My journey to massage therapy began while I was working at Cedar Opportunities Cooperative (COCO Café) alongside individuals with developmental disabilities.
During my time there I realized I needed to work in a profession to help people from all walks of life. It took me time to find how I would do this, but working with the body and being a compassionate healthcare practitioner was my answer.
I took a weekend course on basics of massage therapy, was hooked, and knew this was my pathway to help people.
Professional skills
Being able to actively listen is such an important skill in this field. To know how to ask the questions that make a person go back in their history.
All things that happen to us in life (past experiences with other HCP, trauma, emotional events, birth events) keep score in our bodies. I take in all aspects of injury to paint the big picture.
I also have a very loud and contagious laugh. Prepare yourself!
Career highlights
I take pride in creating a positive healing environment, so being able to give people a safe place to let the nervous system settle into a calm state is very gratifying.
Working with adults with disabilities has brought it "full circle" for me. One of my highlights is volunteering at the Cycle of Life Bike tour where I worked with athletes who were raising money for hospice care. Relieving some quad cramps and giving much needed massage to those cyclist is something I look back on fondly.
Core values
I value empowerment, long-term health and wellness, and preventative care. My vision is to give people the tools to live to their fullest potential, not to just treat a person for a hour and see them the following month.
I strive to give exercises to get them functioning better. Home-care stretching and hydrotherapy recommendations so injuries can be avoided. Advice on how to set up their work stations or better sleeping positions. I often joke that I try my hardest to work myself out of a job!
Overcoming challenges
I have lived with tendinitis for 10 years from my past profession as a chef. I've had to be my own healthcare practitioner, do the home-care, and get help from my colleagues to get better and stronger so I can help others get better.
By understanding the challenges and pain associated with tendinitis, as well as the effort and determination to manage the condition and improve my health, I think I am in a good position to emphasize with others who may be experiencing similar issues. This experience also helps me to understand how injuries and issues can affect people psychologically.
Hobbies and interests
I am a lover of the outdoors (as most Vancouver Islanders are!), so getting out everyday is a write of passage. Rain or shine... or slush.
Hiking and kayaking are my favourite ways to find my happy place. Getting outside with my family and my two dogs is my piece of heaven.
I also have lots of chickens that feed my family and keep me entertained. Growing our own food has become a passion since 2020.
Rewarding moments
It brings me great joy seeing a patient walk out of the room with the face cradle imprint on their face, looking like they have had the weight of the world lifted from their shoulders.
When a patient comes back to you for their next visit saying how much better they feel, their smile is worth it all!
Educational background
- I attended Vancouver Island University's Culinary Arts program while I was still in high school, and worked in various establishments until 2016.
- I completed the Registered Massage Therapy program at the West Coast College in Victoria.
- I have completed weekend courses on deep fascial release, somatic response, IASTM therapy, and exercise rehabilitation.
- I hope to do more courses on corrective rehab in muscular imbalances as this has sparked an interest in me. It's hit home for me how important resistance training is after coming back to work after the birth of my first child!