Passion and Private Practice with Jana Parker, CEO of Mind by Design and Empower LEP

Mindful Miri Podcast

In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Jana Parker—school psychologist turned private practice owner—opens up about her winding journey from public education to entrepreneurship, and the personal growth, burnout, and breakthroughs along the way.

Jana shares how her love of psychology began early, even if she didn’t fully understand where it would lead. From a brief stop in a PsyD program to discovering the school psychology field, she carved her path through education with curiosity and drive. After years of meaningful work in schools, she made the leap into private practice, founding Mind by Design in Campbell-, CA, near San Jose. Now leading a thriving team of 13 clinicians, Jana also coaches others who want to make a similar transition out of public systems and into purpose-driven work.

We talk about:

• 🧠 Why she left a “dream district” to pursue something more aligned
• 💡 The burnout cycle in special education and how she broke free
• 🏋️‍♀️ Her lifelong dedication to movement, from dance to CrossFit
• 📱 Navigating guilt, digital parenting, and 20-somethings' attention shifts
• 🌱 Her self-care rituals, including 5AM workouts, whole foods, and boundaries
• 💬 The pressure on educators to do it all—and how she found another way
• ✨ Advice to her younger self and the beauty of evolving purpose

Jana offers a refreshing, grounded perspective on being a professional woman who balances care for others with true care for self. Her story is both inspiring and validating for anyone seeking to transition, grow, or just find permission to pause.

🔗 Learn More About Jana Parker:

• 🧠 Website: mindbydesign.com | empowerlep.com
• 📧 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
• 📍 Practice based in Campbell, CA (serving families across the Bay Area)

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Until next time, I’m Miriam Burlakovsky Correia for the Mindful Miri Podcast. Stay light, healthy, confident, and free.

I appreciate you<3
Miri xo
P.S. Thank you for your support and for giving me grace for any typos, errors, and foot-in-mouth moments.
Want to be a guest? Email [email protected]

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>>Note<<
This podcast is not intended to replace profess...