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 December 2, 2009 at 5:57pm

Glad to have you with us, Allison!

Allison Kay Poteet said:

I did physical therapy. I started in the USAF (4 years) and then did 2 years in a civilian clinic. The USAF actually paid 75% of my tuition for massage school since it complemented my profession, and my part time civilian employer paid for my books and the other 25% of my tuition (he was my former lieutenant). He wanted a licensed alternative practitioner in the office if he had to leave the office and at least I could administer hot packs and manual therapy to patients until he could return. Then the laws changed and the job of physical therapy tech vanished. Shame...they have Lvns and nurses aides...anyway. I would have had to go back to school for 3+ years (2 full time) to become a PTA in the state of TX. A good investment as they make very good money, but I was in the throes of bearing children and felt the strong call to be home for them and amp up my herbal medicine studies. Massage therapy has been the greatest part time job ever! The 7 years in the physical therapy field and the education that came from my time in the military has been exponentially valuable in the care of my clients.

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Permalink Reply by Napoleon Meadors III on December 2, 2009 at 11:09pm

I worked in the manufacturing arena as a Designer, Project Engineer, Quality Engineer and last as a Quality Engineering Manager for 30 years. The last company I worked for was purchased by a Spanish firm and they replaced all the management with their own. Rather than relocate and get back into the rat race that is manufacturing I decided to pursue starting a business. I am also a Certified Tennis instructor and I used massage and facilitated stretching as part of my training regimen. I had read several books and watched videos of massage techniques and had considered getting formal training. Now was the time and 4 years later I'm thinking, I should have done this years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Last Minute Massage on December 3, 2009 at 9:20am

Your previous job sounds amazing too!!!!! Before Last Minute Massage, I was a marketing and account manager for a disaster restoration company. I chased storms!

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Permalink Reply by Crystal Dawn Suovanen on December 3, 2009 at 2:15pm

I was and still am on the side a multimedia designer. That includes websites, logos, ads and more.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on December 3, 2009 at 6:05pm

Well, we're glad you finally made it! Tennis... huh?

Napoleon Meadors III said:

I worked in the manufacturing arena as a Designer, Project Engineer, Quality Engineer and last as a Quality Engineering Manager for 30 years. The last company I worked for was purchased by a Spanish firm and they replaced all the management with their own. Rather than relocate and get back into the rat race that is manufacturing I decided to pursue starting a business. I am also a Certified Tennis instructor and I used massage and facilitated stretching as part of my training regimen. I had read several books and watched videos of massage techniques and had considered getting formal training. Now was the time and 4 years later I'm thinking, I should have done this years ago.

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Permalink Reply by Nicola Hogan on December 3, 2009 at 10:23pm

I worked in Hospitality for 15 years. I was a restaurant manager and whilst I loved learning about food and wine and the socializing it was very demanding work. Hospitality has a tendency to consume your life, you socialize with the people you work with and keep strange hours. However, I have taken away with me some valuable tools, customer service, attention to detail, the ability to market and present myself confidently and professionally, and I still love good food and learning about wine, except I do it for my pleasure now.
I dated a man who was completing his studies in Shiatsu and received many treatments from him. It was through receiving touch regularly that I discovered how much I enjoyed touch and that I had a natural ability to give touch. This began my change in career.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on December 4, 2009 at 10:44am

Hi Crystal,

Would love to see some of your work. I fiddle with some of these aspects also!

Crystal Dawn Suovanen said:

I was and still am on the side a multimedia designer. That includes websites, logos, ads and more.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on December 4, 2009 at 1:05pm

So many therapists come out of the service fields. I think they were all great lead-ins to this profession.

Nicola Hogan said:

I worked in Hospitality for 15 years. I was a restaurant manager and whilst I loved learning about food and wine and the socializing it was very demanding work. Hospitality has a tendency to consume your life, you socialize with the people you work with and keep strange hours. However, I have taken away with me some valuable tools, customer service, attention to detail, the ability to market and present myself confidently and professionally, and I still love good food and learning about wine, except I do it for my pleasure now.
I dated a man who was completing his studies in Shiatsu and received many treatments from him. It was through receiving touch regularly that I discovered how much I enjoyed touch and that I had a natural ability to give touch. This began my change in career.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on December 10, 2009 at 12:03pm

Really a storm chaser? I think you are our first at that!

Last Minute Massage said:

Your previous job sounds amazing too!!!!! Before Last Minute Massage, I was a marketing and account manager for a disaster restoration company. I chased storms!