Submit Your Personal Massage Therapy Success Story!
Renee Strong DV09
The last time I wrote to catch you all up on my career I was working for a Chiropractor doing massages in the sawmills.
I have since then ventured out on my own doing in home massages.
The name of my bussiness is Classic Touch. I do in home massages. There is a reason I chose to do them at peoples houses verses having a room.
1.Rent costs money, whether you have massages or not.
2.People tend to be more relaxed in their own homes.
but for me the most important reason is that I have a hard time doing a 60 minute massage.
I have 3 clients that I am lucky if a massage is only 3 hours, most of my massages range around two.
I know most of you are trying to imagine what you would do for that amount of time.
I am constantly going thru my old school books, looking for tools to help my clients. There isn't a modality taught at the school that I haven't used, I usually mix them up and combine several to work on my clients.
I have a client, Mr. "X" he runs three businesses one of them being designing and putting in landscaping.
Mr. "X" is 6' 10" and weights around 400 lbs. he is what I classify as a Paul Bunyan of a man.
I can only massage him every two weeks, because he lives four hours from me one way.
so this is one of my extended massages. I start with shiatsu for about an hour to get him relaxed, stretched and everything in alignment as much as possible, then its off to sports massage and structural integration, then swedish and russian, with a little acupuncture tossed in.
I love this job, not many jobs will let me have the experiences that I have with this one.
Last year a potential client called my home, asking if I did massages in the Great Galls area, Great Falls is over 200 miles away from my home, so we talked, he said he was a rancher, and had several people who wanted massages, so it would be profitable for me.
I had my husband drive me up, and from that one call I have recieved more buisness than I had in two years of pounding the streets.
I don't use flyers.
This rancher who called me got my name from the state since I am licensed through them.
I can't say enough for referrals or the word of mouth, its true what they say it can make or break you.
Mr. "Rancher" has referred me to over 300 people. His son flys from St. Louis to receive treatments, he claims he can't find anyone in St. Louis that will give such an intensive massage.
I have been looking for a therapist for him over there, so if any of you are going to be in the St. Louis area, please email me. He has even started buying me tickets to go over there and massage his freinds, this is a great oportuinty for someone who loves to work.
I also have started to do a study, and would be interested in information from other therapists on diabetics.
I have my clients with sugar issues take their sugar count before a massage and after, in my clients it goes down significantly. I am working with a few doctors up here keeping a record of the changes and the modalities is use, how long the sessions are.
If you do massage people with sugar issues, please ask them to bring their testers, and keep track, have food and drink at the ready.
Kathleen Wells, CV12
I graduated last August, and immediately became a Classroom Manager for DV20. I loved being back in the classroom helping new students achieve their dreams. Before I applied at Elemis Spa at the Aladdin Casino, I resumed being a Classroom Manager for DV21. I started at Elemis in May 2004. I love working at the Spa as well. I continue to TA at NSMT for the Structural Integration Core. Massage has changed my life, and I love the choice I made coming into this career.
Michelle Spencer C77
How lucky can one girl get? I not only get to receive massage, but I get to give it! I not only get to learn massage, but I get to teach it! I have a full time private practice in which I stay very busy, and am looking to expand. I am a Board Member of the AMTA Utah Chapter, and I TA at UCMT. My life is GOLDEN, and I couldn't have done it without the wonderful education that UCMT provided for me. My experience with UCMT has been nothing but wonderful, while as a student, and now as a TA.
Monica Yamaguchi D92 & D92MP
Dear Career Services,
I started at UCMT in Aug of 2004 and during my schooling became friends with Randy. After he graduated he moved to Nevada but we continued to keep close contact. Randy and I are always working on one another and when he got a job at one of the local spas he told his co-workers and manager about me. This peaked the manager's interest and because she was so impressed with Randy's work and the training that he had recieved she trusted him and his intuition and unofficially offered me a job before I even graduated! Word about me quickly spread and by the time I arrived in NV I already had job interviews with two high-class spas before I ever stepped foot in the buildings! I'm so proud of the education that Randy and I have recived at UCMT. We walk into job interviews knowing that we have the best training around and that we deserve the respect that we are getting. We now are both working at the Oasis Spa and things are absolutely lovely. In fact, we just got back from a fabulous mini-vacation in Vegas. I never thought I would be in such a great place! Thank you UCMT!!
All my Thanks,
Monica D92 & D92MP
Alisa Flores- Fierro DXO5
Hello Career Services...
Everyone else has such great stories, way to go Renee Strong DVO9!!!
