Click the right arrow to learn more ">" As a massage therapist, a good way to combat burn out and have more stamina as a therapist would be conditioning your body (according to "Massage is Weird" by Ian Harvey"). Although any form of physical activity is incredibly helpful, a popular way of gaining strength, would be weight training. Here are the insiteful experiances from some of the strongest people I know. James Burns (Weight Training Club President (2025-2026), Background: Burns is 17 years old (2026), and he has been weight lifting since 9th grade (11th grade currently). He was selected for this project because of his incredible discipline to achieve his goal of becoming stronger. He describes below not having a lot of muscle in comparison to his peers, but over the years he has worked his way up to being one of the strongest students in our weight lifting classroom. Additionally, he was weight lifting club president (2025-2026). His Story: The reason I started weight lifting was to stop being skinny. I was pretty weak, and I wanted to exercise more. In-spite of an initial fear of judgement from my peers, and difficulty being consistent, I found reasons to keep going. What stops fear of judgement, is realizing that people start from anywhere in their fitness journey, and I have noticed others persevere even if they started out weaker than I am. [for context, when James was beginning his fitness journey, he struggled to bench-press 65 lbs (10 lbs on each side, including the barbell) and shoulder-press 40 lbs (20 lbs each arm).]As for consistency, since I wasn’t consistent, I saw myself losing progress – this allowed me to understand my passion for weight lifting, and how it was capable of over-powering my internal thoughts to not exercise. Someone who is naturally really strong would probably have a different experience than me. I think I have developed a strong resilience and it has for sure made me a lot more confident because of where I started. Tips I would give to a person who is still starting out in their fitness journey, would be to not have fear of asking for help (ie. asking a person to spot you), being consistent, not doubting yourself no-matter what, and even if you can’t lift a certain amount of weight –just know that it will be possible eventually if you keep going. I also advise observing what others are doing in order to strategize how to get to their level of fitness. To combat soreness while continuing to work out, I also recommend working out areas where you are not sore, retain proper form, or if it is an area you still want to exercise, just go light on any weights/exercise for that area. When I first started doing push ups/pull ups (a challenge where James does as many push ups/pull ups he can in the span of an hour) I was motivated by another classmate. This meant doing what I thought I was capable of, and taking it to another level. It has benefitted me personally, because I was able to do more push ups, but what surprised me was the way that it helped my mental state as well. Being able to push myself to my limits really helped me recognize my strength, and was significantly more fulfilling than just doing a simple workout and quitting while knowing I could have pushed myself harder. I recommend this form of exercising for anyone who is interested in calisthenics at first, and secondarily weight lifting. Only do this if you aspire to challenge yourself, and keep in mind you are likely to have a few days of soreness. Kevin De La Cruz (Weight Training Club President 2024-2025), (Top-5 Class Leaderboard x3) Background: De La Cruz is 17 years old(2026) and began weight lifting around 3 years ago (12th grade currently). He was chosen for this project because of his status as weight lifting club president (2024-2025), and incredible consistency throughout the years. Additionally, he was consistently on the top-5 class leaderboard in 3 separate categories. His Story: I started weight lifting because I wanted to be strong. When I started working out, I couldn’t do a pull up, I could barely do a push up, and I was quite weak. I have gotten a lot stronger since I started working out, and it has brought me a lot more confidence. I have been weight lifting for roughly 3 years (17 currently) A muscle up. (A Muscle up is doing a pull up, but you are putting your body over the bar as well). I would like to do a one arm pull up (currently at a one arm pull up without assistance). At the start, in order to improve the frequency of my workouts, I started out with very small workouts. On days where I didn’t want to work out, I would make it very easy (ie. 5 push ups). Consistency has been 3x a week. The advice I would give to a person just starting out in weight lifting, would be lowering your expectations. Consistency matters more than the work/intensity you put into your workout. GianCarlo Torres (Top-5 Class Leaderboard) Background: Torres is 17-years-old (2026), and has been weight lifting for the past 8 months (12th grade currently). He was chosen for this project because of his incredible hard-work ethic in the classroom setting, and ability to push past his own self-limits. In-spite of the lack of free time in his personal life, he found it important to create opportunities for physical fit. His Story: I started weight lifting around 8 months ago, and I joined this class because I thought it would give me more stamina at work (in a restaurant), and because weight lifting with friends gives me more motivation to get stronger. One thing I am the most proud of, would be making it onto the top-five leaderboard for the class (3/5 for