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What Did You Do Before Massage?
I know, I'm nosey. I was a travel writer.
For six years, I got to travel to Bed & Breakfasts and get massages, all for free, and write about it. So my roots are in traveling, meeting people and hearing their stories. Now I travel around and do The World Massage Festival & Massage Therapy Hall of Fame.
I found the adjustment to a single location massage establishment, inside a strip mall, very confining. So I started a way to stay "in the massage world and travel!" But that is another story!
What's your story? What did you do before massage? Tell us of your travels and what massage is like where you are, especially if you massage outside the U.S. We really like pictures, if possible.
If you get bored come see me at my page http://www.massageprofessionals.com/profile/MikeHinkle
Thanks and welcome to Massage Professionals!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Angel Reddick on
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I worked in Human Resources and Marketing for 12 years before I finally decided to start enjoying my life. I wanted to go where the happy people were, and I, myself, was always happy when I got massages. Starbucks was my Plan B. Have you ever seen an unhappy Starbucks' employee? I haven't.
I've only been a therapist since 2007, so I've still got a lot to learn. But that's the exciting part - having so much more to learn. I also teach massage at the school I graduated from. I never thought I'd be the one teaching anything to anyone, but I manage.
My true passion, ever since I learned to put words together on paper, is writing. When I was a kid, people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up. I'd tell them with absolute certainty, "I'm going to travel around the world and write about what I see." (But then again, I also thought living in my car sounded like a solid plan.) I've also always had a camera in my hand, ever since I was 6-years old. I guess I thought I'd be taking pictures of everything I saw along the way, from my car window. Then life happened, and writing became a distant dream I once had "when I was young".
I have always lived in Indianapolis, IN. And though I say every year, "This will be my last winter here," I will probably never leave. Massage therapy seems to be a few years behind where I live. We JUST got certification in 2009. And after learning Thai Massage, I was so excited to offer it to my clients. Two years later, and my clients continue to schedule "the normal massage." We'll get there...in 20 years. Of course, my arms will probably be completely useless by then.
I hope to learn a lot from this website. I hope to find inspiration. And maybe I'll meet a few new friends who can help guide me on my journey to massage...and maybe even writing.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Hieronymus on
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I was in retail management and I had no intention of leaving until I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, I also had a bulging disc and a herniated disc. I found my physical therapy very interesting, and thought about pursuing that as a career until I found out I'd be in school for about 8 years. So massage therapy was the next logical choice! I work for a chiropractor and I enjoy seeing people on a regular basis, seeing the progress they make and encouraging them through the process.
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Permalink Reply by Allen Rubin on
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I was a Diagnostic Imaging technologist (X-ray/MRI). I worked in a variety of settings including teaching hospitals, operating/emergency rooms, private orthopedic/sports medicine practice and psych. hospital....right next door to the ECT room!! : o I also worked for a moble x-ray company for many years that serviced nursing homes and correctional facilities. I'd thought about going to PT school, but massage seemed a more appealing option for a variety of reasons. So glad I made the choice I did.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Lopes on
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Kevin,
Oh, OK, well I wish you both the best of luck!.......Dan
Kevin M Wattier said:Hey Dan, we do plan on working together when possible. We had a card made up where we do couples massage. We each have our independent business name for now.
Daniel Lopes said:Kevin,
You didn't mention what your sister is doing. Why not go into practice with her, Just a thought! ...........Dan
Kevin M Wattier said:I currently work 45 hours a week traveling the coast, MS, AL, FL, and sometimes LA doing floor cleaning equipment repair. Mechanic you might say. I can say this was an answer to a prayer, getting into massage therapy. I went to the local school, Blue Cliff Career College, Mobile, AL for two years getting student massages. I took up running and as a reward I would get a massage as long as I kept running.
My day job is not that fulfilling and I wanted to do something more meaningful. Massage felt so good to me that I decided I wanted to do this for other people. Actually I think I get as much out of it as the client does. It relaxes me too, I'm kind of hyper inside. Nervous energy you might say. I came across a quote recently by Novalis, (Frederick von Hardenberg), that goes: "We touch heaven when we lay our hands on a human body." That really spoke to me.
