Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Harvey.
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My start with massage therapy came in my early 20’s when I received my first massage. I was working in a collection ageny office (I was an admin, not a collector, please don’t hate me) and my boyfriends former roommate (who was a massage therapist) offered to give us both massages, and I very enthusiastically accepted. We chatted during the hour, about life, about massage, and I ended up asking him all the questions about massage school as I wasn’t super happy being an admin for 30 collectors. When my massage was over I was hooked, I already wanted to have another one. The next day I started contacting massage schools in the area and found one with an orientation coming up and quickly booked my spot. I attended, and graduated from, The Lauterstein-Conway massage school in 2003, completing Semesters 1 & 2, for a total of 550 classroom hours and a 50 hour hands-on internship. Over the years I’ve worked for different business, but ultimately decided I wanted to have a business of my own. I did both for several years, worked for someone while I built my practice member base…I even coached CrossFit somewhere in there for 6 1/2 years. Up until recently my private practice has been the side gig, it wasn’t how I earned a living, It’s really only been in the last few years that I’ve quit working for others and put significant effort into building my practice. This week I signed a lease for my first commercial space inside a thriving chiropractic office in New Braunfels, and I couldn’t be more excited!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
*insert chucke here* When I first started my practice, sure, things went smoothly because I had no idea what starting and building a business involved. I feel like “big deal” things rarely go smoothly though, and that’s ok, I think it helps you figure out if it’s worth it or not. I’m still learning, and the more I learn the more I realize I have more to learn. Marketing and advertising, networking, bookkeeping, building a website, online booking and payment, continuing education hours, DBA vs LLC, commercial rental space, do i need a loan…the list goes on. The biggest challenge for me though, is overcoming the little voice in my head telling me I can’t do this, that my practice won’t succeed. Thankfully I don’t hear that voice as often or as loud as I used to, but it’s still there.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a massage therapist, I’ve been licensed and working in Texas since February 2003. I specialize in therapeutic bodywork; deep tissue, sports massage, myofascial release, cupping, mobility, stretching. My clients love that I have very intuitive touch and can typically judge the amount pressure “perfect.y”, which feels really good to hear. I got into massage because I like helping prople; feel better, move better, recover faster, find relaxation easier, be more comfortable in their own bodies. I try to meet my clients where they are each time they come in. Maybe we need to focus on stress reduction and down regulating the nervous system before we can start the deep tissue work to address that nagging sciatica, or that old college shoulder injury. As far as what sets me apart, I listen. I’ve had so many massages from so many massage therapists and felt ilke they weren’t listening. About the amount of pressure, session focus and goals, etc., and it’s frustrating, it’s frustrating to trust your care with someone and they don’t take the time to even hear why you came to them.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Well, I’m not much of a reader. I like the idea but I just don’t take the time or pick the books out. I do have a few podcasts that make the rotation though, Joe Rogan is on the list, he had a good one with Brigham Buhler recently, Shows relating to healthcare, I was diagnosed with Hashitmoto’s last year so if i can find anything about that I’ll listen. I’m also in menopause (that’s been a super fun roller coaster) so anything around that topic as it affects different women totally differently. Crime Junkie is a good one for my morning walks, anything true crime catches my interest, podcast or otherwise. Crime Junkie recently replayed their episode covering the Yogurt Shop murders in Austin back in 1991, it brought up a lot of old memories from back in the day.
Pricing:
- $110/ hour for massage/bodywork
- $20 for cupping add-on
- $20 CBD oil add-on
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.centeredbodyworktx.com
- Instagram: @centeredbodyworktx
- Facebook: @centeredbodyworktx
