I started work as a professional massage therapist in 2005, but I have been giving massages since 1983. I discovered I enjoyed giving massages since my second grade teacher would let students give her shoulder and foot massages during story time. But, I thought I had a different plan for my life.
I truly fell in love with massage in 1994, the same year I started a Mechanical Engineering degree at Texas A&M University. I had friends that I traded massages with and others I just gave massages to. They always asked when I was going to go to massage school. "Never, I'm going to be an engineer." I got my bachelors in 1998 and started a PhD program, but I still got the same question about massage school.
In 2005 I realized that even though I liked being an engineer, having a career as an engineer would always be WORK. It could certainly pay the bills and be satisfying, but it would not bring me happiness within. Once I understood that happiness was possible at a job, I decided to finally go to massage school.
I can not say that the road has always been smooth since that decision, but it was the right decision.
At first, everything I have said so far may not appear to tell you who I am as a massage therapist, but the truth is it says a lot. I'm not a massage therapist by accident or because it was convenient. Giving massages is a passion that brings me happiness! If I did not have bills to pay, I would do it for free.
I will always be an engineer. It is who I am and how I think. Engineering is about problem solving. I use that mindset for everything in my life. How can I help you be healthier and feel better is a problem I strive to solve everyday. Sometimes the problem is stress and sometimes it is pain. In my own mind I want to define the problem, recognize the desired outcome, and find the best way from one to the other.
I am not a doctor. I am not allowed to diagnose or prescribe. But, with many thousands of hours of experience to learn from, I am allowed to make educated guesses to guide my hands and my advice to help you reach your desired outcomes.