Amity Stevens: Powered by Purpose, Fueled by Movement

Amity Stevens is a whirling ball of energy—and her first company’s name, OT On the Go, couldn’t be more fitting. When she’s not physically in motion, her mind is sprinting ahead with new ways to support the young people who are at the heart of her life’s work. A trailblazer in mobile occupational therapy, Amity transformed a school bus into a fully equipped traveling therapy gym. Yes, a literal school bus.

Early in her career working in public schools, Amity often found herself squeezing therapy sessions into closets and hallways—wherever space could be found. It was clear there had to be a better way. One night at 2 a.m., inspiration struck. Within a week, she had purchased a bus. Within two months, she was behind the wheel.

“It was a big leap. I mean, who does that? Who's like, ‘Let's buy a bus and do therapy in it’? I just took a risk. It was a really big jump, and in two months I was driving it.”

And drive it she did—up to 12 locations a week, growing her client base steadily. Within two years, she’d surpassed the five-year client goal she had set for herself. Now, she visits just two locations, allowing her to focus more time on therapy and less time commuting. The biggest challenge today? Not finding clients, but finding time for all the things she wants to do with this incredible population.

More Than Therapy—A Wild Adventure

Her passion doesn’t stop at the therapy bus. In 2023, Amity launched a nonprofit with the help of some dedicated parents. OTG Invasions funds wilderness trips for students that go beyond traditional therapy. Taking groups of ten into the mountains or out to sea, she creates opportunities for young people to disconnect from tech and engage in life skills development in immersive, natural settings.

One highlight of these adventures? Shark fishing. Yes, really.

Each year, Amity takes students to St. George Island to fish for sharks. And if you catch one? You have to kiss it! The shark ritual, fitting for someone named after Amity Island in the movie Jaws, is just one of many memorable experiences she creates for her students, some of whom have never spent a night away from home before these trips.

Balance, Burnout, and Big Ideas

Amity knows that a high-energy lifestyle comes at a cost. As a neurodiverse adult working with neurodiverse children, she’s learned to slow down when needed.

“It’s very hard as an adult with ADHD who works with kids with ADHD. I’m moving all the time—it’s one of the hardest things ever to just say, ‘I have to take a break.’”

She credits her support system—a community of therapists, speech pathologists, counselors, and psychologists—for helping her stay grounded and energized. Even so, the work is both exhausting and exhilarating.

Recently, she launched gross and fine motor sensory labs at The Cottage School to train students' brains and bodies through coordination, movement, and balance. No two days are alike, and Amity wouldn’t have it any other way.

Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs

Amity didn’t seek advice before diving headfirst into entrepreneurship. But for those just starting out, she offers a few important questions to ask:

• Are you really sure?

• Do you think you’re going to love it every day?

• Can you afford to put your heart, soul, and finances into this—for a long time?

“You have to love it so much, because it can be scary. It is hard and it can break you down. Some days, you don’t want to do it—but you do it anyway. And those can end up being the best days.”

Amity Stevens does love it—all of it—with everything she has and then a little bit extra.

If only she didn’t have to sleep.