I was exposed to massage therapy as part of a stress management class at a youth leadership camp when I was 14. Although, I did not realize back then its potential for a viable and self-managed career as a health care professional until I met my massage therapist in 1996 when I sought relief for severe low back pain.
My first professional session with Beth instantly brought me back to that class at camp and the feeling of being still and relaxed in my body. She nurtured me back to health and I was hooked! After two years as her devoted client, I realized I wanted to learn how to make people feel how she always made feel. Recognizing after each session that my physical being kept failing to sustain my pain-free and blissful state, I also desperately needed to escape my stressful, daily grind of a job that was entirely unfulfilling.
Through Beth’s guidance, I enrolled at Potomac Massage Training Institute (PMTI), her alma mater, which was considered one of the best programs on the east coast. I quit my corporate job after just one semester in school and never looked back.
The beginning of 2000, when I graduated, was a rebirth for me. I had been telling friends and family that this journey was my version of a mid-life crisis. But, instead of a crisis, it was a giant step into a life of true meaning and freedom. On a transformative path that allowed me to constantly grow into a better version of myself, I was eager to share the knowledge and gifts I was given with others.
I continue to promote massage therapy and learn from all the profession has to offer. My love for teaching conspired with my dedication to massage therapy when I was hired to be an instructor at PMTI in 2002. In the 10 years I spent teaching practical, law and regulations, and business classes my professional practice steadily evolved as I grew and learned from so many of my students and teaching colleagues.
As a priority goal to give back to the community through massage therapy, I have worked with injured veterans and their families, domestic violence survivors, and disaster survivors and first responders. Aside from working with my beloved clients, the most rewarding experiences I've been fortunate to have as an MT are the following volunteer opportunities:
Disaster relief deployments to Mississippi and New Orleans(Katrina), New Jersey and New York(Sandy);
Providing massage teams to Fisher House military families in DC, San Antonio, Seattle, Denver, and San Diego;
Massage teams to domestic violence centers in DC, Austin, Denver, and San Diego
Volunteer crew for Team Fisher House runners at the annual Marine Corps Marathon
Volunteer for my professional assoication, AMTA, to support members and their practices:
MERT (Massage Emergency Response Team) Coordinator, Maryland Chapter
Board Member, House of Delegates and Chapter Volunteer Orientation Program member, DC Chapter
President, DC Chapter
Member, National Board of Directors
In my own practice, my specialty as a certified orthopedic MT allows me to work with clients who have complex soft tissue conditions from chronic and acute injuries, as well as, post-surgical damage and trauma. I am also honored to have clients who seek to maintain or regain their overall well-being where I utilize a combination of other modalities in my toolbox including sports, myofascial unwinding, PNF stretching, reiki, deep tissue, and Swedish.
For over 22 years, I have been incredibly lucky to enjoy the freedom of following my internal compass and embrace my passions of massage therapy, teaching, and community volunteering. My inspiration comes from my two amazing daughters and my partner(a fellow massage therapist). They keep me grounded and humbled.
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