The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

"If you want to feel really good about yourself, then open your own business"- Emily Burns, RMT ... Emily started her career path in massage therapy after deciding that her undergrad and future in psychology would mostly be research-based when what she really wanted to do was work with people. She has recently transitioned from an independent contractor to working for herself in her own space and she loves that “[she] gets to do what [she] wants and nobody cares.” From her undergrad days she was interested in brain injuries, and head and neck trauma which is what she enjoys treating most in her practice. After she experienced her own concussion in 2016 and works on her own recovery, she has more tools and confidence to help her own clients who also have concussions. She is a wine nerd and is pursuing courses which may lead to a second career as a sommelier. Emily is teaching in the massage therapy program and wants her students to be good massage therapists, not just have a goal to pass the exams. ​We talk about negotiating as a woman, touch on applying minimalism when making a career decision and also how women gravitate towards caring professions and it seems expected that we should give more without compensation. I hope you tune in to this episode and enjoy learning more! www.theradicalrmt.com

"I think the best massage therapists are problem solvers" - Emily Burns, RMT ... Emily started her career path in massage therapy after deciding that her undergrad and future in psychology would mostly be research based when what she really wanted to do was work with people. She has recently transitioned from independent contractor to working for herself in her own space and she loves that “[she] gets to do what [she] wants and nobody cares.” From her undergrad days she was interested in brain injuries, and head and neck trauma which is what she enjoys treating most in her practice. After she experienced her own concussion in 2016 and works on her own recovery, she has more tools and confidence to help her own clients who also have concussions. She is a wine nerd and is pursuing courses which may lead to a second career as a sommelier. Emily is teaching in the massage therapy program and wants her students to be good massage therapists, not just have a goal to pass the exams. ​We talk about negotiating as a woman, touch on applying minimalism when making a career decision and also how women gravitate towards caring professions and it seems expected that we should give more without compensation. I hope you tune in to this episode and enjoy learning more! www.theradicalrmt.com

"I'm more let's get in the trenches and get our hands dirty and do the best job we can to get people's lives turned around!" - Scott Grisewood, RMT ... Scott Grisewood has been a Registered Massage Therapist since 1994. He was one of the first practitioners to introduce Shockwave Therapy in Canada and developed his own treatment approach using this new technology on his massage clients. Now, he travels around the world treating hundreds of professional and amateur athletes with his "portable human performance lab." This includes a few key pieces of equipment that give him precise assessment results that help in his treatments and it provides key information to the athlete, coach, and trainer. ​Scott owns Shockwave Therapy Centre in Barrie, Ontario, Canada and enjoys living close to his family which now includes some grandchildren. The technology that Scott uses is fascinating and I hope you enjoy hearing about it maybe for your own practice, or because you can help direct a patient/client to someone using this same technology to help them breakthrough an injury or to reach the next level in training. It is also a nice reminder of how fortunate we are as massage therapists to apply our knowledge and skills in ways that are outside the box.  Also, check out Part II of this episode where Scott covers more about the technologies and why we should embrace them as evidence based practitioners! www.theradicalrmt.com

"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