Since graduating ASMT-Phx.campus in March of 2004, I have been moving in leaps and bounds. I was hired by an upscale day spa a month before graduation which lead to my next job at Arrowhead Country Club Sport and fitness.In October of 2004, I began looking for a new place to hang my hat.
The day before Christmas myself and my co-workers were notified that the sports club was no longer able to run a day spa. Of course we were all extremely dissapointed, but you know what they say, " As one door closes....many, many more will open" !!! to make this long story short....
After about 3 months of negotiating with the GM at The Village Sport and Health Club in Verrado, we came to an agreement complete with a small working contract.
I now provide home visits to the community of Verrado. I often attend, by invitation only, events at The Raven Golf Club as well as other wonderful family events at The Village. This is what it's all about! It's not a job to me,it's like a miraculous gift. I feel like I have been doing this all of my life!
But wait, there's more! A few months ago I decided to take my practice to a different level. Now I am renting a room at a local Chiropractor's office as well as doing home visits in Verrado and surrounding west valley cities. I am also a member of a west valley spiritual group in Goodyear. As busy as I am, I always find time to get a massage once a week, and Reflexology once a month. PHEW!
Thank you to all Phx. campus staff...I LOVE my new career!
P.S. If you put my story in the net, can you add a little note to Veronica Bales from DXO5 to look me up.
I would very much like to find out if she is interested in possibly partnering up in business.
Thank you very much!
~ Alisa Flores-Fierro DXO5
D67 and D68CT
Hello UCMT..Thanks for the great education. I graduated August 02 from the Salt Lake campus and started working for Hospice and doing out call massage in the Salt Lake area. After a year I moved to Lava Hot Springs Idaho where I worked at a Inn giving massages and helping around the in for six months, now im back in my home town of Corvallis Oregon, ive been here for a year and a half working at a Salon/Day Spa its been interesting trying to build up a clientel, all my other jobs were one time guests so this has presented challenges to me. Im learning to sell myself and advertise. Ive also worked for the Oregon State Womens Basketball Team providing Sports Massage for them(thank you andre). Now im trying to start a private pratice, Ive been renting an offoce space once a month for now. I hope to one day take some continuing education classes at UCMT, thanks UCMT!
Marie Knowlton Davis DP32
Hello, UCMT!
I graduated in Oct. '04 and found a job less than a week later. For six months, I worked at Hobble Creek Day Spa in Springville, UT, where I got the opportunity to learn raindrop therapy, manual and bio-electric lymph drainage, and to improve my hot stone massage. The first time I did cranial-sacral on a client, his bones moved so much that after the session, his eyeglass prescription was no longer completely correct! I was also able to help people recover from auto and construction accidents, provide seated chair massage for corporate clients, and work on clients with chronic conditions. Sadly, that spa closed its doors in May '05. I turned down two job offers at day spas in the area because I wanted to spend weekend time with my family. For a while, I took a job outside the field so I could get health insurance benefits for myself and my new husband (married April 27, '05). I soon realized that working as a therapist had spoiled me for a "regular job", and once I started working on my co-workers and others, I realized I was building up a private practice on the side! I went back to working in the field in Sept. and am now contracting with Alpha Life Chiropractic in American Fork, UT. It's very rewarding to help people get out of pain and recover from accidents. I now know that there are plenty of jobs out there, and there is nothing as satisfying as working in the field of massage therapy! Thanks to UCMT, I have an education that prepared me to be successful in a field I love, and that will provide a good income for me and my family!!
I hope to learn at least two more energy modalities and teach classes in energy work and self-healing for the public.
Autumn Miller D19
Being a massage therapist has taken me to some AMAZING places, given me an OUTRAGEOUS income, and fulfilled my dreams of doing something that was meaningful to the world and meaningful to me. I was offered many jobs directly after graduation and chose the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa which, at the time was one of the top 10 spas in the nation. After gaining some amazing experience and great contacts, I worked with many celebrities as their personal massage therapist. I wanted to diversify my practice and attended school in southern California for esthetics. The combination of being an esthetician and massage therapist is so fantastic. After working in Orange County's hottest spa I went to work for a family, as their personal massage therapist/esthetician. It's really as great as it sounds! However, I fell in love with Aspen, CO and decided to stay and leave them when they moved to Arizona. I have developed an incredible private clientele and now employ 4 other massage therapists. I'm flown all around the country to take working vacations all year. What a way to live! Thank you UCMT! The training I received has given me so very much.
