Why I Became A Massage Therapist
I became attracted to massage therapy because of two major things: I have dextro-scoliosis and I wanted to really find a "cure" for it (IF there is) and secondly, being a Medical Technologist and an Emergency Medical Technician myself, I have always been drawn to health-care careers.
I wanted to become an alternative medical doctor (IF there is also such a career as that). With many hurdles and bumps along the way including the ability to afford tuition fees, I proceeded to learn more about massage therapy in 1999, I was able to get my first job in a spa in 2003 after numerous trainings provided by my employer.
My Life As A Massage Therapist
I started to work part-time, then full-time in a spa where my knowledge and skills were honed. The best part was having to learn about a lot of things other than massage and the worst part was the pay-grade, which was having to start again a career where I was paid only a dollar a day but the training and experience I got from working in the massage therapy industry was invaluable.
I found out that it was a viable career that offers great opportunities only if you are willing to really put your heart and business acumen into it.
Through the years and with many new learnings, including alleviating my back aches due to my scoliosis, I embraced many new ideas in massage and spa techniques from skills to business, etc. Career-wise, I progressed into becoming a licensed massage therapist, until I became a certified spa therapist, then as a spa supervisor, spa manager and director.
Nearly ten years after, in 2008, I wrote and published the book that has converged careers "The Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness Resource Book and Career Guide".
Lessons Learned
- I learned that there is no way of knowing everything
- I learned that part of being successful aside from being good in techniques, is being very good in business.
- I learned that you have to read a lot and be able to know your massage specialty before you plunge into this career
How Long I've Been A Massage Therapist
ten years
Where I Went To School & What I Thought Of It
I went to different Philippine (Asian) schools, trainers and training centers and found many good teachers.
What I've Learned on My Journey
I have learned that in order to be happy in this industry you have to really love what you do, to be really open-minded to learning. There's also a whole lot of career avenues and options that you can choose from in the wide world of massage therapy and the spa industry.
What I Wish I'd Known Before I Started
If I have had my career worked backwards, I wish I concentrated more on the business, management & operations side of things rather than the massage/spa techniques but then again, looking back, I am not sorry because with those years, I learned so much from people and from the places I have visited.
