2. From $15/hour at Planet Fitness to Building a Therapy Empire No One Believed In | Ep 226 with Nina Ythier Founder of MindSpeak

Nina Ythier, after 20 years working inside broken systems, turned rejection into redirection—founding MindSpeak Inc., a therapy practice redefining mental health care through real-world, person-first solutions. In this episode, she shares the power of creative healing, why ego-free hustle matters, and how nontraditional care is changing lives.

Key Discussion Points:

• Why “graduating” from toxic workplaces led to building something better

• Starting with just a few clients—and a side job at Planet Fitness

• Building a therapy brand rooted in creativity, not conformity

• How Nina uses yoga, art, and community as tools for healing

• Industry backlash: what happened when she challenged the system

• What Gen Z’s loneliness says about our cultural crisis

• The future of therapy: tech, touch, and psilocybin

• Redefining success in mental health care—one Dunkin’ chat at a time

Takeaways:

• Your style is your brand—especially in human-first work

• Building a mission-driven business starts with betting on yourself

• Therapy doesn’t belong in beige boxes—meet people where they are

• True change comes from trust, presence, and showing up without ego

Closing Thoughts:
Nina Ythier is proving that therapy doesn't have to follow the rules to work. By stepping outside the office and into real life, she's helping clients heal through connection, creativity, and courage—reminding us that the most powerful breakthroughs often happen far beyond the couch.