Body Wisdom Massage School’s Blog

BWS: What was your background before choosing massage therapy as a career?
Tyler: I graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Advertising back in 2014 and ended up spending 8 or so years trying to connect brands to the masses. Feeling some massive burnout, I searched for alternatives. Receiving massage has always been my favorite form of touch, and I thought, “What if I could provide that?” After my first meeting with Body Wisdom, the universe has consistently pushed me in this direction, and I’ll continue to follow it until it tells me otherwise.

BWS: Any favorite classes? Teachers?
Tyler: Jillian Peet and Matt Johnson have been incredibly instrumental in my knowledge, training, touch, and perception, encapsulating all things massage, life, and beyond. I owe a great deal to each of these instructors and encourage anyone to seek out any of the courses they are associated with. Better yet, book time with them on their table!

Honorable Mentions—Though some of the elective classes are shorter, they often leave a lasting impact. I would like to mention Dianna Berry and Sadie Hefel for providing a safe place to be creative and encouraging growth in those around them. The short time I’ve learned from these two (among numerous others at Body Wisdom) has been uplifting and fruitful.

BWS: On a different note, do you have any interesting hobbies or passions?
Tyler: I’m an avid golfer and have been a musician for about 20 years. I love writing and producing new music for my band or other artists.

BWS: What track have you been pursuing, and why did you choose that/those track/s?
Tyler: Myofascial and Orthopedic, with some therapeutic and deep tissue techniques interwoven.  I like to provide a nurturing touch, while still being able to identify and feel how a client’s body is reacting to stressors.

BWS: Can you describe your vision for your massage therapy practice?
Tyler: Simply put, it is a place to grow, learn, and heal.

BWS: What are the core values that will define your practice?
Tyler: Active Listening, Strong Comprehensive Goals, Clear Communication

BWS: How do you plan to differentiate your practice from others in your area?
Tyler: I envision my practice as a place where people look forward to visiting, growing, and learning together.

BWS: What types of massage techniques or specialties do you want to focus on in your practice?
Tyler: Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, Therapeutic

BWS: How do you envision building relationships with your clients?
Tyler: Through honest and fun rapport.

BWS: What kind of atmosphere do you want to create in your practice?
Tyler: Safe, fun, healing, calming.

BWS: How do you plan to incorporate continuing education and professional development into your career?
Tyler: I have so many classes that have piqued my interest offered at Body Wisdom, hearing how my peers loved their experience, that will keep me coming back to Body Wisdom for some of my continuing education. I also want to explore John F. Barnes’ courses and other myofascial-focused therapists.

BWS: What are your goals for the first year of your practice?
Tyler: In the first year of my practice, my main goals are to stay healthy and care for myself while exploring my abilities and techniques.

BWS: How do you see your practice evolving over the next five years?
Tyler: I’d love to see myself continuing to help people accomplish their goals through massage and bodywork. As I gain practice and further instruction in certain modalities, I’m excited to see what skills and knowledge I’ll acquire in five years.

BWS: How would you structure your appointments and breaks throughout the day?
Tyler: Typically, I schedule at least 30 minutes between sessions. Sometimes, an hour is nice after particularly demanding or longer sessions.

BWS: What specific outcomes would you hope to achieve for your clients during their sessions?
Tyler: Pain relief, longevity, reaching shared goals.

BWS: How would you ensure each client leaves feeling satisfied and valued?
Tyler: Checking in with clients on expectations before the bodywork begins has been crucial to finding the sweet spot for some people. Suppose a client’s neck is really bothering them. In that case, I want them to feel relief locally and instill some longer-lasting ideals about longevity and reasons to work outside of that localized area.

BWS: What kind of interactions do you hope to have with your clients?
Tyler: Fun, educational, and therapeutic.

BWS: How do you plan to balance your workload to maintain your own well-being and avoid burnout?
Tyler: This industry is filled with unique and skilled individuals, so I plan on expanding my network of peers who practice all kinds of bodywork modalities. Receiving consistent massages within this network will be crucial to adding new ideas and perspectives to my toolbox.

BWS: What feedback would you hope to receive from clients at the end of the day?
Tyler: How do they feel? Did they learn anything about themselves during the session or have any questions before the next visit?

BWS: How would you wind down and reflect on a successful day at your practice?
Tyler: Walks with my dog, Marv, are always in order! Reflecting on SOAP notes from the day helps me create a story for the client, how they communicated their original requests, and maybe where that led to work being done during the session. I like reflecting on each session, and scheduling time between sessions helps with processing immensely!

BWS: Based on your experience as a student, what advice would you give to someone considering a career in massage?
Tyler: Anyone who loves massage, bodywork, or any modality related to massage therapy would be a great addition to the network. Inquisitive minds and lifelong learners are incredible assets to this industry.