The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

"If a goal doesn't scare and excite you at the same time, then it's probably not worth doing and it's not an audacious goal" - Richard J Platt ... Richard J Platt is a retired massage therapist and clinical hypnotherapist. He is a published author and business success coach who currently lives in Vancouver BC. Welcome to 2020 friends! It is time to embark on your personal growth and development journey! Not sure how to get started? I am excited to introduce Richard who is passionate about helping massage therapists create audacious career goals and create a clearly defined plan to get there. In this episode, you will learn how it is easier than you may think to create the massage practice and lifestyle of your dreams. Check out this episode with Richard and please see his resources below to go even further! www.theradicalrmt.com

Nathan's Workday routine.  Why His library card was a worthwhile investment.  His advice to engage in learning beyond RMT related material and more... www.theradicalrmt.com

“I have this motto, that I don’t want to get to my grave and feel like I didn’t accomplish my dreams” - Livia Pellerin, RMT ... Livia is an RMT who works with the Rolf method and specifically helps CrossFit athletes improve their results with a combination of hands-on techniques and hands-on time teaching mobility Remex. She has a background as a professional dancer for 15 years, started massage therapy on the Quebec side, and then became an RMT in Ontario. In addition to her practice here in Ottawa, she offers online coaching. Please enjoy this conversation with Livia. www.theradicalrmt.com

“One of the best things about our scope (massage) is the optimization”- Nathan Walton, RMT ... Nathan has been an RMT since 2007. He is a husband and a father and he keeps busy while having fun with his massage practice, kettlebell training, fitness coaching, and teaching.  Nathan has completed over 60 obstacle course races since 2011. In the year 2017, he ran 22 races! In August of 2019 he participated in his 9th Tough Mudder and also volunteers at these events.  He has also participated in the Obstacle Course Race Championships 2017/2018 in his age category (40-44). He has great advice on the importance of balancing work with play and can apply the broader principles of skill across subjects whether it be as an RMT, a student, or in training. I really enjoyed my conversation with Nathan and I hope you do too! www.theradicalrmt.com

I worked really hard those first few years and it's all paid off now. - Chelsea St. Denis, RMT ... Chelsea has been an RMT since 2013 and she works from her home in Winchester Ontario. She is married with 2 children, Mcluvin the dog, and some hens. Her family has gone from city to country living and so has her practice. In this conversation we talk about patient loyalty, homesteading, juggling work and motherhood, as well as her preferred technique in indie head massage, and her work on the abdominals and TMJ. Please enjoy this episode with Chelsea St. Denis! www.theradicalrmt.com

"You just gotta listen to your heart, to what you feel you want to do to make you happy, and that's been the best thing I've learned in this adventure" - Andree-Anne Rusaw ... Andree-Anne Rusaw has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 2010 and struggled initially with the idea of being self-employed with unstable income and wondered how it would give her the life she envisioned. With guidance from her family she pursued her passion to work with animals and started a second career as a Registered vet tech. She is now a teacher with College Boreal and travels to volunteer her skills with animals in need. Andree-Anne also loves to travel for fun and has been to all 7 continents and she has visited a total of 25 countries before she has even turned 30. She has come full circle to realize that she has the dream job as a massage therapist with above average income potential, flexibility to take time off, and the freedom to alter her schedule. She is more open to live in the moment and see how life unfolds instead of setting specific timelines for her life goals. Please enjoy this episode with Andree Anne Rusaw! www.theradicalrmt.com

"I think the idea of building something that outlasts me is pretty cool" - Kathleen De Jesus-Gauthier ... Kathleen has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 2016 but, before she did her certification as an RMT, she started as an Athletic Therapist in 2004! Realizing that more insurance coverage was available for massage therapy she completed her massage therapy diploma in 2 years at Algonquin college while also working as an Athletic Therapist on and off the field, raising a family, AND playing varsity rugby. She has just opened her own clinic called Return to Play Therapy which is really about getting everyone back to whatever “play” means to them. She is committed to lifelong learning and wants to provide the most diverse experience for her clients. She knows from experience that if everyone works hard, they can achieve what they want in life! On her downtime she enjoys reading and spending time with her family and she is also working her hands creatively by trying woodcarving. She ultimately wants to create something of great quality that will outlast her- I feel that she will achieve this in many ways in her life and I hope she inspires you to do the same. Please enjoy this episode with Kathleen De Jesus-Gauthier! www.theradicalrmt.com

“In life, I generally try to live the best version of myself”- Helene Letourneau, RMT ... Helene Letourneau was a huge inspiration for this podcast and I am so excited for you to hear her story. Helene has been a registered massage therapist since 2013 and she is an example of making your dreams come true as she pursued the life of a professional figure skater with Disney on Ice. She skated with Disney on Ice for 3 years and traveled to 25 countries, meeting new and exciting people along the way. She shares how she made this dream a reality and how it eventually brought her to live in London, England working as an RMT. We discuss burnout, what to do, and what to watch out for. Helene shares the importance of doing what makes you happy each day as it will lead to your purpose and the importance of self-care. Helene is now back in her home of Ottawa, Ontario and is focusing on her next steps to manifest her dreams professionally and personally. Please enjoy this episode with Helene Letourneau. www.theradicalrmt.com

“I always say I became a massage therapist and a chiropractor because I’m a little bit hyperactive, but, I move a lot, I’m excitable, and this profession caters to that!”- Dr. Melanie Stewart ... Dr. Melanie Stewart @Ottawachiropracticstudio is a long time friend and has been a Chiropractor since 2009. She also became a Registered Massage Therapist in 2009. She simultaneously held both registrations until retiring from massage therapy in her tenth year of practice. She is now a full-time Chiropractor and discusses her decision to finally retire from massage and focus on her Chiropractic patients while knowing she could continue to collaborate with massage therapists and health care practitioners. In this episode we talk about... Transitioning from a multidisciplinary group practice to working solo The benefits of taking your work with you wherever you go The importance of working hard to be successful and Keeping up to date with your skills to help your clients get over plateaus. Please enjoy this episode with Dr. Melanie Stewart! www.theradicalrmt.com

"I think I’m just seen as a driven RMT who’s still pushing forward" - Kelly Salvador, RMT ... Kelly Salvador @kellysalvadorrmt has been a registered massage therapist since 2010 and she runs her own practice combining Massage, Functional Range Conditioning, and Graston Technique among a million other things. She is a passionate, hard-worker who avoids the BS of the profession and gives the best of her self by constantly expanding her training to help her clients get more out of their treatment on and off the table. In our conversation we talk about the blended worlds of being an entrepreneur and enjoying downtime. She shares her advice on building a brand and a niche that recognizes her expertise and adds value in the community through honesty and open communication. She believes in diversifying her skills to prolong her career and keeps her hungry in the profession. Please enjoy this episode with Kelly Salvador! www.theradicalrmt.com