the lunge category ~120 lbs). A fitness level I want to get to is being able to run with a weighted plate, and having the consistency to maintain my strength. I want to master all aspects of weight lifting. What has helped me with consistency, is weight lifting with friends, because we are all working towards the same goals. Alana-Jain Feder (1/24 Females in Weight Training Class) Background: Feder is 17-years-old (2026), and has been weight lifting for the past 8 months (11th grade currently). She is participating in this section of the project as a way of sharing her experiences and reasons for weight lifting. As the only female in her class of 24, she has shown perseverance and has been given significant motivation to succeed because of this fact. As she learns from her male-counterparts, it has made her both a better/more consistent weight lifter, and overall more well-rounded person. Her Story: I started weight lifting roughly 8 months ago, and I joined because I thought it would make me a better massage therapist because of the incredible physical fitness levels needed in order to sustain the career. Having the condition to handle the strain of the profession would be very helpful. The challenge I am the most proud of overcoming would be my ability to do an overhead-press with 25lbs dumbbells, and for anytime I could keep up with the other students in my class. A fitness level I would love to get to would be doing an overhead-press with 30lbs, and to be able to do a pull-up. What has helped me with consistency, is remembering my reason ‘why’ for weight lifting, and the overall goals I am working towards. I am likely to feel better the rest of the day after a good workout, and it brings me so much fulfillment when I know I am doing my best regardless of if I made visual progress. The advice I would give to a person starting out in weight lifting, would be to not put so much pressure on yourself to be sore, and that diet/sleep have an effect on your performance too.

Click the right arrow to learn more ">" Davion White - B.A./M.A. in Physical Education, M.A. in Principalship - Athletic Trainer Experiances I was an advisory board member that taught at a summer school at Fremont College (now known as Fremont University). The importance of my position was taking students from Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and introducing them to various health and medical careers which I still do today. My students learned about rehabilitation, and various different careers within this field. Fremont University emphasizes rehabilitation through sports, and specialized massage. As for massage therapy, they offer healthcare online, as well as massage therapy and sports & rehabilitation as a certification. Massage Therapy seen through Sports Medicine As a response to your question about massage therapy being a sustainable career, my main concern would be various limitations related to hand cramping. If your hands aren't in condition to work, then you can’t pay the bills. You would need to protect your hands to ensure that they don’t get injured. Additionally, having massage alone is not a career that you are able to sustain a living. I know students who have gone into the career field, and you need to have a specific type of personality in order to be successful in the field. Since people don’t get massages every day, it is important to develop a client base as well. Teaching is my profession, but athletic training is my occupation. I align myself the most strongly with the sports medicine field. Advice Eventually, you are going to become an adult and the question I am asking is ‘How are you going to live on your own’? Salary, and how much you make is going to dictate your choices. I recommend that you pair massage therapy with something else (ie. pilates, stretch therapy). For instance, I am in the athletic training field, but I pair my career with teaching so I could afford a house. For information related to advancing your career in general, it is important to connect with the right people, and it is a great way to get involved. Greggory Elias - Doctor of Chiropractics - APEX Chiropractic Experience I was originally going to be a Doctor of Physical Therapy, but I found Chiropractics to be a better fit for me in the long run. I have been a Chiropractor for a few years, and what has helped me sustain my position was getting touch-ups (massage or chiropractic work) from my co-workers. I recommend when going into this line of work, that you try to get a massage. If you receive massages, you have a better understanding of how your touch is affecting your clients. Advice I am not a massage therapist, but there are many I know who have been working in the field for over 15 years. What I find important to keep in mind is that every massage therapist has their own distinct ‘touch’ that will resonate with people. You may have a more gentle contact, or naturally firm depending on the person. Keep in mind that there will always be a market for the type of service you want to provide people. The college you go to for massage therapy, or any form of higher education truly doesn’t matter. It depends on what you do with that degree, and how you use that knowledge to serve others. Are there other career choices that could make a lot more money, absolutely. But if those career paths don't suit you then the money won't be a reason for you to pursue them. Even in my field people have told me chiropractic isn't a good career or you're not a "real doctor" as a chiropractor. But I still pursued the field and I am very happy with my choice. That is a win in my book.