When I got the message that this is what I'm supposed to do next, I went directly to school and signed up for class. Then I called my younger sister, who mentioned to me before that she wanted to be a MT, and told her she had to sign up and go through the course with me. We both graduated Sept. last year and are now LMT's. We are the only two of 12 students in class to be licensed so far. We started with 6 females and 6 males and ended up that I was the only male to finish the course. Don't ask how I made it through, I don't know. A lot of estrogen to compete with.
My goal is to find enough clients to be able to leave my current job. I've been praying and waiting for some direction from above and some doors to open. I have a Neurologist who says he will refer patients to me but none as yet. I'm most confident with Swedish although with 750 hours of training, we also got all the other modalities. I think I would like to do Swedish, Medical, maybe Pregnancy, and work with infant massage somewhere. I'm anxious to see where massage takes me.
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I was a dance instructor!
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Permalink Reply by Regina Zerkle on
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I was a freelance graphic artist for many years. Anything I could do at home, I did. With my husband in construction, it can be very inconsistent work. Plus, I was looking for something I could do to bring in an income. The opportunity presented itself when an accredited massage school was on its 2nd year in my town. So, I signed up for part-time weekend classes for 10 months. Graduated in January 2009. I have a room that I rent inside a chiropractors office and its worked out these last 6 months. One of the best decisions I've made. :)
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Permalink Reply by Jane Johnson on
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Hello Everyone
Prior to becoming a therapist I had two jobs. Some of the week I worked for a reference publisher. I was the ideas person, coming up with ideas for new titles and new uses for existing ones. I helped write some of the anatomy and physiology ones and really enjoyed that. Rest of the week I was a personal trainer.
But I found being a trainer tiring, not so much physically but because all of my clients wanted to look a certain way, which I guess is understandable. I like the fact that we are all different, that bodies are different. People were always judging themselves on how they looked - or should look. I didn't feel comfortable with that.
Of course, massage training was just wonderful and I loved the anatomy and physiology and being connected to people in a different kind of way.
Now I've gone full circle and do quite a bit of publishing, writing books and articles relating to massage. Bliss.
Jane :)
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Permalink Reply by Todd Bowker on
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I sold timeshare.... not very glamorous. Prior to that managed a private restaurant.
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I am still a licensed dental hygienist while I am in school. I plan to practice dentistry at least two more years while I build up my new business to be.
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I grew up in a small town, some where in wisconsin .. Had one year of college after high school , wasn't ready for , so I Worked in a paper mill for alot of years
decided to find a career where I could make a difference in the lives of loved ones , ended up here in the the world of bodywork / massage
Loving every second of it
There is much more to the story , sharing a very general overview , until I find friends here
Looking to attend seminars this spring , this world of massage , a most rewarding & exciting time
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Permalink Reply by Christianna Aronstam on
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I was working in sports medicine as a PT and ATC... I was always a competitive athlete, so I just followed that as a natural progression into sports med... I liked working in those fields, but the work was a bit monotonous and it never really seemed to help people for their long-term well-being... And that led me to massage therapy... I wanted to work in a field where people were always happy to see you, and that you can see the progressive results and actually help people. =)
I just moved back to California, and I'm working on building up my business here.
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Permalink Reply by Laurie Weber on
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I was 'jack of many trades, master of none'
Started off as a pizza shop worker, then a few years as a nursing assistant. I then became a preschool teachers assistant and my last job was a school bus driver that ended in 2000 with an cervical spin injury.I've always felt called to be a healer and soon became a Reiki master/teacher. This year I felt rehabilitated enough to seek the first 'love' of my life as a massotherapist and have started school, pursuing an Associates Degree in the field.
It's been 30 yrs since I used my left brain and although my kids tell me I'm too old to go to school. I KNOW this is my calling and I will do great things with it.
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