Born and raised in Southwestern Ohio, I moved to Tri-Cities area of Tennessee where I lived for 8 years and then moved
to North Carolina. I have 2 degrees in Engineering which I enjoyed, but was not fulfilled in performing. I was
laid off twice as an engineer - the 2nd time in 1998. In addition to those degrees I have a 2 year degree in Sign Language
Interpreting and another unrelated 2 year degree. I worked for many years with multiple handicapped Deaf adults as well
as the Autistic population.
I was always giving friends back rubs and foot massages and was told I was really good at it so in 1993 I went to Massage
School and learned Swedish Massage. I tried to get employed with several organizations but all were only wanting to
hire women so I stayed in the field of Sign Language. After being laid off as an engineer for the 2nd time in '98, I
tried numerous and varies sales positions until I decided to go into massage full time temporarily until I found another Engineering
position. This time I was self emplyed and realized then I had a gift of touch and nurturing and healing. I went
back to Massage School and got licensed, certified and Incorporated, and have been practicing massage ever since.
I strive to continue to learn more techniques to use on people and have found out that a large majority of "Massage Therapists"
do not have the same dedication to the craft as I have and that I was taught to have. It is sad to see the attitude
of many is to just get a person on the table - if indeed they even have a table - and to get the massage over as quick as
possible so they can collect their money. Since this is my sole employment I obviously do it to make a living, but massage
is npot about the money for me. Its about making a connection with the person on the table - spiritual, emotional...
I feel a bonding with the person on the table that enables me to minister to them on a soul level.
As a North Carolina LICENSED therapist I am required to take 25 hours of additional training every 2 years in order to
keep my license. My last license renewal I turned in almost 100 hours of additional training.
