Today we’d like to introduce you to Nichole Alarcon.
Hi Nichole, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a massage therapist for 8 years now, but this is not my first career. I was taking a break from working in the theatre industry and needed some time to figure out my next move. I began working at a massage franchise as a front desk associate, booking appointments and selling memberships. I was in awe and quite intrigued when people went into their session in pain and came out different, better. I created relationships with the massage therapists who worked there to gain more insight and decided that this might be something I could really love doing.
I enrolled in a local massage therapy school, while still working the front desk of the massage franchise. During my time in school, I learned so much and would ask questions and learn more techniques from the massage therapists I worked with. By the time I finished school, I was a manager of the massage franchise I worked at, and they offered me a position to work in their corporate office. I wouldn’t be a massage therapist in their location, but I would be training their franchisees and leadership teams how to operate their business, help with store openings across the country and create new protocols.
It was an amazing experience, but I still wasn’t quite doing what I initially set out to do. So on weekends and the evenings I was in town, I started my small mobile massage therapy practice. Over 5 years that practice grew and grew, and I grew less interested in my corporate position. I decided that it was time for me to go out on my own, which was insanely scary, because not only was I taking a major pay cut, but there was no guarantee that I would be able to keep a steady income, but I had drive and ambition and I knew I could work my butt off to make this dream a reality.
Three months into working on my own as a mobile massage therapist, I found out that I was expecting a sweet little boy. This was so exciting for me, but I knew it would come with challenges. I began searching for a massage therapist for myself because I knew in order for me to continue working through my pregnancy, self-care was going to be essential. It took me forever to find someone who wasn’t afraid to provide decent pressure or work on the areas that really needed attention.
It seemed like most massage therapists that I saw, didn’t have the confidence, or training, or both to provide a good therapeutic massage for me until I found someone who specialized in it. She was so amazing, and I attribute having her on my birth team allowed me to work up until my due date. This journey through my own pregnancy, coupled with massage showed me just how much birthing people need this work. I fell in love with working in the perinatal community and now specialize in prenatal and postpartum massage. It’s a beautiful season in-person life, and I’m truly honored to get to work with this demographic of clients and their families.
In addition to working with clients in their homes, I have an office that they can visit. I also offer something called Yomassage, which is a unique blend of breath, stretch, and massage in a small group setting. This is a wonderful class for someone who struggles with high stress, high anxiety, or as an introduction to massage. I’ll guide you through a meditation with breath work to help calm and relax the nervous system.
Then show you how to get into restorative stretch positions, which allow the muscle tissues to relax and release at a slower, more natural rate. While resting in these positions, I’ll provide a gentle massage to various parts of the body. It’s truly an incredible experience.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As most people have been, I was affected by the pandemic last year. I was mandated to shut down my massage practice for two months, and that was hard and scary, to say the least. I made the best of it, as much as I could offering online Yomassage classes and virtual assessments. Thankfully, I was able to keep my family afloat via grants from the state and my businesses savings. Then my family was hit once more with some hardship.
Last November my husband was diagnosed with something called Guillain Barre Syndrome and lost function in his hands and legs. Recovery from something like this can take anywhere from two months to 2 years. Though he is doing better, he still doesn’t have full function. So for over a year now, I have been the sole provider for my family, which can be difficult. But I think what everyone went through with the pandemic, allowed us to take a long hard look at our needs when it comes to self-care, whether that’s emotionally or physically.
I am more booked now than I ever have been before, and whether that has to do with my talent as a massage therapist or the effects of the pandemic, I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to help people and support my family doing something I love to do.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Massage Móvil is a mostly mobile massage therapy practice in San Antonio. We offer in-home massage or you can visit us at our office. We also offer Yomassage which is a relaxing blend of stretch, breath, mindfulness, and massage in a small group setting aimed to help alleviate stress and anxiety.
We have a passion for helping the families of San Antonio thrive through their wellness journey and can’t wait for the opportunity to work with you.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
It’s going to be hard, and awesome… sometimes at the same time. You will have seasons of highs and lows, and if you truly love what you are doing and providing for people, the strength that you gain and what you learn from those low moments will make the high moments that much more worth it.
And remember, when you work for yourself, you can find yourself working A LOT. This is why it’s important to set and stick to your boundaries. Whether that’s time you spend on a project or communicating with clients or the time you set to spend on yourself or with family. These boundaries are important to avoid burnout. To create that space for yourself, and stick to it as much as you can.
Pricing:
- 60 min/Mobile – $80
- 60 min/In Office – $70
- 60 min Yomassage Class – $35
Contact Info:
- Email: nichole@massagemovil.com
- Website: www.massagemovil.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massagemovil/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themassagemovil
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC7-QP3GEcm35-VeqNseKdgg
Image Credits
Brittany Reynosa of By Brooks & Co Photography