Click the right arrow to learn more ">" Diajii Smith - Kinesiology B.S. - Graduate of NHI Core Massage Program Advice Can I Live a Comfortable Life? I believe that a comfortable living could be made overtime even with difficult beginnings. This also depends on if you only do massage therapy [in a spa] or you work for a hospital with other certifications. Massage Therapist Keep in mind that massage therapy used to be considered an escort business (a luxury) and terms like ‘masseuse’ or ‘masseur’ are considered derogatory terms. When people refer to me as a masseuse, I encourage the use of ‘massage therapist’ instead because of it’s origins in the United States. How Do You Have Empathy For Others Without Being Emotionally Impacted? As massage therapists, we are likely to be really empathetic people. With that, we need to take care of our own mental health too. Giving too much empathy every day can be draining, so my advice would be to set an intention. This means that whatever emotions a person has on the table is listened to without a remark to try to make them feel better. It sounds difficult, but we are already helping them through our work – we cannot fill the role of a mental health therapist too. If a person gets emotional on the table, I let them cry and sit with themselves. What Does Your Work Day Look Like? In my situation, it is true to have more work as a massage therapist than in the school environment. My schedule is 5 days a week, working Monday-Friday for 6 hours. When working more days, it also teaches you to work with everyone – body types, skin textures, personalities ect. I currently work at a clinic, but my previous job was in a daycare environment. My clinical setting consists of working on an interdisciplinary team, which keeps people healthy holistically (interdisciplinary teams have massage therapists, physical therapists, doctors, etc assessing the various health needs of a person). Do You Have Health Insurance? I use Covered California for my health insurance, but when I first began my career as a massage therapist, I used Medi-Cal. Why Did You Become a Massage Therapist? I love helping others My ‘love language’ is physical contact How Do You Recommend Recovery As a Massage Therapist? Regular exercise Alone time Getting massages from other therapists Ice Stretching Ian Harvey - Psychology B.A. - Graduate of Florida School of Massage Advice Can You Have a Comfortable Life As a Massage Therapist? Yes, massage can be a fruitful and fulfilling career, IF you avoid the most common pitfalls. I'll start by talking about the pitfalls, and then I'll talk about success stories. Pitfall 1: A Poor-Quality Massage School The most common pitfall is going to a lackluster massage school and winding up underskilled and pre-burned out. Make your choice of massage school carefully. Look at reviews, ask about it on local message boards, see if anyone has badmouthed it on Reddit. Because there are some real stinkers out there: Places run by One Guy who shouldn't be a teacher at all (I had a dozen excellent teachers at my school!); places that push dubious techniques to the exclusion of others, leaving you with poor flow and few options if something doesn't work for a client; places that teach to the test to try to juice their mBLEX pass rates, all while leaving you without a cohesive picture of the body. Something to know is that I have met many students who came out of a lackluster program who still forged themselves into excellent massage therapists, and I think you would be more resilient to this problem than most. But if I could spare you a bad experience I would, because massage school is supposed to be amazing!! I wish I could somehow teleport you to the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville. It's my alma mater, and I'm still hearing glowing reviews two decades after I graduated. Pitfall 2: Working In an Unsustainable Environment Working at a burnout factory and mistaking it for "the massage business." I honestly think that this is what your loved ones are concerned about. If you work at a Massage Envy or Hand & Stone or any other big chain, they will treat you like a cog in a machine. 6 clients over 7 hours, mostly with 10 minutes (!) between each session. I barely had time to take a breath, it was always more more more, and each hour got me something like 20-30 dollars. At 30 hands-on hours per week, that's something like 40 grand per year, before taxes, and only if you can keep up that pace without injury or burnout. Some people thrive on it, and I found it to be very instructive (lots of interesting people with interesting bodies), but I'm glad I ragequit when I did. Chiropractors are somehow worse, often lowballing you even further, and filling your schedule with 15 minute rapid fire massages that maximize their insurance income. Yuck. Third Pitfall: A Lack of Boundaries In Self-Employment I described this at length in my book: Driving yourself crazy with your own business practices. Working 6 days per week, being available at all hours, lowballing yourself, and trying to satisfy every client rather than referring out when someone is a poor fit. Set yourself up for success, be a little difficult to book with (on purpose!), and pay yourself well for your own hard work. Working For Yourself Before I move on, let me outline the alternative: Working for yourself, or finding a clinic where you keep 70+% of the income. You might even start a collective yourself. Working for myself, I typically sublease from a massage therapist who already has a set up room, and I work for the three days a week they don't use. A set-up like this is pretty easy to find, because most massage therapists have some down days where their room could be rented out. Before going on hiatus, I paid $325/month for that setup. I charged $110 for a ninety minute session (which is me lowballing myself, you should know), and I try for