Harriet McEntire D68
I graduated spring of 2002 and dove immediately into the business side of massage. I slowly watched my private practice in Park City grow while I supplemented that income with work at a chiropractic office. The winter of 2003, I took a leap of faith, crossed my fingers and opened the Align Spa in Park City. To this day, I still have a handful of UCMT grads who've been with me since the beginning and they've become friends and family to me. Owning, operating and working in the spa is something that has taken my education from UCMT to a whole new level! UCMT now also serves as a great resource for me in keeping my spa running smoothly with both great therapists and supplies from Bodywork Mall. I'm grateful for the lessons I learned from UCMT along with the continued lessons I get DAILY from Align. Thanks for everything.
C48-1999
Hi there. I graduated from UCMT in the summer of 1999, and was recruited at the end of my year by a large spa in Southern California, the La Quinta resort and spa. Well, they worked me hard for a few years, and i ventured on to new territory. I worked as a massage therapist in Mammoth Lakes, Ca until I went to the Guild for Structural Integration in Boulder, CO in 2003. Now, after having a successful business of my own, I work for an osteopath doing massage, SI and physical training while I work toward a Masters in Physical Therapy. There is always a place to start, many life changing experiences along the way, and most importantly for those who are a little older, it's NEVER too late.
Ryan Chapman CA12
Its been over 2 years since I finished school, and I had yet to work as a Therapist. I moved to Hawaii a year ago and just finally got my license. Thinking it would be hard to get back into it with so long off, I took a wild shot and applied as a therapist over at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (nicest spa there is on the island of Oahu) They offered me a job on the spot working for Mandara Spa on the interisland cruise ships. In one week I will be island jumping through the Hawaii Islands for 8 months, making great money and getting a day every week to play on whatever island i am on. During training they hired a total of 6 therapists, and of the 6, 4 of them are UCMT graduates. The money is so good on the ship, in a matter of 3 months, I will have earned enough to completly pay for all my schooling. Definetly dont regret my choice of where I went to school.
Elisha Brown D90
As a grad of UCMT I was very excited to start my new career. However I had a very rocky start. I graduated in october of 2004 and came back to casper wyoming where I am from. I started work at a chiropratic office right away. I really enjoyed the work there but i wanted a job out of wyoming so i applied for a job a the vetian hotel in vegas and was hired by them at a recruiting visit. On my way to my new home and job in vegas i was hit by a semi truck driver and I could not practice massage for about 5 months. This was not the best of times. After recovery from my car accident I started putting out resumes again and landed a job here in casper wyoming working for Miller Chiropractic Center and I absoultly love it. I just wanted to say thanks to UCMT for giving the skills and determination I needed to make it in the ever growing massage field. It was a long road to get my dream job but it was all worth it. And now I have a good friend who is going to attend the school.
Shari Bowers DV09 and D66SP
I went to Massage school attending at the Las Vegas branch. I decided to go to Massage school because I had recently at the time had knee surgery and massage was part of my treatment. What an amazing difference that made. I was still using cruches, and after a couple of weeks I had no need for them. Upon graduation I went for the Spa Track up in Salt Lake. I found the program amazingly beneficial from many aspects. One of them being the fact that I wanted to start my own business and Not have to work for anyone else again. The second reason being I could work my own hours. While there, I found a very good friend from class which had the same ideas as I. Her name is Lisa Fry. After graduation from the Spa program, we both moved our families to Bullhead City and began work in Massage Therapy. Did I mention our families consist of 5 kids combined? Yes we are the "Brady Bunch" sort of speak. As of a few weeks ago we opened our own business. Healing Hands Therapeutic Center. We are located in Ft. Mohave AZ. This is a new and exciting time for us and we both are hoping that we do well. If any of you ever pass through this area please stop in to say hello.
Grant Freeman- DX09
When I first filled out my enrollment application, I had no idea that being a Massage Therapist would be such an enjoyable profession. When the time comes to fill out your enrollment application, be ready for a challenge, fun, and a head filled with incredibly valuable information that no one will ever take from you, and few other schools teach. Signing on that dotted line at UCMT was the best decision I've ever made. Go for it!
PAOLA NAVARRO D0520
I AM VERY SATIFIED WITH THE EDUCATION I GOT IN ASMT( ARIZONA SCHOOL OF MASSAGE THERAPY,PHOENIX,AZ) AT FIRST I I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT NOW WITH THIS I KNOW I CAN HEAL PEOLPLE AND HELP THEM WHEN THEY NEED IT. THIS WAS THE BEST DECISION I'VE EVER MADE...
Alan Beebe C92
When I first started massage school I as extermly apprehensive about how things would work out. As I went through the program and became more knowledgeable about the body and massage therapy, it was very exciting and I loved learning and growing in every asspect of the work.
