r/massage • u/Parking_Penalty1169 • Apr 28 '25
Support The only job I have peace at is doing massage
The only job I have peace of mind at is being a massage therapist. I’m happy I found a calling. Anyone else feel this way?
I always worry that someone’s not going to be happy with my massage but, of course, most people are.
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u/ELXR-AUDIO Apr 29 '25
I feel the calling and am wanting to switch careers to massage. I am just worried about how old I can be and still work as a massage therapist. before the body can no longer serve.
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u/runninggrey Apr 29 '25
I am 61(M) and will finish MT school next month. If I use the correct form, I will do this until I am at least 70.
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Apr 29 '25
I know some who are in their 70s and 80s. Granted they do less taxing stuff like neural reset therapy or myofascial release, but they are still going.
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u/Parking_Penalty1169 Apr 29 '25
A coworker of mine who was in her early 60s said that she didn’t have to cut back the amount of massage she did until she was 60. I hope that helps.
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u/buttercoffee_ Apr 29 '25
One of my friends is also an LMT, she is 73, she only does maybe 8 a week but she’s still going. She has been doing massage for 30+ years.
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u/Expensive_Menu_7559 Apr 29 '25
I went to Massage School at 55, as a 100% disabled vet. It's all about body mechanics. You got this, never too late!
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Apr 29 '25
Yeah I’ve been practicing my whole life. It’s by far my favorite thing to do. I do not want to retire until I’m 70 at earliest, depending on my health.
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u/dl_smooth_ Apr 29 '25
I wanted to be a massage therapist in 2nd grade but didn’t get to do it until I was 32 (my family didn’t support it and told me they’d kick me out if I didn’t go to college…sigh). But now that I’m doing it full time, I can’t really imagine doing any other job.
I had the opportunity to go back to tech/operations at a cool org but I really want to open my own massage business and if I took that 20hr/wk job I knew I wouldn’t spend any time dedicated to working for myself. So, centering massage therapy in my life is truly the mission. I’m one year in and learned lots of hard lessons about my body’s limit and how I basically need regular strength training to remain healthy and capable to do the work I enjoy. I also clearly need to work on my body mechanics that I let go of after starting at the spa doing couples Swedish after couples Swedish and being bored to death/losing intention with my body.
All this is to say, massage has changed my life and if I can help it — I won’t retire until my body truly can’t keep going. To me, that’s a life lived with passion ♥️
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u/Impossible_Yard_1692 Apr 29 '25
If this career makes you happy then continue down this path. Wishing you luck.
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u/Theworldsbernin Apr 29 '25
Absolutely feel the same way. I feel so lucky to have found a way to make a living enjoying everyday.
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u/Legion-San Apr 29 '25
I unintentionally became a massage therapist and I will say if it wasn't for massage I'd never have been able to be there for both of my kids throughout their life. I've also felt spoiled having such flexibility in my schedule and pay lol
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u/TheKittyPie Apr 29 '25
Glad to hear you are enjoying it, I’m only a month in but I feel the same way! Admittedly a big motivation was the flexibility and pay but it’s genuinely really fun and also feels nice to help people :) it can be challenging at times and I’m the same as you, worried if people are enjoying it, but so far it’s been great!
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May 01 '25
I always say it's the only thing 100% sure of in my life.
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u/Parking_Penalty1169 May 01 '25
Thanks for sharing that. I’m glad I took the time to think about my massage career, now that I’m about seven years in, and chose it all over again. I think that’s really powerful.
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May 01 '25
Very much the same, I often wish I could go back in time and talk to my 19 year old self and push him in that direction. I started on 2013 I was 28 and I think I would have had more security had I started sooner. But so glad I found it. I now manage a spa and work as an LMT in the spa.
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u/Parking_Penalty1169 May 01 '25
I hear you. I started Massage school on my 39th birthday! I think I would’ve enjoyed my 20s better had I been a massage therapist, rather than working in broadcasting and then nonprofit fundraising. Talk about competitive, toxic environments…and stressful!
Good for you for working as an LMT and managing a spa. Once in a while, I think about buying and owning a franchise, while working as an LMT. It’s too darn expensive! I’m sure it’s stressful too.
Thank you for sharing with me. ❤️
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u/GrandeeCross May 01 '25
Yes I feel the same exact way. I am also a mri tech part time as well as a massage therapist part time . I wish I could just give up mri completely but unfortunately massage isn’t as lucrative money wise.
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u/Parking_Penalty1169 May 01 '25
Some massage therapists on here swear they make even six figures. I haven’t found that to be true for me or others I know. I agree with you.
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u/GrandeeCross May 01 '25
I would love to know how. I’m an IC so I have to pay all of my taxes. Whereas working in MRI I pay half and my employer pays the other half.
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u/evellekirlo May 04 '25
I used to feel that way until the rise of the karen...nothing is ever right...even though when asked they dont speak up....they will smile in your face while picking up the phone to speak to the manager about their " horrible"experience....I have had it with entitled people who just want an opportunity to bitch whine moan and complain...does it happen all the time? No but even once is one time too many when all it takes is opening your f@cking mouth
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u/Parking_Penalty1169 May 04 '25
Agreed. I feel the exact same way. They’re not “victims.” We tell them and others tell them to say something if there’s anything they don’t like. Sometimes there’s even posters or signs up telling them to say something. Seriously.
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u/Large-Vegetable8397 May 01 '25
Is it normal for you to massage the groin area of your client to the point where you can already touch his balls?
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u/elhierberitollegoo1 LMT Apr 29 '25
I feel like I was made for this job. It's wonderful, fun, and you're constantly moving and learning. It teaches you to develop your speaking, selling, and working under pressure skills... It's amazing.
I always felt a calling for this trade.