four sessions per day. So, 12 sessions per week is 1,320 bucks, plus a couple hundred in tips, minus room rental, winds up at over 70k per year before taxes. I zeroed out a little extra for supplies, online scheduling, and advertising,. How am I able to make so much more while working so much less? All while giving myself half hour breaks, drinking my little cups of tea, and having time to stretch and reset between clients. It is a quiet, satisfying life that leaves lots of room for other activities, whether they be hobbies or other streams of income. Success Stories They are everywhere, but you're unlikely to find them if you just scroll a message board. On Reddit and such, you're going to see tons of people being driven to distress by their terrible boss or unworkable work environment. But when I teach a class, I'm surrounded by people who have their own room set up, often pursuing work and clientele that they find fulfilling and fascinating. Two weeks ago I met a student just out of massage school who was specializing in tech workers (she had transitioned from that environment), and she was having so much fun basically making a modality just for them. I've got a former student/current friend who specializes in artists and musicians, which has led to her going on the road with a few different very cool bands. In that same class a couple weeks back there was someone who specialized in grief work — not because she was a mental health counselor or other expert, but because she simply invited that kind of client, talked about the potential benefits of someone holding space for you, and then gave massages with no expectation of outcome. Oh, and there was a guy who worked with a bunch of basketball players/teams because he was the only one soothing their nervous system instead of beating them up! And then there's the people who just plug away at it like a job! Also good. You get your space, you do a little outreach, you wind up with 10 regular clients and 40 irregular clients, and that's literally enough to make a comfortable income. Maybe you specialize in prenatal clients, or athletes, or dental hygienists. Or maybe you're like me and you don't specialize at all. I always took anyone and everyone, because with the way I advertise for clients, they see exactly how I work (I post videos for clients too), and then they come in excited for that work. My people find me. Very comfy. Additional Information You might be right that charging 110 bucks for a 90 minute massage might be a bit much for a brand new massage therapist, but like... only a bit. The real value of a massage is that a caring and trained person is giving you their undivided attention for 60-90 minutes, which is just not something you can find anywhere else in this world. No matter the depth and breadth of their skillset, it's still a long period of skilled contact, and that sets the fee floor quite high, and justifiably so. My advice is to let your charitable work be a subset of your total work. You can absolutely have a lower rate for some of your clients, which might look like this: "I offer a limited number of discounted sessions every month for those undergoing financial hardship. If you'd be interested in information and updates about those sessions, you can sign up to be contacted here." Or you could discount certain occupations, such as nurse or student. But all I ask is that you don't discount your entire practice. An Alternative Perspective (Related To Setting Prices) Why? Because, to some people, 110 bucks ain't nothin. They fly first class, they have an in-home sauna, and they own a sailboat or two. For these people, it might even be off-putting to see low prices! And yeah, I kinda resent them, but I sure do like their money, and would be happy to take a bunch of it from them. In other words: For some people a discount would mean a lot, and for others, it would mean literally nothing. And when it comes to how much you charge, all I ask is that you think about your eventual retirement, and vacations, and leisure. If you're not charging enough to max out your IRA every year, you're borrowing from your future self in order to subsidize your current clients, many of whom don't need a subsidy! What Does Specializing Mean In This Career? Don't think of this as being the ultimate expert on a pain condition or a part of the body. Just think of it as, "what fascinates me?" For instance, I'm fascinated by the neck, and I say so in client-facing posts. Because I'm fascinated, I work more thoroughly, I spend more time there than 99% of massage therapists, and I have longer/better conversations with clients about this area. No one had to train me to specialize there, it just evolved from my own curiosity and experimentation. That said, other people who specialize do take every related training that they can find. I had a student from Alaska who is all about the jaw. She has incorporated my long slow drags up the sides of the face, but she also does intra-oral work, and thorough work around the SCMs and the floor of the mouth, etc. She's turned herself into a specialist with a broad base of experience and education. But! I consider myself a jaw specialist as well, even without a tenth of her training. Why? Because I get results. In other words, you get to decide when you're a specialist, and it can be something that develops over time. One day you'll be thinking to yourself, "man, why don't other massage therapists work with the hips in a side-lying position? It works so well!" BAM! You're a specialist. National Holistic Institute Staff Differences between a Spa and Clinical Settings (May vary depending on location and these were responses given by massage therapists): Spa: Some people may be more interested in relaxing rather than communication Environment is for pampering rather than assessing injuries ‘Birk Williams’ is a very high-quality spa environment with more options