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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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Aloha Marie-Eve. I need all this help because we have a convention every year called, The World Massage Festival! Click on the yellow lite bulb and it will take you to a page that you can join and learn all the details. Aloha!

Marie-Eve said:
Aloha Mike!
Before finding my path in learning and doing healing works I was a photographer :)
May I ask you why you need a lot of professionals and amateurs?
(Btw I am also a historian, an ethnologist and a world traveler!)
Tell me what you need and I'll help you if I can!
I was in the Printing Industry for 23 years... during that Time I was a lic. Minister


Mike
We are glad you are here!

Michael McAleese said:
I was in the Printing Industry for 23 years... during that Time I was a lic. Minister


Mike
Looks like a really nice place and business, Dennis! I know you are proud. Hope you give lots of tips to the new therapists that may see these as rough times. What did it take to get there and how much of it was what I call my Ant Philosophy.
http://www.massageprofessionals.com/profiles/blogs/hello-world-are-... (my first blog).

Thanks for all you've done for the profession. We need more of you.

Dennis Gibbons said:
I worked as a Pipefitter in Cleveland, Ohio. Became interested in muscles and how they affected the body while living in Tucson Arizona. Moved back to Cleveland continued working as a pipefitter and went to massage school. In 1986 started a part time practice and went full time with my practice in June of 1988. Have developed a business called Chagrin Valley Wellness Center. visit us at www.chagrinvalleywellness.com
Amen, Rosemary! So many therapists forget that customer service and care are a very big part of getting a return client.

Rosemary Chunco said:
I was a software engineer. I got a bad back at one stage (herniated disk), got on the receiving end of massage and had an epiphany. I used to lie on the table and be envious of my massage therapist's job.

I have also worked in the hotel and retail industries before I did the computer thang - think that helped with learning what good customer service is all about.
I'm a Cosmetologist and thought after 19 years to add something to it. I've benn a MT for 3 years now and own my own little place since July
I was an elementary teacher for 10 years, followed by grad school, then 10 years as high school drama teacher, and last 10 years as an Instructional Technology Specialist-- all for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools overseas and here in North Carolina. Amazing career! However, massage therapy has taken my soul to heights I never dreamed of. Priceless!
I worked for about a year in Alzheimer's care, then in assisted living for 4 years. Decided I needed something where I could be appreciated and compensated for the work I do, and was no longer "grossed out" by having to touch hairy bodies as I was in high school when I had first considered massage.
I went to college, bachelors degree in medical technology (laboratory tech). I worked for almost 25 years in 3 different community hospitals. From bench tech to department manager and back to bench tech. Liked receiving massage but didn't have the money or proximity to schools to make the change. Then both my parents passed away. I decided that I needed to make a major life change. So I moved from NC back to the family home in Ohio. Scheduled a massage to work out the "unpacking pains". The MT was a woman I had known in elementary school. Turned out that there was a great massage school within 20 miles of my house. Used some of my inheritance and went to school. Have had my own practice for 2.5 years. Best change I could have ever made.
I just started and I still work for a major airline...With the flexiblity it gives me I am able to continue to pursue my massage career...
I was a Barista! I worked for my parents coffee shop until it finally went under after five years. It was then I decided I better find a good career. I liked working with my hands and had always gave massages to friends and family. It was after I got through an entire employment section and realized there was nothing for me, when I saw an add for massage school. I started three weeks later.
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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