What do you want to be when you grow up?
My favorite movie growing up was Free to Be, You and Me. I wanted to be a waitress. I wanted to be a fireman (I eventually did both!). Fast-forward a few years to high school advisors asking this very question, only for real this time. What did I want to do for the rest of my life? That’s a long time.
“What do you enjoy doing?” they’d ask. I liked to read; I was a three-sport Varsity athlete. What kind of job prospects were available to a volleyball-playing, powerlifting, running bookworm? The idea of pursuing an English major didn’t sound appealing – while I loved to read, I didn’t know what other career options would be available besides teaching, and I didn’t want to teach. When I thought of my ‘sport’ career options, the only thing that came to mind was gym teacher, and while physical education was one of my favorite classes, I didn’t appreciate how other students (the non-athletes, at least) treated the gym teachers in my high school. My high school athletic department had an Athletic Trainer; I spent some time with her myself having my shins wrapped up for track and spending time in the ice bath from time to time. This was definitely more intriguing. So off I went to the University of Minnesota to join their pre-Physical Therapy program. I even joined the rowing team, and LOVED it!
As my freshman year progressed, I didn’t love the pre-PT program. I was once again wondering if this was the right path for me. One day in one of my classes I learned about an emerging trend called Corporate Wellness – corporations with onsite fitness facilities that offer fitness classes, personal training, health coaching, etc. to their employees to help them maintain their health with the intent of employee retention and keeping health care premiums lower.
Gym Class for Adults!!! That was it – that was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
I finished my freshman year in Minnesota, and transferred to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to enroll in their Exercise Science/Kinesiology program. I loved my classes. I graduated, passed my American College of Sports Medicine certification and landed my dream internship with Kimberly-Clark – right up the street from my house. Then a full-time position opened up at another local corporation as the sole Fitness/Wellness Specialist to oversee the onsite facility and programs – and I was chosen for it. I had done it – I had an official career!
Adulting
I loved my job; I loved going to work every day. I was working out daily, with adults that loved coming to my fitness center. It was the best part of their day; they were working toward their health goals, they were alleviating stress. I created a personal schedule where my ‘work’ workouts complemented my personal activities – running, yoga, Pilates and Aerial.
I started to get employees that came to me for personal training post-injury and post-physical therapy. They ‘graduated’ from their physical therapy, but still weren’t 100%.
“I finished PT, but I don’t know what to do now.”
“I don’t want to pay my insurance deductible to go to my PT just to stretch.”
I started to get questions from employees about nagging pain.
“When I get done running, my knee hurts – what do you think that’s from?”
“I have pain in my neck when I sit at my desk all day – what can I do?”
I understood all of these things, and I had some solutions for them – including scheduling time with the onsite massage therapist that brought a chair in a few times a week. I began to get my own aches and pains. I got into the habit of booking a massage every 6 weeks to maintain my own health so I could comfortably continue my own workout regimen.
I started to text my massage therapist before calling my doctor for non-illnesses. I eventually added cash-based chiropractic and physical therapy (dry needling) to my maintenance list. It turns out that when you utilize these modalities through insurance, there are restrictions that dictate your care.
As employees continued to come to me with injury and pain-based questions, assuming this was within my scope of practice, I kept thinking “I wish my training extended to hands-on knowledge of the body.” I was gaining a great understanding from my own therapists about trigger points and referred pain. I ‘knew’ most of these people didn’t need to be seen by Orthopedists, they needed alternative corrective and preventative care. And so, I made those suggestions – I referred them off.
“Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and jump.”
I had been at my company for just over 14 years; had heard the term ‘restructuring’ more times than I could count on one hand. Then one day I walked into a routine, weekly one-on-one with my boss to find another person there. An HR person.
“Your position is being changed to a part-time position. You can accept this position, or you can receive a severance package.” I took the rest of the day off. I called my husband. I cried. (I drank some wine with a friend.) And I let my mind wander. What did I want to do with the second half of my career? Could I stay with my company, not knowing what the future would hold in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years? Or, was this my chance to pursue a different path?
I discussed my options and thoughts with my husband that night. We decided a massage career was a good long-term strategy. We could hold off our breaking ground for our house another 6-12 months. I accepted the severance package. I left the job I’d held since college; my colleagues and friends that attended my wedding, supported me through the death of my grandparents and my dog and celebrated the birth of my daughter – with the promise to let them all know when I opened my own massage therapy business.
Being a student as an older adult is refreshing. I’m learning the subject matter with the intention of understanding, comprehension and retention instead of just memorizing content to pass a test. My instructors are knowledgeable and passionate about this field and my part in it. My classmates are similar in age to me and have kids themselves. And, while it’s pretty early in our training, there’s already an obvious cohesiveness and feeling of support for each other within the group. We’re all taking a risk and starting over in a career we’re confident we’re going to love going to everyday. I’ve relied on my body my entire life. It’s allowed me to enjoy many types of activity. I find the human body fascinating!! ‘We’ have enormous control of our health, and society doesn’t fully realize the magnitude of this ability and responsibility.
They complain about aches and pains, about healthcare and prescription costs. The understanding that their health, and the cost associated, is in their hands is slowly starting to be realized. They’re going to start looking for alternative healthcare options, when applicable – and massage is one of the modalities that they will turn to.
As a student of massage therapy, with a vast background in biomechanics, physiology and kinesiology, I’m excited for the prospect of helping my future clients to alleviate their symptoms and to slowly educate them on their path to optimal health.
