Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Stone-Wightman.
Hi Sherry, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Bodies By Sher LLC was founded solely by myself in 1988.
I had been employed previously by two different large companies. I also attended college and various schools and trainings prior to myself starting my own company.
Even though I enjoyed and did very well as an employee, I was seeking something else. I have always been fascinated by people. How they represent themselves personally, physically, their mannerisms and expression. I took a large leap and decided to start my own business. My thoughts have always been; “What is the worst thing than can happen? I would not know until I tried. I was on a journey to be “Who I was intended to be”. I felt assured the journey I started was the right one and I dealt with decisions and changes in the process.
I started my own small style gym with various types of cardiovascular and weight and core training equipment. Fitness was the first focus to get people to move and have fun with it. Decide on realistic goals and help them achieve them. We trained and ran races together. Learned how to cycle safely, increase endurance and strength. The focus was to help various types of people enhancing their quality of life and well-being. My clients really enjoy the process of growth and accomplishing their goals. For many, it’s having less pain and discovering more productive ways of movement. Very rewarding for myself as well to
observe how they respond and enjoy their personal growth.
I initially had mainly male clients due to the income bracket of men verses women. Then I started getting an influx of mainly women pre and post child bearing. They seemed to be motivated by me, being a single mother of two girls and making time for myself and maintaining my health and fitness levels. Every week I gave everyone a new recipe to encourage healthier eating.
I quickly had a waiting list of several months and saw nine clients daily. I had running camps for beginners to those wanting to run their first half (13.1 miles) or a full marathon (26.2 miles). During this time I came across limitations with clients so that led me to various soft tissue studies.
I acquired my Texas Massage License in 1997 and specialized in sports injuries, various accidental injuries, post surgeries and congenital situations.
The Texas Massage License was a great start but not enough to try to repair some of the physical situations I was coming across. I completed other certifications as well which I still use today.
I heard about The Dr. Ida Rolf Institute as a more advanced body work, A Paradigm to attempt to really fix and help people heal on so many levels. That intrigued me and seemed to be what I was looking for. It was a pricey venture but I sensed it would be worth it all. My daughters have a driven personality as well so they understood my desire to advance in my therapy skills and personal growth. My eldest was attending SMU in Dallas, which she funded herself. She currently is in administration for a private school. My youngest was a senior in High school at the time, with her future goals in place. She went on to college and pursued her Nursing Degree and is the director of Nursing for a local company.
It took about two years to complete the training going back and forth for the various semesters to acquire my Rolfing Certification. The Ida Rolf Institute was still in Boulder, Colorado at that time. I was fortunate enough to train in all of the school locations as it grew. They all had a special type of healing energy upon walking in. Any online training can never duplicate what you learn in this type of field. The next phase took about eight additional years to complete. I took more continuing education classes in various parts of the United States, to then apply for training for my Advanced License. Then back to the Institute in Boulder to complete that program.
I graduated from the Ida Rolf Institute on May 5, 2005 before I turned the age of 50. It appeared to me half of my life’s experiences were setting me up for my second half of life. I have been Rolfing now for over 21 years. I still use other certificates and trainings in my work as well, as things come up. My longtime background in fitness is very valuable for most of my clients.
Every day I receive phone calls, emails and referrals for the desire to move on with their physical mishaps when nothing else has helped. .
I feel very blessed to meet so many lovely people. They seek help when nothing else they tried has helped to the capacity they desire. Rolfing addresses the relationship of the entire body to gravity, freedom of movement and increased joint mobility. The goal being better functionality, enhancing balance and freedom in the entire body. Lift and adaptability when there is too much compression and restriction. Some clients have spinal curvatures that create pain and compensatory overuse and discomfort in various parts of our body. Very often the symptom is far removed from the original problem. That surprises many especially after they feel the affect on the symptom and complaint they came in with and I never put my hands on that area. No guarantees as there are none in life. Many clients get homework as well until their next session. No one leaves without feeling a much better sense of well being, increased movement and less pain. More lively. Every client books the next session while they are in my treatment room. Big changes happen even on the very first session. I learn something new every day from each and every person.
I hope I never retire until I can no longer perform what is necessary. My husband is very patient with me and my frequent calls and emails. We have two lovely daughters, five grandchildren and son-in-laws. Grandpups and grandcats as well. Since we were personally without a pet my husband and I decided to get a puppy that keeps us all busy. The saying, “It takes a village” is a very true statement.
I do firmly believe there is a higher existence in this vast universe. Rolfing is not a technique to learn in a few minutes or in a few years. None of us are ever done learning and experiencing. It’s a felt sense that no one can really explain unless they have the work performed on them. Every person and every session is different, based on what is needed for that client’s experience. The work is hands-on and energetic, so it’s laboring for both myself and the client. Rolfing is quite magical in what it can change in a physical body and thought and perception as well.
Since Rolfing is an International Certification there are few of us in the world. It takes dedication to complete the studies required. I lease a private office in San Antonio, Texas but my clients travel from various places for a treatment.
Thank you very much for reading how I got to this phase of my life. I am so thankful for my family, friends and experiences to share the process of whatever life offerings brings.
Sher
***Hope this is what you are looking for. ***Thank you, n Sher is my nick name and business name.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I didnt address that it was a journey of time, endurance and studies.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Advanced Rolfer
I have other certifications:.
Texas Massage License
Counseling Hypnotherapist
Personal Trainer
Advanced Personal Trainer from the Cooper Institute in Dallas
Lymphatic Therapist
Neuromuscular Therapist
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Great Ethics
Honesty and integrity
Client confidentiality
High listening, attention and sensory skills
Pricing:
- Prefer not to share. I am very reasonable
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bodiesbysher.com