I'm now at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and it's been a great experience and the guests that come in are extrordinary people and alot of fun to work on.
I could not have made it this far without the education that I received at UCMT. Thank you and good luck to all.
Kaylon Copus CX04
“As I think back at my life before I was in Massage School, I realize that I wasn't truly living. This career has taken me to places that I couldn't have even imagined before. I have accomplished so much and am truly proud of the direction my life has taken. While in Massage School (Phoenix campus) I had the opportunity to work for various Chiropractors gaining experience in the medical aspect of massage also volunteering for cancer walks and various events around the valley. Shortly after graduating I became a teacher’s assistant at the massage school I was so proud to be a part of, but that wasn't even the beginning of my success. I soon after was accepted as a Massage Therapist on a 5 star cruise line working for Steiner. I was flown to London for preparation and because of my training was quickly sent to my cruise ship in the Mediterranean. I was lucky enough to visit some of the most prestigious locations in Europe. Including, Ireland, Turkey, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Spain, France and many more. I remember one day I was lying on the beach in Monte Carlo and thinking just a year earlier I was working a nine to five job going nowhere. I never felt so good. I was on the Cruise Ship for 6 months, everyday waking up in a new country, meeting new people, and having the time of my life. Don’t get me wrong though, it was some of the hardest work I have ever done, but knowing that after work I was going to be having coffee in Sicily or visiting the Greek ruins helped me through every day. After the cruise ship I realized I wasn’t ready to go home so I decided to move to the Rocky Mountains. I thought a nice winter of Snowboarding in one of the most amazing resort towns in the country would be a nice addition to my travels. The money was great up here, not to mention all the fun in the snow. Well a season soon turned 3 seasons and since then I have become the Manager/ Lead Therapist of a spa. I am in charge of 30+ employees. I have done radio advertisements, news interviews, ad TV commercials advertising massage therapy, and now recently was proud to hire a recent graduate of the same school I attended. In my off time I go white water rafting, canoeing, camping, hiking and having the time of my life. I definitely owe it all to my decision of becoming a Massage Therapist. Thank you so much Phoenix Campus for the influence and the start up for an amazing life.”
Mandy Wyatt C0707
I graduated UCMT- Denver School of Massage Dec.17th of 2006. In college, I could find nothing that truly inspired me or made me feel of serving purpose for others. Even as a young girl, I was always a healer and a helper, tending to my mother when in pain with MS & Fibromyalgia. As a child, I thought a Doctor was the one to make her better. But Doctor after Doctor, kept telling her they could not help her, or that the pain was in her head(when I knew oh so differently). I always knew that medication seemed to mask her hurt, and not relieve her from it. I thought maybe working in a hospital, but after many visits there for various occasions; I knew I could not work in the smell, the hours, the environment, the energy often felt(sick/pain/negativity of last resorts). I always knew that touch was more healing to a crying baby, or a mother's care gave more relief to a screaming child with a booboo. The nice comfort of a hand on a forehead/temple because of a headache or the ease of nausea on a stomachache. My dream since an early age, has been to nurture and help others to understand there spirit, to allow oneself to heal naturally. By taking that step, I have been blessed with a life I only dreamnt of as a child;hence, fulfilling as a woman. In my short experience after graduation, I have assisted with the openings of 2 Spas in Vail, CO, as well as a Lead Therapist at a NEW 5 star luzury hotel & club. I also work for an Integrative Medical Group with chiropractors/PTs/MD/Pain Med Doctors.I have aided in helping Olympic/Sports athletes, Professional ski/snowboard/bike racers to musicians/DJs/artists. Having experience within a clinical setting allows me to perform injury, deep tissue, Trigger, and structural integration; as well as other useful modalities like cranial sacral therapy and reiki. I have had the opportunity to work in a world class ski destination and to become more experienced with learning techniques from other therapists from around the world and to become educated/certified in Thai and Thai Foot Massage(not to exclude other eastern techniques). The opportunity of making the choice of moving across country to fulfill a dream of helping others to wellness has given me the opportunity and chances of a life time. With allowing me to be able to be healthy in my own spirit and body!!!!
Thank You UCMT!!!!
Amy Westra-Burt DV14
Well I havent written on here in a long time but since I graduated Dec of 2002 I have accompished a lot. I did get my national certification. I live in California and I have worked for Burke Williams, a small Day spa in Riverside California and now work for Massage Envy. I love what I an doing and love the concept of Massage Envy. If you ever get a chance to check it out or need a job with a great company check it out. They are now popping up everywhere nation-wide. They were private and just started when I was going to school and now they are a franchisable business. I have been able to help many people feel better and I wouldnt be able to do it without my schooling from Nevada School of Massage Therapy... Thank you soo much for such a great education.