for clients but also requires extensive training for business consistency No requirement for a closed-door policy in some places Clinic: Used to treat injuries, surgery recovery, or therapeutic work rather than relaxation Some people work in an integrative team as a way of treating a person holistically Medical-related massage, utilized for hospitals settings Advice From Massage Therapists Practice self-massage (ie. purchase a foam-roller) Purchase “Trail Guide To The Body” (recommended in ‘Paid Resources’ section) Practice with friends and family and expose yourself to different body types and people. This also allows you to see the type of massage therapist you want to be, and it can also help in building your stamina. There are a significant amount of avenues to go down for massage therapy There is a 21% growth in massage therapy over the next 10 years There are different types of contact people prefer, so keep in mind that not everyone is going to like your practice. This doesn’t mean that you should try to appeal to people who don’t like it. Focus on building a community of people who enjoy your practice, and enforce your boundaries when needed (ie. if a person prefers a really deep pressure that you know would give you an injury. Exercising your boundaries will keep you safe, and allow the client to find a person capable of better suiting their needs.) What Are S.O.A.P. Notes? S: Subject O: Objective A: Abjective P: Plan This acronym is used within the massage therapy world to help track client’s condition, treatment, and progress over time. Massage therapists can use it to refine techniques or streamlining the process of handing off a client to further treatment opportunities. College Advice I had a friend who got their massage certification before getting their kinesiology major. While I was getting my B.S. in Kinesiology, my friend already had a job in the industry and it allowed them to gain a lot of experience. That route is also an option if you want to get experience, but balancing both could be difficult and massage therapy school could be quite fast-paced.

Click the right arrow to learn more ">" Jordan Howard - (B.S./M.S Kinesiology) - Weight Training Teacher Interest I have a B.S and M.S. degree in Kinesiology. I majored in Kinesiology because I knew that I wanted to do something related to health and fitness/exercise. Keep in mind that Kinesiology is a broad career path/major, so you also have a subtopic that you specialize in. My emphasis was on physical education. With my profession (teaching), I suggest going with a masters degree. At Cal State Long Beach specifically, kinesiology is all under one program, so I didn’t have to re-apply to get my masters degree. In terms of the science aspect of Kinesiology, there is exercise physiology. You could get a masters in that and work for a sports medicine team. Those are the main popular fields. I am not super familiar with the other subgenres, but common settings to work in would be health clinics, fitness centers, professional athletic teams to name a few. When I got into Cal State Long Beach, it was actually for physical therapy. I realized that I had to take a lot of science classes like pre-calculus, chemistry, physics for example. What deterred me away from the physical therapy, is the requirement of a PhD. From what I have seen, physical therapists generally make good money, but California is a very impacted profession for job outlook. You have to be incredibly good at what you do, and it can be difficult to get hired unless you have strong academics, and experience. Information about Massage Therapy For massage therapy however, you don’t need a degree for it. I will tell you that my friend’s wife is a massage therapist, and recently built a studio outside of their home so that she could run her own independent business. She keeps all the money she makes, because she isn’t under a company. Even better, many of her previous clients have followed her after changing locations. [Another reason for why I wanted to interview Mr. Howard is due his purchase of a massage gun for our weight lifting class. He taught us about the importance of getting massages, and it can strongly benefit us during our exercise journey. The following information is tips from him on why it is beneficial, and tips for how to use one.] Importance of Massage Guns, & Advice If you turn on any professional sports game, you are going to see any bench having a massage gun. It is for multiple reasons, such as being able to provide a deeper level of massage that the average athlete person may not have the time to attain mid-game. People use massage guns because of practicality as well. When you purchase one, it has various heads that can be used, and the box will help you determine the one that will work best for you in the moment. I use a massage gun in general when I am sore from working out. There is no indefinite way of understanding when to ‘stop’ because soreness may be intensified from too much stimulation, so I suggest also looking at YouTube videos to understand proper techniques. Thomas Gaucher - (B.S. Kinesiology) - P.E./Weight Training Teacher Experience I knew I wanted to become a kinesiology major because I was heavily involved in sports in high school and had a passion for exercise. I also knew that I did not want to sit behind a desk working a corporate job and that a kinesiology major could lead to job opportunities that would involve moving around and being active. What Classes Did You Take? The Kinesiology - exercise science major involved both math/physics and science courses. The first two years of my undergraduate were spent taking foundational classes such as calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry, and human biology/anatomy which can be quite tedious but definitely beneficial later down the road. Once you reach the upper division units or your last two years of