a community of practitioners

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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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on July 14, 2010 at 11:40pm

Yeah Illinois has some drastic weather. Well at least you are still working with your hands!!! Thanks for sharing!

Stacy Barden said:

Thanks for asking. I was a Horticulturalist - Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for a park district. I worked caring for plants for 20 years before changing careers. I love and enjoy being a massage therapist. Occasionally I miss the days of being outside but not on the "hot" over 80 degrees or the "bitter cold and windy" below 0 degrees days.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on July 14, 2010 at 11:45pm

I'm glad the Festival gives me the freedom to travel. I head back out in the morning for another road trip. I really liked the Jackson Hole, Wy. area and Alaska was great too. It just feels great to be behind the wheel! Doesn't really matter where to, let's go! I'm a lot like Charles Kuralt, always wondering what is over that next hill.

Jean Ann Scholefield said:

Hi Mike, You brought some laughter into my life by reading your inquiry. my previous (and temporarily current) occupation was/is Professional Truckdriver (big rig-18 wheeler). so, i laughed when i saw your addiction to travel as i know it well myself. it's good to know that there may be other options available to me when i get the itch again to travel-once i've stopped that is! I'm planning on Finally after 7 years to open my own spa. the distance i've had to cover in order to reach this place in time is quite literally and actually around 750,000+ miles! It'll be fun later to find out some of your favorite travel places in the us! Oh, and before truckdriving, i was a financial manager, media estimator, secretary, photographer, and many other things. However, my calling has always been to be a teacher and healer.

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Permalink Reply by Melanie Amyot on July 16, 2010 at 8:19am

I've been a tv technician, an emergency dispatcher (not for long) and a secretary. Been massaging just for fun since primary school and made the leap from fun to job 4 years ago. Never had a single regret!

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Permalink Reply by Kathy "KJ" Burley on July 16, 2010 at 7:18pm

For many years, I said I couldn't decide what I wanted to be when I grew up - - - - - so I wasn't going to grow up until I decided what I wanted to be! Now, I say it took me nearly half a century to decide what I wanted to be. But I still refuse to grow up! LOL!

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Permalink Reply by Kathy "KJ" Burley on July 16, 2010 at 7:28pm

In my previous life, I worked as a basket-check clerk at the municipal swimming pool (while in jr high/high school), did the fast food thing awhile, then left that to go on tour as an actress wiith a repertory theatre company. After becoming a Mom (the most important job next to Grandma), I worked as a medical secretary and transcriptionist and taught Communication Skills workshops to elementary school children. I even spent a stint as a legal proofreader. I have been an office manager for a law firm and the Executive Director for a non-profit organization. Oh, and I also worked the box office for our community theatre in my spare time for 15 seasons.
But after a year in which I was burned out of the house I'd lived in for 22 years; both my kids got married (within 2 1/2 months of each other!), and I found myself in a job that was absolutely sucking the life out of me, I decided it was time to see if folks had been telling me the truth when they said I missed my calling. Guess what? They were! Wish I had done it 30 years earlier!
Thanks for asking, Mike. Wishing you WELL!

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Permalink Reply by rebecca harris on July 18, 2010 at 5:11am

I was an Investment Banker for a Global Bank. Due to the high levels of stress over the years on your body/mind and going for massages every two weeks to unwind. I love to me massaged, So i decided after much convincing myself to study a massage course for the personal satisfaction and understanding of the human body in more depth. I got to love the whole learning and practising my learning and making other people happy. So this year i quit the banking and started up my own massage clinic/boutique called Heavenly Massage for Women. And Im so relaxed now and happier them in many years. Rebecca.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on July 24, 2010 at 8:04am

Well Kathy... like many of us you have had many types of jobs and almost all were service oriented. You've earned your stripes!! If you need any help, there's over 6,100 of us here. You ain't alone!!!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on July 24, 2010 at 8:07am

Rebecca, I can't understand why any bankers would be stressed... lol. There really is so much too learn. But as long as we do, we keep growing. Glad you are with us!