From Dream to Practice: My Journey in Massage Therapy

When I was a junior in high school, I had the classic assignment: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I didn’t have a clue—but my grandmother, AKA “Gommie,” did. She was already a practicing massage therapist, as was my Aunt Bernita. Gommie looked at me and said, “I think you’d be a great massage therapist.” She told me about a woman named Susan Salvo, a respected educator she admired. “She really knows her stuff,” Gommie said. Susan owned the school Gommie recommended—the Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy in Lake Charles, Louisiana. I enrolled that fall, right after graduating in 1995, and I started school alongside my Uncle Bernard, which made the experience even more special. I was 17 years old and unsure of myself. During class one day, while I was performing a massage, Susan’s husband Mike—who was also my instructor—said, “You have the touch.” I’ll never forget how good it felt to feel seen. Not by my mom or dad, but by someone outside my family who recognized something in me.

I graduated the following year, moved to Lake Charles, and spent the next three years building my practice before eventually going out on my own. In 2005, Susan asked if I wanted to become an instructor at LIMT. I discovered my love for teaching, and I’m still honored to serve as an instructor there today. One day, God gave me a vision: a cozy little cottage. The image was so vivid and real—I knew it was the beginning of something. So, I started preparing to receive it. I wrote a business plan and met with a financial advisor. I started saving money for a down payment. I bought a wireless phone and charged it, and I assembled my chair and desk. I labeled folders for my future bills and placed them in my filing cabinet. And eventually, I found it—that cottage from my vision—and it was perfect. We were there for 15 wonderful years. Looking back, I realize that my business model has always been centered on relationships and community. It functions more like a wellness co-op—intentionally designed to foster connection, growth, and mutual support. Practitioners rent rooms, and some even share space. Many work part-time or are just beginning their careers, but no one is in it alone. This model makes it easier for new therapists to start without overwhelming costs or isolation. They can begin small, grow at their own pace, and learn within a supportive network. We've created more than just a workplace—we've built a true community. We share referrals, celebrate successes, and show up for each other.

At the heart of it all is a deep belief in collaboration over competition. When one of us wins, we all do. This profession has given me so much—a sense of purpose, a meaningful livelihood, and a strong, supportive community. It helped me build a life rooted in healing, service, and human connection. Now, I have the privilege of giving back. I serve on the Board of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education. I represent AMTA Louisiana as a Delegate and serve as the chapter's Newsletter Editor. I also contribute to the Society of Massage Archives by transcribing oral histories that preserve the voices and stories of our profession. Closer to home, I founded the Sunshine Committee in Lake Charles to help local massage therapists connect, collaborate, and support one another. Massage therapy isn’t just my career—it’s my family’s tradition. Today, there are eight massage practitioners in my family, including uncles, aunts, a cousin, and even my mom. I’m proud to carry on this tradition as a third-generation massage therapist. Giving back is how I honor everyone who came before me—and everyone who’s still to come.