undergrad you begin to take more major specific courses such as; exercise physiology, motor control and learning, applied biomechanics, and strength and conditioning. These courses are more hands-on and in my opinion more interesting as you really begin to dive into material that will be useful for future jobs. Overall, this major requires a lot of science and math which comes with the added lab classes, so be aware of that when you begin your degree. What Can You Do With a Kinesiology Degree? I had some classmates get their personal training license after completing their B.S in kinesiology and begin working as personal trainers in gyms. With a B.S in kinesiology I find that you are more restricted to entry level positions such as personal trainers and physical therapist aides. People typically use this major as a prerequisite to continue onto physical therapy school and obtain their doctorate. The ones that go on to obtain their M.S in kinesiology can go into becoming strength and conditioning coaches, teaching in higher ed., or becoming exercise physiologists, along with some other careers. I have typically seen success in kinesiology majors when they go on to achieve their physical therapist degree of continue on to get their M.S. How Do You Get Stronger? To maximize muscular strength, I would recommend heavy compound exercises paired with accessory work. The ideal rep range for muscular strength is between 3-6 reps at a high intensity or heavy weight. I personally like to structure my workouts by beginning with one or two heavy compound movements, for example, and barbell back squat, or Incline dumbbell press and then add in accessory exercises that support whatever muscle group(s) I am targeting that session. Making training sessions productive begins with your mindset when you enter the gym. You have to come into the gym ready to work out and to physically push yourself. Set a timer for your rest time in between sets and get to it right away instead of scrolling mindlessly on your phone. My workouts typically last about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes and I feel satisfied at the end. If people are not into weight training and rather just play a sport, that's fine. I think it's important that that individual finds a sport that they genuinely enjoy playing rather than focusing on how it might make them more physically fit. Obviously certain sports are going to have more of an impact on overall physical health. For example, the cardio aspect between playing basketball and golf is quite different however golf still requires people to move their bodies which is better than not moving at all! As long as someone finds something they enjoy and it requires them to move, I find it beneficial. In terms of sports that benefit massage therapists, I would argue that yoga could be beneficial in that setting. The various poses and positions that you are performing help keep flexibility and also strengthen smaller muscles to some degree. I don't think any sports necessarily hinders performance; however, I do believe that certain sports increase the likelihood of certain injuries which may be important to take into consideration. Pros and Cons of a Kinesiology Major Pros: A better understanding of how the human body works under certain conditions. You learn how to take care of your body (for the most part). You have the tools required to lead an active and healthy life. You have the knowledge to help others improve their quality of life. Cons: Prerequisite courses might be tedious and difficult for some. Job prospects with a B.S can be limited and entry level. Higher education is typically involved, M.S and Doctorate programs (can be viewed as a pro to some). Why Did You Choose Teaching After Your Degree? I chose to go into teaching because I was looking at job security, pay, and retirement benefits. However, with everything happening in the world right now and the current state of our government it is becoming difficult to find a full-time teaching position (womp womp). Despite these issues, I believe that educating the youth on how to properly take care of their bodies and providing them with the tools to do so is extremely important and that's the main reason that keeps me going in this field. Eduardo Nunes - (B.S. Kinesiology) - Soccer Coach/Teacher (LBCC) Interest What made me interested in kinesiology was through coaching. I’ve been a soccer coach since I was 16, and I immediately fell in love with it. That passion pushed me to want to be as knowledgeable and effective as possible. Pursuing a kinesiology degree gave me both the scientific understanding and the credibility to better support my athletes. I enjoyed learning how the body works and how different systems connect to movement, performance, and recovery. Some classes were definitely challenging, but they were also very rewarding because I could directly apply what I was learning to coaching and training. When I was getting my degree, I was working full time and took classes online via Cal Baptist University. Although it took time and a lot of work, I feel it was well worth it. Advice My advice for Kinesiology majors would be to take advantage of hands-on experiences as much as possible—internships, coaching, training, or working with athletes. The classroom knowledge is important, but applying it is where everything really starts to make sense. Also, don’t be afraid to explore different career paths within kinesiology. Injury Prevention for Massage Therapists If you want to lower your risk of injuries as a massage therapist, I always emphasize proper technique, consistency, and listening to your body. When injuries happen, I encourage my students to be patient, follow proper recovery protocols, and focus on what they can do during the process. Injuries are frustrating, but they can also be opportunities to learn more about the body and come back stronger.

