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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 Mike Hinkle on
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We sure do have a lot of ex bartenders in this profession! Really it is just another service job, but one that probably gets you closer to a different type of "therapist"! (lol) Boy, I bet you have some stories!
Bridget Turnbach said:College, Massage School, Massage practice; then taught High School History for 6 years, then back to business!
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You have had a lot of service in there. We welcome you to the profession. If there is a way we can help just holler.
Gabriele G. La Vone said:I was a housewife for 17 years, raising 2 daughters ....prior to that I was a Dept. Manager in a German Manufacturing Company for 5-1/2 yrs located in the US, and before that I worked as a receptionist in a Law and Accounting firm for 6 months (while looking for a better job).....because of the exchange program I was in (18 months = work/study = 1 semester at Gannon University in Erie, PA) which was preceded by 24 years in Germany....Gymnasium (back then = High School + 2 yrs of college), Foreign Correspondent for English and French and a Business Education in 'Industrial Business Management. Somewhere in there I did 3 semesters of Law and didn't like it, so I quit.
Looking at this list, I guess I am a learner.....I am currently working part-time doing chair massages for a Company at the aiport and part-time outcalls for private clients, while participating in the local Medical Qi-Gong Therapist Course......there is so much to learn and apply........
And yes, this is a good question. I have always been amazed at how versatile Massage Therapists are...they come from all walks of life......the other thing I noticed is, that a lot of them had to go through some 'trauma' to get there.......
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Well, it's a lot better for your health as well. And you are a lot safer than before!
Jeffery S. Smith said:I was a deputy sheriff and a security officer...still work security, but got tired of people not wanting to see me. Like showing up as a massage therapist and having the people excited that you are finally there.
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You have a unique background. Coming from that direction, how do your old friends handle your new profession?
Mike Hinkle said:Well, it's a lot better for your health as well. And you are a lot safer than before!
Jeffery S. Smith said:I was a deputy sheriff and a security officer...still work security, but got tired of people not wanting to see me. Like showing up as a massage therapist and having the people excited that you are finally there.
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Permalink Reply by Sue Wood on
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I was a picture framer for 20+ years. Somehow, volunteering for a local AIDS organization led me to become
a shiatsu practitioner.
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But your heart was in the right place to recieve the invitation, through volunteering. By the way you should sign up for The Presidential Service Award for your volunteer efforts. Therapists do so much volunteer work, why not be recognized by the President for it. Look here for details http://www.worldmassagefestival.com/service.html
Sue Wood said:I was a picture framer for 20+ years. Somehow, volunteering for a local AIDS organization led me to become
a shiatsu practitioner.
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Permalink Reply by Marilyn St.John on
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I was a licensed veterinary technician for 30+ years on & off; manager of Corporate Communications for a materials research (alternative energy) company for several years; a musician, a riding instructor, a Reiki master practitioner...and finally, a massage therapist. It's been a logical progression, and I use everything I ever learned about anything doing this work! I love that it appeals to both sides of my brain. First & foremost, I am a mother to two grown daughters...and about to become a grandma! Life is good.
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Permalink Reply by Andrea McCully on
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Dog groomer for a large corporation. I've been doing it for going on 15 yrs now. Dogs were always a passion of mine, but I'm ready to move onto something more rewarding. Now I am trying to build up my clientelle so that I can focus solely on massage. For one, it's too hard to try to do both-and for two, you can just about forget about trying to maintain proper body mechanics as a dog groomer! LOL Now that I know better, it seems harder and harder on my body.
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Permalink Reply by Rosalinda Huck on
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I got my B.S. degree and certification in Therapeutic Recreation and did that for four years. I provided recreation programs and events for kids, teens, and adults with physical and developmental disabilites. Mostly, I worked in wheelchair sports, helping young athletes aspire towards competing in the Paralympics, as well as working with competitive individual and adult athletes and teams. Very rewarding, and it's what got me interested in massage.
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Permalink Reply by Mae Onosaki on
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I have worked in service in one form or another. I started in food service, worked for a library, worked in retail, worked for the federal department of Veterans Affairs as a Veterans Service Rep & burned out, feeling I wasn't able to actually serve vets & their families due to internal politics & bureaucracy. So I went to massage school (which was what I considered doing right before I landed the VA job), worked some more retail, reception, and as a client service rep for a emergency food program before FINALLY getting my license to practice massage.
I've been self-employed or an independent contractor ever since! And I feel like I have genuinely touched people's lives.
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Congratulations on your grandchild! Do you do pet massage? It would seem a natural for you and you already have all those contacts!
Marilyn St.John said:I was a licensed veterinary technician for 30+ years on & off; manager of Corporate Communications for a materials research (alternative energy) company for several years; a musician, a riding instructor, a Reiki master practitioner...and finally, a massage therapist. It's been a logical progression, and I use everything I ever learned about anything doing this work! I love that it appeals to both sides of my brain. First & foremost, I am a mother to two grown daughters...and about to become a grandma! Life is good.
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Permalink Reply by Jorge Arnaldo Pabón Acevedo on
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To begin, a student at the university for Social Worker. While studying also worked in different restaurants, both full time, studying at the mornings and at the afternoons working from 8 to 10 hours. Unsatisfied, I decided to take a course in Computer Repair, but that was not the career I was looking for. While studying Computer Repair discovered at the Institute who had begun to show the course of Professional Massage and curiosity killed the cat. With nothing more to lose I register for the course and while I gained knowledge, I discovered in my new skills, which I not knew. I began to develop as a massage therapist and after the course ends with the satisfaction that that was what I wanted to my professional life. And so ends as Massage Therapist.
Sorry for my English, its really bad!
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