Massage therapy has been in the headlines again, and unfortunately not always for the right reasons. In this episode of Making Self Care, I start by unpacking some of the latest news stories involving massage, from Prince Andrew’s alleged taxpayer-funded massage appointments to the Deshaun Watson lawsuits that brought national attention to misconduct within massage settings. These situations continue to reinforce harmful stereotypes about our profession, and as a licensed massage therapist and advocate for the field, I share my perspective on why these narratives matter and what they mean for therapists who work hard to uphold professionalism and ethical care. I also highlight some positive policy news, including efforts to establish statewide massage licensure in Minnesota, which is an important step toward strengthening massage therapy’s role in healthcare.

After the news, we shift into one of my favorite topics in bodywork: fascia. I explain why I believe massage therapists are often working with the fascial system more than muscles themselves, and why this connective tissue network plays such a powerful role in movement, tension, and healing. I break down what fascia is, how it functions as a living communication system throughout the body, and why fascial-focused work can produce such profound changes for clients. I also share a recent treatment experience in my practice that reminded me just how incredible fascial work can be and why it continues to fascinate me after years of practicing massage.

Today’s Sponsor: Hafen Beauty

This episode is sponsored by Hafen Beauty, my intentional skincare company designed for people who care about what they put on their bodies. Hafen Beauty uses natural ingredients like cold-pressed grapeseed oil and locally sourced Washington tallow to support hydrated, balanced skin in every season. These are the same products I use daily and in my massage practice. In a world where hormones are imbalanced and ingredient lists are getting longer and harder to understand, simple and nourishing skincare matters.

Visit www.hafenbeauty.com and subscribe to the email list to receive 20% off your first order. Massage therapists can also find a special link in the episode notes for Hafen massage oils made specifically for bodywork practices.

Want the juicy details of Mistakes made by a Massage Therapist? You can do that at 52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist on Substack. This is my 10th year being a licensed massage therapists and I’m giving it all away.

Massage therapy is back in the headlines, and not for the reasons we would hope. In this episode, I discuss how the Epstein files have once again pulled the word “massage” into conversations about abuse, trafficking, and criminal cover-ups, and what that means for legitimate Licensed Massage Therapists.

I also share concerns about a newly formed Washington Massage Education Alliance that currently lacks transparency, and why visibility and accountability matter in our profession.

Finally, we talk business. Cash pay pricing, insurance realities, professional boundaries in the treatment room, and my personal perspective on tipping as a healthcare provider.

If you are a massage therapist, this episode will challenge you. If you receive massage, it may give you a new perspective on the professionalism behind the work.

Massage therapy is legitimate healthcare. It is time we act like it.

Sponsor:

Hafen Beauty - Intentional Skincare for an Intentional Life

This episode is sponsored by Hafen Beauty, my organic, small batch skincare line made with simple, intentional ingredients like grass fed tallow and cold pressed oils. Designed for therapists and wellness minded individuals who care about what goes on their skin, Hafen Beauty supports the same values I advocate for in the treatment room: integrity, simplicity, and real results. You can learn more at hafenbeauty.com.

Massage Therapists can grab their free Hafen Samples at https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts

Join us on Substack to Learn the 52 Mistkaes of a Massage Therapists - https://chelseadesouzanenno.substack.com/

In this episode, I share a personal decision I made early in my massage therapy career: I stopped trading sessions with other therapists. Trading is common in our profession, and it’s not wrong — I’ve traded with ranchers, accountants, juice makers, and other providers. But when it came to trading with other massage therapists, I realized it was costing me more than it was helping me.

I talk about scheduling stress, blurred boundaries, professionalism, and the mental load of “owing” sessions. I also share how paying for massage instead of trading changed the way I receive bodywork — and brought more peace to my practice.

We’ll also discuss something more controversial: the uniqueness of your flow. Your touch, your routine, your personality — they are yours. And I believe they are worth protecting and valuing.

If you’re a massage therapist navigating trades, boundaries, ethics, or simply trying to build a sustainable career, this conversation is for you.

Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios

🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty

Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives.

Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms.

Shop:

https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Social Media:

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty

Facebook:

https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty

Website:

https://hafenbeauty.com

Have your question answered on the podcast - email [email protected] with the title podcast in the subject line.

In this episode, I share what’s happening right now in massage therapy — nationwide and here in Washington State — from recent license suspensions tied to felony charges, to human trafficking enforcement discussions, interstate licensure compact updates, and new laws targeting illicit massage businesses.