Click the right arrow to learn more ">" ABMP (Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals) -There is a free membership but payment is required to access a majority of the features -Allows opportunities for people to afford supplies at their massage school -Provides an annual scholarship for students to support themselves, or their massage school -MBLEX preparation "Massage Is Weird" by Ian Harvey -Helpful for anyone regardless of massage therapy knowledge -Communicates how to find success regardless of your desired massage therapy career path -Simple and easy to understand, yet incredibly informative -15 years of massage therapy experience worth of information C.E. Workshop by Ian Harvey -Teaches massage therapy students about massage therapy (myofascial release, and swedish massage in particular) -Frequently occurring on the east-coast and mid-west of the United States -16 hours over the course of two days "Trail Guide to the Body" by Andrew Biel -Hands-on anatomy textbook -designed for students and professionals in massage therapy, physical therapy, sports training, and other bodywork modalities. -widely acclaimed textbook for learning surface anatomy, palpation, and musculoskeletal structures -Andrew Biel is a licensed massage practitioner and expert in palpatory anatomy. Anatomy Bootcamp (Free/Paid version) -Video lessons -High quality cadaver images -Useful for those overwhelmed by the volume of material, struggling to integrate information from textbooks and videos, or preparing for anatomy and physiology -Practice exams/recall questions across anatomy and physiology The History of Massage Therapy by Robert Noah Calvert -Written by the creator of Massage Magazine -Comprehensive idea of massage therapy spanning the globe -Covers the cross-cultural healing and sensual applications of massage, the development of massage technologies, and the emerging trends of massage in the twenty-first century.

Click the right arrow to learn more ">" Elizabeth Garcia-Hernandez - Admissions Representative for NHI What Does the National Holistic Institute Provide For Students? In the core program at National Holistic Institute, you will learn different topics other than just general massage techniques. Shiatsu or Swedish is the primary part of the program, but students are also educated on both western and eastern techniques to find what suits them best. In addition to this, business classes are also provided to help students gain clientele. The best advice I tell students for success at National Holistic Institute, would be that the effort you put into our programs will reflect what you get out of it. Programs Tiers of Education: 1) Massage Therapist/Health Educator (Core Program) 2) Advanced Neuromuscular Therapist/Health Educator 3) Associates of Applied Science Degree Requirements for NHI The only thing we require is being 18 years-old. There are a variety of people of different ages who are eager to make a career change or try something new. We are accepting and accommodating of anyone. Many people of the older generation have been concerned about their ability to provide care compared to younger students. Our staff advises, however, that it is never too late. Running a Business If you are going to run your own business, make sure you are putting yourself out there. This will give you a higher likelihood of clients finding their way to you. We have our own business classes to help students, but being outgoing and communicative is also important. Overall, your business practices should be built on a foundation of your desire to help others. Success Stories? This past week has been busy, due to a graduation for the students in our core program. During the graduation, one of the students mentioned an alumni of the school who had graduated 15 years prior. They had their own business, and charged $160 per massage, with several clients. It was so interesting to see the work we do come full circle, and furthers my belief that people can be successful in this field, and live comfortably. (This was just one example of several more success stories on the National Holistic website, and displayed on their social media platforms). National Holistic Institute - Emeryville California Learn more about National Holistic Institute through their website:

