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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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Permalink Reply by Brenda Armstrong on August 7, 2009 at 8:51pm
I worked 9 years in administration in the private sector with companies like Shell Oil and then with the Canadian federal government.
Permalink Reply by Laura F smith on August 8, 2009 at 2:31am
Around 1992 I looked into massage therapy in NC. It was going to take 2years and about $14,000, which was not obtainable for me. Instead I went to college for nursing, was accepted into the Rn. program. Just to find out it just was not what I wanted to do. Then went and obtained my CDL'S and drove a 18 wheeler over the road and became a owner/operator from 1996 - 2003. That is when I had a wreak that totaled out my truck. Nothing broke but the left side of my body muscles were traumatized, was down for about 3 months. Got a job operating a forklift in a factory for about a year. My body just would not let me work any longer due to the fibromyalgia, fatigue, and pain. Took a lay-off recuperated for about 9 months, and then started massage school. Was one of the biggest blessings ever given to me.
Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on August 8, 2009 at 4:51am
My dad worked for Arthur Murray for 16 years. I unfortunately did not inherit any of that ability!

I. Paul Dunsdon said:
My first carer was as a dancer and I taught for Arthur Murray's for around five years, Then for about 10 years I was a Chef in SLC and Denver. Mostly making sushi but a few places I worked on the line and for catering companies. I even tried working in the oil fields for a while but I did not have the disposition for the it. And I have all my teeth. lol. Now I am doing my part to try and make the world a better place through massage therapy and fitness training.
Permalink Reply by Barbara Burgess on August 8, 2009 at 11:36am
I have been a massage therapist for 5 years. I started out 15 years ago as an esthetician and nail tech. I had always been told that I had a gift and should be a massage therapist. After finding excuses as to why I could not do that, mostly money concerns, I decided one day that I was just going to do it. I started school 3 weeks later! I still practice esthetics as well as massage. I enjoy doing both to keep things interesting and to be able to work longer by mixing it up. One of the best decisions of my life!
Permalink Reply by Kristi Nelson Waltrip on August 8, 2009 at 8:51pm
I was a cocktail waitress in a casino for seven years when I decided to become a massage therapist...I loved being a waitress! The money was great and I loved catering to people.

But...being a massage therapist is definitely my calling, a decision I'll never regret!
Permalink Reply by Carl W. Brown on August 8, 2009 at 9:56pm
I worked with computers for 40 years starting out but designing test equipment to help IBM set up a production line for their first computer that did not use vacuum tubes. I worked in repair and service, operating systems, telecommunications strategic planning and management. I ended up that last 15 years doing internationalization work. Adapting computer programs to different languages and cultures. I did not do translations but I help people understand how different cultures think and what would make them feel more comfortable with the program and documentation. I also worked with software engineers on how to adapt the programs to support different writing systems, scripts and locale differences.
My first massage was in Brazil in 1964 to save a woman’s life but I did not find out that this is what I should be doing until 8 years ago. I stumbled into taking a Berrywork course on the knee and my teacher told me that I was wasting my talent if I did not get certified. I have never looked back.
Permalink Reply by Michele Ruppert on August 9, 2009 at 11:18am
I was in the Navy for 22 years in the Information Professional community. After I retired, I went to school for massage-bodywork therapies to expand my holistic health and wellness perspective. It worked! I love sharing information and helping people feel better through all their senses - body, mind, and spirit - it's all connected!
Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on August 9, 2009 at 12:27pm
Amen. How was "Heartwood". I was going to make it Institution of the Year in 08. But I heard it closed?

Kim Chamberlain,NCTMB (idowatsu) said:
Can relate to the traveling, I was a carney for 12 years, then my disease got the better of me, took a few years off to battle that. In rehab I knew someone going to Heartwood, I spent a year there going to massage school, it was time to grow up and get an almost real job. Still have never filled out a w2 but I'm much better off being self employed.
Permalink Reply by Korena Anderson, CMT, LE on August 9, 2009 at 6:52pm
I was in the Dental field. I worked as a Certified Dental Assistant and Office Manager. The dentist I worked for was into wholistic medicine and preventative and alternative healthcare and I learned a lot about it before going to Massage School.
Permalink Reply by Drake Anderson on August 9, 2009 at 7:09pm
I used to be in the radio broadcasting field. I hosted a sports talk show for four years and managed the station for seven years.
Permalink Reply by Shawn Maria Brinza on August 9, 2009 at 8:44pm
I was in real estate for 12 years. Loved it for the first 6. Massage came to me as a shift in my focus of survival. I know that had I only found it 12 years sooner I would have saved myself, at least in some ways from being on a superwoman frenzie... Its refreshing, massage that is, its like going from a feeding frenzie to dinner and a movie with the love of your life...
Permalink Reply by Marilen Wood on August 10, 2009 at 1:36am
I did office work for both non-profit and for-profit companies. The work itself drove me nuts and many of my co-workers told me I had missed my calling whenever I gave them shoulder rubs at their desks. I finally decided to take the hint and go to massage school, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. :)

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