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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 Joseph Williams on
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I admire your journey as a massge therapist. I have a client who is a doctor who is an ex-Baylor prof who also taught anatomy to chiropratic students. He tells me every massage he'd like to see me as a chiropractor. It is a frequent thought but I'm so into personal training...your story just caught my attention.
Timothy Driscoll, DC said:I have to say, my life before massage was people oriented but from the bar perspective. I was a bartender and continued for 22 years. In that time I also finished my bodywork/natural health approach schooling in Portland Oregon. I am a licensed Chiropractor and I still practice massage and of course work with massage therapists on a regular basis.
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I also did some personal training. I LOVED IT. So I am now prepairing to get an associates in kinesiology so I can get back in the gym before I start on my bachelors...
Toi Beaman Leal said:My career progression is waitress, exercise instructor, bank teller, account manager, customer service rep, trainer, personal trainer, finally ending up as a Human Resources Manager in the corporate-world for the last 20 years. Loved my job, but it was time to move on and fulfill this dream. Here I am world!
Namaste,
Toi
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Permalink Reply by William J. Clapper on
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Like Robert and Mike I am a journalist, communications guy looking for a more fulfilling career. I'm striving to blend my communications skills with massage. I've in the midst of dual job searches -- one in editorial and the other in management of a fitness center or massage center.
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Permalink Reply by Jaenelle Hilligas on
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I was a stay at home mother of 2 with half of an art degree. I discovered a love for healing and now I intend to continue my education in the field of natural medicines.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Vogel on
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I was a medical writer and communications professional. I wrote about clinical studies, public health, health care policy, and so forth for nonprofits, government agencies, and universities. Today I still continue to do the same work but as a consultant, so I am part massage therapist part medical writer. :)
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I decided to do massage for a living when I was 12 and living with my parents in Sasebo, Japan. Massage is so thoroughly integrated there, it seemed like a no brainer to get involved.
This was 1960 and my parents were not so gung-ho. So I became a speech therapist because it had the same word in it as physical therapy (which my folks thought I'd not be strong enough for) and physical therapy was practically massage!
Twenty years after I was bitten by the bug, I got my massage license in 1980 and have been blessed ever since!
I love problem solving and educating clients by working with them toward a goal.
Valerie
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I so relate to your story! I decided at 12 and it took me 20 years, a career and numerous other jobs to make it to nirvana! I've been doing massage for 20 years now and NO REGRETS!!
Valerie
Tige' Miller said:Massage therapy has always been my calling. Before the age of 10, I knew that I wanted to become a massage therapist but didn't finally pursue my dream until 2008 & finishing school in June of this year. I have a bachelor's degree in Agriculture Business but didn't go into the field. Even during school, I would sometimes massage a couple of my classmates shoulder's & even then, they told me I was in the wrong field. After school, I stayed in banking & then that progressed onto many other fields such as: purchasing (absolutely loved this job), accounts payable/receivable, customer service, student loans, administrative work & finally insurance. I really enjoy the insurance industry & it is not rocket science to figure out either...Currently, I am doing massage therapy fulltime & love it. Timing is everything. Even though I wish I had ventured into massage years ago, God told me when it was time to go & am so very glad I did. I truely enjoy helping people......Me & massage therapy are one. I am looking forward to the journey ahead with massage & am very excited.
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Permalink Reply by Denah on
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I have always worked in the social services field as either a case manager, facilitator, counselor, etc. and I have felt from young that working with people in the capacity of helping them has been my calling and enjoyed it.
I've always been the type of person who was into all kinds of natural things. I started out with natural hair and skin products, herbal supplements and wellness ideas. I have always worked with special populations in the social work field and felt that I needed to reach my clients on a different level, I also felt that performing massage as well as other energizing techniques would be another way to assist my clients to reach their desired level of wellness. Finally after moving to another state and not really having the luck of getting another job I decided to go to school and follow my dream! I have never felt so free in my life! One of the best decisions that I have made in my adult life and no regrets about it!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Stephen Jeffrey on
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Hi Mike
I went into engineering when I left school for 12 yrs, then whilst the kids were young I had to suppliment my earnings as a motorcycle courier and got sucked into that for 12 yrs, then I had a major accident (am ok now ) so in getting fit again (always a good long distance runner) I had some sports massage and had one of those "this is what I was born to do" moments and took a course in 1997 and from 2000 have been full time massage therapist.
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I ran my own air freight expediting company in Western NY. I also have been a mobile material transportation specialist and coordinator...a truck driver. I have been a marketer, a logistics consultant, and the general manager of a portable mini storage facility. In massage, however, I have found my place. The thought of doing something else really does not enter my mind.
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Permalink Reply by Serena Bennouri on
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Got "accidentally" laid off from a copyediting job in the software industry. Weirdly, I got my job back two weeks later when they figured out the error, so the job ended up supporting me through massage school and I left on my own when I was done!
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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on
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Well many successful therapists say massage is a dance, so you are already ahead of the game.
Nancy Turner said:I was a dance instructor!
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