04/07/2026
Why did you choose to become a massage therapist? 💆♀️💆♂️
This is a question I get asked from time to time. It's quite a long story but worth sharing in the hope to inspire our younger generations. At a time where the pressures of success is intense to do well in exams etc. Sometimes our life experiences inspires your career path.
My mum was ill most of my childhood. I was around 6 years old when she took unwell. Constantly in and out hospital and constantly in pain. She had Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. Dad, my sister and I cared for her over those 8-9 years. Helping her in and out baths, cleaning, shopping, helping prepare meals and assisting her with daily needs when she had bad days. Unfortunately she lost her battle and passed away in 2000 at the age of 40. I was 15 years old.
In her last few years, when the pain had really got ahold of her. She had a mobile massage therapist come to the house. Once a month, I saw my mum relaxed, calm and not suffering to the same extent she had been. Seeing someone who live in constant pain finally get some relief really stuck with me.
I finished my standard grades at the point mum passed away. Surprisingly I did really well under the circumstances. Then went on to my 5th year of school. Life had really became manic, stressful and home life was tough. My dad, who had cared for mum so many years, now couldn't cope without her. His drinking and behaviour was difficult to deal with. I struggled in my 5th year. Did manage to scrape by with 1 or 2 highers (can't really remember) but the results weren't what I was aiming for. I knew school life wasn't for me anymore.
I decided to look up college courses. I came across HNC in Complementary Therapies at James Watt College in Greenock. I knew I wanted to do something that would help other's. Went for the interview and managed to secure a space, even though the head of department was reluctant and tried her best to steer me in another direction. She believed I was too young at 17 to really master a difficult course. But what she didn't know, was that I was dealing with difficulties all my life that brought me to take on this challenge.
I worked seriously hard studying, sometimes not passing assessments first time and also working 30 hours a week at The Frame Shop. Life at home was still difficult and I did doubt myself at times but ultimately I did it...I PASSED.
The journey I took changed. My boss saw how hard I worked, how determined I was and capable. Years of seeing what life had thrown my way. He knew I could take on another challenge. I owned my own Picture framing business for 7 years.
Starting a family brought me back to being a massage therapist. Working my own hours and helping other's again was the next chapter.
So this is where the journey started. From pain...came passion. From doubt ...came determination. From seeing suffering ...came success.
Our stories, life experiences are what can change something negative into a positive. ✨️🫶💗💆♀️💆♂️