Alexis Whitehorn DXO8
My education at ASMT gave me all the the tools I needed to be successful at a very nice day spa close to my hometown. The city I worked in was close to where one of my old friends was going to college at--long story short, us being closer through work/college got us to start dating, and soon after get married! If it hadn't been for my education getting me that job, I wouldn't be living the life I am today!!
André L. Lee C0428 and D104MP
I just want to start of by saying what a wonderful part of my life this company has been and still is today. ASMT, UCMT, and Steiner will always have a place near and dear to my heart.
I’ve been told that my story is that of a “poster-child”, if you will. I came from working in retail for over 15 years, 10 in retail management. I’ve always had the “knack” for massage or so I’ve been told. So I started researching schools while living in Arlington, VA. I came across Virginia School of Massage and was going to visit to get more information. But because I was getting sick of the weather there, I moved to Arizona in April of 2005 looking for a fresh start.
After doing more research, I came across ASMT. I visited both campuses and settled on Tempe (Joe Price and Kaylynn Atwood had a lot to do with that). I knew this was the place for me when I found out I could get paid to work on a cruise ship as a massage therapist. I needed to get my financials together (Jeanine DeTiege helped tremendously).
I started in Jan. ’06 and I had my ten year vision set from the start. I wanted to finish the Professional Program, go on to the Master Bodyworker Program (MBP) at UCMT-Salt Lake City, work for Steiner on a cruise ship, and then work for a sports massage company and then run my own. I had a blast throughout the program and made lifelong friends along the way. I graduated in Dec. ’06 and went straight to the MBP @ UCMT-Salt Lake City for the Jan. ’07 start. I loved it right from the start (except for the weather). I appreciated how the courses started to blend together and make sense. It put everything I had learned up to that point in perfect perspective.
I didn’t stop there (remember my vision). Steiner was recruited at the Salt Lake campus a week after I graduated from MBP in March ’07. So I stuck around and interviewed with some of my classmates. I was so nervous, I kept going to Career Services to make sure I had turned in everything I was supposed to for the recruitment visit. I was told that “they will know your life story by the time you interview as much as your in here.” Anyway, I interviewed and must have made an impression because I got an email the next day (they said it would take two weeks at the interview) saying “Congratulations, welcome to Steiner .” I was so ecstatic, I didn’t believe it at first. I thought a roommate was playing a joke on me. IT WAS REAL. I made it.
The next few months were spent preparing to go to train in Hawai’I with Steiner. I went to training in July ’07 and in Aug. I went to work on NCL America’s Pride of Hawai’i. I had an absolutely amazing time there. I went through Onboard Safety Training and then to work in the spa. My first full day in the spa I worked a 14 hour shift and did 12 treatments (8 massages, 2 scrubs, 2 wraps). I was tired, but not exhausted, so I went to the crew bar and met what are now lifelong friends. I spent six months sailing the Hawai’ian Islands. Then, the unthinkable happened. The ship, Pride of Hawai’I, was repositioned to the Mediterranean. I was one of a few therapists chosen to go with the ship!!!
I took the ship to LA in Feb. ‘08, where we were in wet dock for a week. This is where the ship was reflagged from U.S. to Bahamas to be the MS Norwegian Jade. We took the ship through the Panama Canal (amazing) to Miami. From there we went TransAtlantic to Portugal and Spain. We spent two week in dry dock making the ship even more beautiful inside and out in Cadiz, Spain. Sad to say after that it was time for me leave, but not until I had one more cruise. I got to see Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Turkey. All of this on my first contract with Steiner. Unbelievable.
When I came back to the U.S. in April, I had no idea where to start because I was just in such a whirlwind. So, I came up to ASMT and talked with Maria Richards and Jason Winckler in Career Services. Much to my surprise, there was an opening to work in Career Services at night. Knowing how much I had been helped, I jumped at the chance to work at ASMT. I started in June and fit right in to the “family.”
In October, the MBP came to the Tempe Campus and I was asked to work in the day to be a teaching assistant for a recent graduate who is blind, Brian Watson. How could I say no. It was great for me to come full circle and to get a refresher, as well. Brian and his dog, Barry, were absolutely amazing and have made a lasting impression on me.
With the beginning of a new year, I thought I was ready to enter a new phase of my vision. Except….I just accepted a position onboard the Pride of America in Hawai’I for a second contract. I guess ship life made an impression on me. Thanks to ASMT, I have options that I never thought possible and the vision that is fast becoming a reality.
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