Ben and Nate's Questions we ask massage therapists on the internet

We have all made mistakes, which is why they call it practice....Right? Ben and Nate get together to talk about the mistakes you shared with us, our own mistakes and what we learned from them

What's one rule you do not follow anymore in your practice?

Ben and Nateexplored several outdated rules including the 60-minute standard session time, the "no pain, no gain" approach with deep tissue work, the requirement to work on both sides of the body, and the practice of not allowing client contact with the therapist's body during treatment. The conversation included insights from a celebrity contributor Walt Fritz who shared that posture should not be considered an objective tool to determine dysfunction, and the hosts discussed how these industry rules have evolved over time as new research and clinical experience have emerged.

Do you prefer a quiet session or an interactive session? Ben and Nate discuss ways to set expectations on the type of session that works best for you and your client--We had a lot of great answers this week which means another great discussion

The average career of a massage therapist is 5-7 years.. Ben and Nate discussed how to beat those odds and have a long healthy career

Ben and Nate celebrated their 60th podcast episode by discussing the ongoing challenge of feeling competent in massage therapy despite continuous learning. They explored how adult learners approach continuing education classes, with some attending primarily to check credentials rather than genuinely learn. The hosts emphasized that learning in massage therapy is a lifelong process without a finish line, comparing it to music where understanding technique is different from creating musical expression. They concluded that the key is to embrace being a lifelong learner and recognize that "we do the best with what we know now, and when we know better, we'll do better."

In this episode, Ben and Nate talk about whether you should be doing your own taxes or hiring a professional, and what that decision actually costs you in time, stress, and money. They break down common mistakes therapists make, including not setting aside money, skipping quarterly payments, and misunderstanding deductions.

Ben shares how working with a tax professional and using QuickBooks changed the way he understands his business, while Nate reflects on what he’s learned after years of figuring it out on his own.

This episode is not about perfect systems. It is about awareness, responsibility, and making better decisions as your business grows.

If you have ever felt unsure about your taxes, this conversation will help you think about them differently.

In this episode, Ben and Nate unpack the conversations they have over and over again with clients, friends, and family about what they actually do.

From “Is it like chiropractic?” to trying to explain techniques that don’t fit into a simple category, they talk through why massage therapy can be so hard to describe and why those conversations matter more than we think.

They also share how they’ve learned to simplify their explanations, focus on outcomes, and help clients understand the “why” behind their work without overwhelming them.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain your work, or you’ve ever wondered what’s really happening during a session, this episode will give you a clearer way to think about it.

Because it’s not just massage, and that’s where things get interesting.

A massage therapist, an accountant and a janitor all walked into a bar; just kidding! It was the same person. How do you balance being the therapist and tending to all the aspects of running a business? Ben and Nate talk about this on episode 57!

In this episode, Ben and Nate tackle a question that sparked honest conversation online: Do male massage therapists need stricter boundaries to maintain professionalism and avoid misinterpretation?

Drawing from personal experience, they explore how perception, gender dynamics, and industry culture shape the way therapists set and enforce boundaries. From cold call clients versus referrals, to continuous consent, draping standards, and zero-tolerance policies, the discussion goes beyond headlines and into real-world practice.

They reflect on how boundaries evolve over time, how experience sharpens judgment, and why professionalism is not about gender but about clarity, communication, and consistency.

The conversation also weaves in teaching experiences, technology’s role in modern education, and how changing circumstances, including health and family responsibilities, can reshape professional decisions.

If you are a massage therapist navigating client expectations in today’s climate, this episode offers thoughtful insight without drama, just honest reflection from two seasoned practitioners.

Burnout with me oh yeah, burnout! Its a word thrown around in our industry a lot! It can happen to anyone thought...Ben and Nate talk about some of the reasons and how to avoid it.