When Sleep Training Fails: How HeySleepyBaby Creator Went From Burnt Out Teacher to Retiring Her Husband with Rachael Shepard-Ohta [episode 5]

Listen to When Sleep Training Fails: How HeySleepyBaby Creator Went From Burnt Out Teacher to Retiring Her Husband with Rachael Shepard-Ohta on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Your preferred listening platform 

I’m very excited to have the opportunity to talk with Rachael Shephard-Ohta on today’s episode!

Rachael comes from a teaching background (a K-5 teacher and Education Specialist), and she’s always had a passion for working with children and families. While she adored her career as a teacher, she was most definitely on the edge of burnout. This feeling was only exacerbated after having her first baby in 2017 - not only was she obsessed with his (lack of) sleep, but she was struggling with her own sleep deprivation and anxiety, and it all became too much to handle. After taking matters into her own hands and going against the grain with the typical sleep advice that was out there, not only did she find sleep again, but she found peace in the process, too.

In this episode, Rachael and I talk about what happens when sleep training fails, and more specifically, how this so-called “failure” was the beginning of her fascinating journey into entrepreneurship. Rachael made the life-changing decision to pivot her entire career to being a sleep consultant and educator; not only does she help other moms and families thrive, but she gets to be fully present with her OWN family. We dive into what it’s like to make big, bold decisions when it comes to leaving a ‘safe’ career and choosing entrepreneurship instead, pursuing greater ambitions while still adding to your family, navigating the negatives that come from having a large online presence (like the downright hateful opinions of others at times), the inevitable ebbs and flows marriages go through with major life changes, and more. 

Rachael’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring; while she’s been very intentional with the decisions involving her family and business, she also expresses how privileged she’s felt to have such an incredible support system every step of the way. She wants other moms to know there is nothing wrong with finding the motherhood journey to be magical and breathtaking, but also, really hard and messy too. I’m just truly appreciative of everything Rachael shares on all of her platforms, and I KNOW you will walk away with loads of value from this conversation!

Rachael Shepard-Ohta is a Sleep and Feeding Educator and Mom of 3. She lives in San Francisco, CA with her family and is passionate about changing the status-quo baby sleep world. Rachael shares information with families that gives them permission to parent in the way that feels best to them, and creates a sense of community on her Instagram platform, Hey Sleepy Baby.

In this episode, When Sleep Training Fails: How HeySleepyBaby Creator Went From Burnt Out Teacher to Retiring Her Husband with Rachael Shepard-Ohta, we cover: 

• Rachael’s story of living as an exhausted, anxious teacher and first-time mom + her traumatic sleep training experience with her first baby

• Rachael’s initial idea to start her business as a sleep consultant + her key mindset shift and knowledge that dramatically helped with her second baby’s sleep

• Consistently showing up and taking action as a new business owner + forming valuable online relationships

• Making the bold decision to leave your ‘safe’ career and dive headfirst into something unpredictable like entrepreneurship

• Pursuing greater ambitions within your business/career while still feeling the desire to add to your family

• Rachael’s personal & professional growth that has resulted from her business success, and how this growth has impacted how she shows up in motherhood

• Navigating the drawbacks that come with having a very large online presence

• The inevitable ups and downs that marriages go through after having kids, making career changes, etc. + the process of Rachael’s husband becoming a stay-at-home dad

• Rachael’s vision for her podcast, No One Told Us + what’s ahead for Hey, Sleepy Baby 

• Finding a balance in sharing the beautiful, magical parts of motherhood, along with the really hard and messy parts too

• Choosing to pursue dreams that you’re truly passionate about + being willing to ask for support so you actually can

Connect with Rachael:

• Follow on Instagram @heysleepybaby

• Check out her website

• Listen to No One Told Us: The Podcast

Connect with Sarah:

• Follow on Instagram @mothercrafting

• Sign up for my newsletter

• Check out my website

More about the Mothercraft podcast: 

Mothercraft - because becoming a mom today can feel crazy! It’s both uniquely challenging and exciting. The templates about how we should ‘mom’ are outdated and we have the opportunity to reconstruct them in a way that works for us. There are women, parents, and resources available who can support us. 

Let's write a new story, where we experience how to be connected, informed and empowered about our paths forward as moms, professionals, and women without overwhelm, judgment, or a one-size fits all mentality. 

Tune in each week for conversations with host Sarah Dunn, along with other moms and special guest experts, as they share their stories, encouragement, advice, and solidarity about this lifelong journey of motherhood.

We’ll cover topics such as pregnancy, postpartum, mental health, motherhood, being a high-achieving woman, mom guilt. We will touch on the good, the bad, the funny, the ugly – the multifaceted reality that is motherhood. 

This podcast will leave you feeling empowered, connected, and confident to hold space for your love of self, family, and ambitions. 

Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode!