I am often asked the question, “Why did you want to be a massage therapist?” To be honest, I didn’t know right away that it was what I wanted.
During my time at St. Olaf, I was on track to graduate with my degree in Exercise Science and move on to become an Athletic Trainer. When I discussed this with the head of my program, I was told that the nearest school to get my Master’s Degree was in Nebraska. Guys, I was NOT going to Nebraska! So I had to come up with a plan.
I had done a project in another class where I researched 3 different professions relating to my major, one of them being massage therapy. I had received my first massage when I was 16 and there was NO turning back, ya’ll! It was life changing for me! I had discovered that my own massage therapist attended Sister Rosalind Gefre’s Schools and Clinics of Massage, so I contacted them shortly after graduating from Olaf.
They had a 3-month introductory Swedish Massage class that I could take with no commitments. If I wanted to pursue the remainder of the 18-month course, I had the opportunity to do so. So I did. That 18-months took me 3 years to finish! Halfway through, I was so burnt out that I couldn’t fathom opening up another textbook… so I went on “hiatus”. I worked at Mystic Lake Casino as a beverage server and then as a cage cashier on graveyard shift. I hated myself. Was this my life? I had a Bachelor’s Degree and was halfway through massage school and I worked in a casino doing a job that had absolutely nothing to do with what I had just spent 4.5 years of my life pursuing. I couldn’t take it! So I went back to school during the day/evening and working overnight, and I finally graduated in January of 2008.
I gained experience working in a wide variety of clinic and spa settings, but none of them were quite right for me. I finally found a place where I was comfortable, but the dream of going out on my own always lingered in the back of my mind.
Then in 2017, I got an overuse injury. I busted my body working 30 hands-on hours a week and I paid for it. I thought I was done. There was nothing else that I wanted to do! I LOVE massage! I mean, I really, truly LOVE what I do! I help people to live their best lives and I was NOT about to give that up! So after a little over a year of rest and just two and a half months after giving birth to my son, Noah, I opened the doors to MY OWN STUDIO!
My dream has finally become a reality! And I have my loyal clients, my business partners, and my husband to thank! It is – and always will be – a work in progress. I am constantly thinking up new ways to provide YOU with the best services possible, and connect you with other professionals in the community to help you along on your wellness journey. YOU are worth it! Your goals of living pain-free are worth pursuing and I will do all I can to help you get there. I am here FOR YOU and because of YOU. Thank you!
