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Excited Scared Anxious Worried Happy Newbie Here

I just wanted to say hello as a new person to this site. Im 42 as of June 16th and getting ready to start school to be a massage therapist. Never ever saw myself going in this direction which scares me. Ive always been self employed and always struggled. Wasnt till someone dear to me decided to become a massage therapist that i saw such an awesome opportunity to help others. Its funny how God uses people in your life. When they decided to go to school for MT i wasnt for it, didnt like it, and didnt support her. Yet i watched her determination, excitement, and she has inspired me. As scary as it to start school in a few weeks for this its exciting. Part of me knows i can do this because im dont know the meaning of the words give up, and the other part of me is terrified because its something so new and drastic from other businesses i have had in life. I was very worried to start with because i read 85% of MT are women, i know in the class im taking for MT i will be the only male in there which is scary again lol. I found this site this morning and have read stuff on here all day and it has all been a blessing to ready and learn. God has blessed me with this opportunity and i will expect no less from me in this profession than he expects of me. I guess with that said i have a few questions... When the new MT have just got out of school did any of them open there own place immediately or work for someone else? I guess im just trying get glimpses of this awesome wonderful new world im about to become a part of.... Look forward to hearing from many of u i hope...... If any of you have questions for me please ask...... God Bless, David

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Permalink Reply by Lucianna Johnston on June 28, 2011 at 2:00pm

Hi David, congratulations on taking a leap of faith! Just learn as much as you can, be open and trust the plan. It sounds like you have a strong connection in your spirituality and that will take you far. When I first started I worked a full time job and slowly started building clientele in the evenings and weekends. I had no children at that time and I was single so you may have to find your perfect balance if you have a family. When my clientele was strong enough I quit my full time job. I have been making a living solely from being a massage therapist since 1999. I love it more today than ever before and I am so thankful I stuck to it, perservered and made it happen. Good luck!!

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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on June 28, 2011 at 2:36pm

David, welcome aboard! Regarding your age, I am 63, just beginning my second year of a two year degree program in MTB.

To this point, I have been the top student academically in every class--so you really can teach an old dog new tricks.

But do study. Speaking as someone who returned to the classroom rather late in life, I advise you to study every waking minute for the first few weeks, as this will help you to reestablish brain pathways you began to lose the minute you graduated decades ago from your last school. The brain is more like a muscle than it is an endocrine organ: it does strengthen when exercised regularly. Take advantage of the resources provided online by ABMP and other sources. Youtube can be a great resource. Forums such as this are a great resource. MTs are a great bunch of people--every one I've met gives willingly of his hard-earned knowledge.