success and achievement were enough to fill the void of truly living. For years, I lived a numbed-out, masked life, chasing external milestones while ignoring the internal disconnect that simmered underneath. On the surface, everything looked great—building a practice, speaking at conferences, checking all the boxes. But inside, I was constantly holding myself back, presenting a version of myself I thought was more acceptable, more “successful,” but not the real me.

That moment of realizing I wasn’t truly living hit me hard. It was as if I’d spent so much time focusing on “doing” that I’d forgotten the importance of “being.” I had to unlearn the idea that I had to perform for approval, and instead, embrace the truth of fully knowing and being me—without all the layers of perfection or expectation.

The shift didn’t happen overnight. It took unmasking myself, letting go of the belief that I had to be someone else to succeed. Once I started living from a place of truth, everything changed—from how I led my businesses to how I connected with people. The lesson was clear: true fulfillment doesn’t come from performing, it comes from showing up as the real, loving version of yourself. And you have to love yourself FIRST before you can give that love to others. When I understood this concept, everything in my life started to transform.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Parenting has been one of my greatest teachers. It’s rarely neat or predictable—it calls for flexibility, deep listening, and the courage to navigate discomfort and uncertainty. These lessons have profoundly shaped not only how I show up as a parent but also how I approach my work.

Much like parenting, the heart of meaningful work lies in connection. It’s about showing up with empathy, meeting people where they are, and being present, even when things don’t go as planned. These moments of authenticity and adaptability are what move the needle.

Parenting has shaped me in ways no training ever could, teaching me how to balance being flexible and real while holding space for growth and transformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drjenniferblossom.com
• Instagram: @drjenniferblossom
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jennifer-blossom-025424105
• Other: Podcast: The Blossom Leadership Podcast

Image Credits

Britt Jezak
Jacqueline MacMillan