I also break down Washington House Bill 1093 (Medicaid coverage for massage), substitute bills affecting insurance clawbacks and claim timelines, and ongoing rulemaking under RCW 18.108 and WAC 246-830.

As someone who has practiced for 10 years and has chosen not to take insurance, I share my personal opinion on why I believe many LMTs should reconsider billing insurance. While healthcare recognition is important, the red tape, reimbursement risks, and loss of clinical autonomy are real concerns for small business owners.

This is a policy-heavy update — but from my perspective as a Washington LMT who cares about protecting our profession and helping therapists build stable, ethical practices.

Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios

🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty

Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives.

Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms.

Shop:

https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Social Media:

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty

Facebook:

https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty

Website:

https://hafenbeauty.com

Have your question answered on the podcast - email [email protected] with the title podcast in the subject line.

In this episode, I’m speaking directly to massage therapists about something that has been deeply bothering me: social media trends, provocative content in the massage space, and how it impacts the credibility of our profession.

As a Licensed Massage Therapist in Washington State, I practice under the Department of Health as a healthcare provider, and that comes with a level of accountability, ethics, documentation, and professional boundaries that are often missing from what we see online. From HSA/FSA practices and HIPAA compliance to client care and therapeutic intention, true massage therapy is far more than what viral videos portray.

We also dive into the bigger conversations happening in the industry right now — illicit businesses posing as massage establishments, public perception, regulation debates like fingerprinting, and how these issues affect legitimate therapists.

Plus, I share my honest thoughts on AI, massage robots, and the growing tension between technology and human touch. Can massage ever be replaced by machines? Or is the human connection, emotional response, and therapeutic presence something technology simply cannot replicate?

This episode is a reflective and professional discussion on:

• ​Social media ethics in massage therapy
• ​Healthcare vs service-based perceptions of massage
• ​Advocacy and professional boundaries
• ​AI and robots in the massage industry
• ​The rising value of human touch in a tech-driven world

Whether you are a Licensed Massage Therapist, bodyworker, or wellness seeker who values ethical and therapeutic care, this conversation will help you think more critically about where the profession is headed — and why real human connection still matters in healthcare.

Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios

🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty

Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives.

Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms.

Shop:

https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Social Media:

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty

Facebook:

https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty

Website:

https://hafenbeauty.com

Have your question answered on the podcast - email [email protected] with the title podcast in the subject line.

Why do so many massage therapists quit — marketing campaigns, new programs, social media, even entire business models?

In this episode of Making Self Care, Chelsea DeSouza, Licensed Massage Therapist and LMT advocate, shares one of her biggest entrepreneurial mistakes: quitting. From stopping marketing campaigns after five days… to pivoting too quickly… to watching AI disrupt nutrition and protocol-based services — this is a raw look at what really happens behind the scenes of massage therapy entrepreneurship.

If you’re an LMT, massage therapist business owner, or wellness entrepreneur struggling with marketing, sustainability, or pivoting in the age of AI, this episode is for you.

Topics:

• ​Massage therapy marketing mistakes
• ​Why LMTs pivot too fast
• ​Fear of social media as a massage therapist
• ​Entrepreneurship burnout
• ​AI and its impact on wellness businesses
• ​How to build sustainable massage therapy offers

Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios

🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty

Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives.

Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms.

Shop:

https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Social Media:

Instagram:

https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty

Facebook:

https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty

Website:

https://hafenbeauty.com

Have your question answered on the podcast - email [email protected] with the title podcast in the subject line.

I’ve been a Licensed Massage Therapist in Washington State for 10 years, and lately I’ve been asking myself — what’s missing in our profession?

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal perspective on massage therapy in Washington. We talk about being classified as healthcare providers, the Board of Massage, legislation season, insurance vs. cash practices, professional associations like AMTA and WSMTA, and why so few LMTs actually engage in advocacy.

This isn’t a policy breakdown — it’s a real conversation about community, competition, isolation in private practice, and whether we are truly showing up for our profession.

If you’re a Washington LMT (or thinking about becoming one), this episode is for you.

If this conversation resonates with you, go read “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” on Substack — where I share the real lessons I’ve learned building a clinic over the past 10 years so you don’t have to learn them the hard way.

Host Bio:

Chelsea DeSouza is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Washington State, certified holistic health coach, and trained in Traditional Naturopathy. She is the founder of Hafen Health and creator of The Hafen Way. With over 10 years in practice, Chelsea focuses on stress physiology, female hormones, gut health, and sustainable self-care. She is passionate about supporting massage therapists, educating the public on practical wellness, and helping individuals build health foundations that last.