Going to an accredited massage school is a pathway towards having strong technique, job opportunities/experiences, among other skills that strengthen your career as a massage therapist. Keep in mind that these are only a FEW of several incredible massage schools in the United States. These options were provided in no particular order by recommendation or extensive research. It is advised to not judge a school based on 'prestigiousness' but if a school is the right fit for your needs (in addition to being accredited). Checking if a massage school is accredited Always confirm both national accreditation and state approval before enrolling, as one without the other may not meet licensure requirements. Requires significant clinical hours Check your state’s massage therapy board website (e.g., Washington DOH, California Board of Massage Therapy) Prepares students for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX) State/National level approval Click for the right arrow to learn more ">" Well-Known Accredited Massage Schools National Holistic Institute (California) “Help people have work they love” Has connections to locations in the Bay Area for holistic healthcare Known for strong job accessibility Western and Eastern massage techniques Student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 (1,134 students) 720‑hour massage therapy program with accommodations for working students Classes for massage Therapy, anatomy and physiology, pathology, maternity massage, and Infant massage training, marketing and business. Learn More: https://nhi.edu/ Florida School of Massage(Florida) “Enhance the quality of life through the vehicles of touch and awareness” The curriculum emphasizes both practical skills and theoretical knowledge Student-to-faculty ratio of 4:1 (25 students) Opportunities for students to practice in a student clinic. FSM also offers weekend workshops on specialized techniques like Thai massage Programs consist of Introduction to awareness-based massage & orientation, Massage Therapy, sports medicine, connective tissue therapy, polarity therapy, neuromuscular therapy, swedish massage Learn More: https://floridaschoolofmassage.com/ Northwestern Health Sciences University (Minnesota) Students gain real‑world experience through clinics, labs, and the Human Performance Center, where they work directly with athletes and patients Student‑to-faculty ratio of 4:1 and many classes under 20 students Programs in chiropractic, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, nutrition, and sports rehabilitation Western medicine with holistic and alternative therapies Learn More:https://www.nwhealth.edu/ Cortiva University (National) Diploma programs that can be completed in as little as 7.5 months Programs in massage therapy, esthetics, paramedical esthetics, makeup artistry, and cosmetology Provides job fairs, career seminars, resume building, mock interviews, and networking opportunities with over 2,800 industry employer Range of 16 – 22:1 faculty ratio across campus’ Dermalogica partnership school (access to industry skincare and products) ABMP membership upon graduation Learn More: https://www.cortiva.edu/ Pacific College of Health and Sciences (California) Student faculty ratio of 15:1 (885 students) Largest school of Chinese medicine in the United States Holistic health certificates and integrative medicine degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels Can obtain certifications in holistic nursing, and massage therapy College awarded 447 degrees across various programs, with a significant focus on Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Known for its strong connections to local wellness centers and healthcare partners Learn More: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/about/why Swedish Institute College of Health and Science (New York) Oldest currently operating massage therapy school in the U.S. Known for academic rigor and thorough preparation Western and Eastern massage theories and techniques, integrating anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, kinesiology, patient care, ethics, business practices, and professional development Offers 5-, 6-, or 8-semester schedules (20–32 months) with classes in mornings, afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays, so you can start working quickly Graduates earn an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) in Massage Therapy Learn More: https://www.swedishinstitute.edu/massage-therapy/ Sarasota School of Massage Therapy (Florida) COE-accredited, hands-on-focused massage therapy program 750-hour program covers anatomy, somatic bodywork, touch skills, and client care Provides practical labs, treatment rooms, an on-campus clinic, and a resource library, plus career advising, tutoring, and licensure prep Real-world practice over traditional lectures. Students spend 200+ hours in supervised clinical settings Learn More: https://sarasotaschoolofmassagetherapy.edu/ Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (Arizona) Student-to-faculty ratio 9:1 (1,176 students) Community-oriented approach to education, focusing on personal and spiritual growth alongside professional training Training in massage therapy, hypnotherapy, health and wellness coaching, spiritual coaching, herbal medicine 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with modalities like Polarity, Yoga Nidra, Sound Healing, and Breath Therapy Non-traditional, practitioner-led education in holistic wellness