Podcast Sponsor – Hafen Beauty Skincare:

This podcast is sponsored by Hafen Beauty, a non-toxic skincare line made with minimal, purposeful ingredients. Hafen Beauty features grass-fed, grass-finished tallow sourced from ethical ranchers, along with organic oils designed to support healthy, resilient skin. Products are small-batch, refill-friendly, and created for individuals who value simplicity and sustainability in their skincare routine.

Links:

Hafen Beauty: https://www.hafenbeauty.com

Substack – The Hafen Way: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno

Hafen Beauty for LMTS: https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_sid=17422e4a8&_ss=r

Welcome back to Making Self-Care! I’m your host, Chelsea De Souza, and today we’re diving into a powerful connection between gut health and intuition. As women, we often say, “I just had a gut feeling,” and more often than not, we’re right. But can we truly trust our gut if our health is imbalanced?

In this episode, we explore how stress, diet, and lifestyle impact our microbiome and intuition. I share my personal journey of postpartum anxiety, burnout, and the realization that poor gut health can distort our internal guidance system. We discuss how God speaks through our bodies, how stress can cloud our judgment, and how healing our gut can restore clarity and confidence in our decisions.

Join me as I outline the Five Dailies—simple yet transformative habits that will help you reclaim your health, energy, and trust in yourself. Plus, I share my sister’s incredible story of overcoming cancer through unwavering commitment to wellness.

If you’re ready to take charge of your health in 2025, this episode is for you. Tune in and let’s embark on the journey to true wellness together!

🔹 Join my Private Care Membership: Get accountability, expert guidance, and exclusive discounts. www.hafenhealth.com

🔹 Schedule a Consultation: Let’s chat about your health goals.

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Visit HafenHealth.com to get started!

Donate to Invest in someone’s wellness: www.venmo.com/u/chelsea-nenno

code:4143

#GutHealth #TrustYourIntuition #WomensWellness #MakingSelfCare

Stress is inevitable, but chronic stress doesn’t have to control our lives. In this episode, I dive into what really happens when stress hits—from the hormones involved (hello, cortisol!) to the ways it impacts our bodies, minds, and hearts. We’ll explore how men and women experience stress differently, common everyday stressors, and why the typical solutions might not be enough.

Then, I’ll share my favorite holistic strategies for lowering cortisol and finding real relief, covering mental, spiritual, physical, and even cellular approaches. Whether it’s practical tips you can use right now, a deep dive into how adaptogens like Ashwagandha work, or a simple stress inventory to figure out where your tension is coming from, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Join me to learn how to calm your body, reset your mind, and start nurturing a healthier, more balanced stress response—just in time for the holiday season. And don’t forget to register for our upcoming class on Reducing Cortisol and Balancing Stress for even more support!

For naturopathic care www.hafenhealth.com

Register for our upcoming class: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/classes/165bd491-e085-4931-a357-8413322e7573/80QVDR8MA1W1Z/classes

keywords:

cycle phases, work dynamics, decision fatigue, self-care, team collaboration, energy management, leadership, women empowerment, productivity, emotional intelligence

Summary:

In this conversation, Chelsea discusses the significance of understanding the different phases of the menstrual cycle and how they can impact work dynamics, energy levels, and decision-making. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when to rest, brainstorm, take action, and reflect, aligning these phases with seasonal metaphors. The discussion also touches on the role of male colleagues in this cycle synchronization and how it can enhance workplace productivity. Additionally, Chelsea and Paige share insights on managing decision fatigue as a leader and the importance of self-care and collaboration within teams.

takeaways

• Red phase is a time for rest and minimal planning.
• Yellow phase allows for brainstorming but no action.
• Green phase is the action phase where plans are executed.
• Blue phase focuses on task-oriented work and reflection.
• It's important to give yourself grace during low energy phases.
• The 'parking lot' method helps manage ideas and tasks.
• Men can match the energy of women in the workplace.
• Effective leadership involves coaching others to take ownership.
• Self-care is not just personal; it involves team dynamics.
• Organizing work around cycle phases can enhance productivity.

• The Role of Men in Cycle Awareness
• Navigating Work with Cycle Awareness

• "Red is your rest week."
• "Yellow is spring, brainstorming phase."
• "Green is summer, action phase."

SoundBitesChapters

00:00 Introduction

00:26 Understanding the Red Phase

02:23 Exploring the Yellow Phase

03:49Taking Action in the Green Phase

04:16 Being Task-Oriented in the Blue Phase

09:02 Utilizing the Parking Lot

28:48 Reducing Decision Fatigue and Stress

34:59 Conclusion