Graduating from massage school is exciting—but for many therapists, it's also where the biggest surprises begin.

In this conversation, Amy Bradley Radford sits down with educator, school owner, business owner, and industry leader Shelle Hagen to explore what really happens after graduation and why technical skill alone isn't enough to build a thriving massage career.

Together they discuss the gap between expectations and reality, why so many therapists struggle to build momentum, how confidence affects business success, and why changing your thinking is often the first step toward changing your results.

Whether you're a brand-new graduate or a seasoned therapist looking to grow, this episode will challenge the way you think about success, business ownership, mentorship, customer service, and lifelong learning.

In this episode you'll discover:

If you've ever wondered why your career isn't growing the way you hoped, this conversation may help you see your next step in a completely different way.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction 

01:00 Meet Shelle Hagen

05:35 The Gap Between Graduation and Reality

12:25 Expectations vs. Reality

17:00 What Work Ethic Really Means

22:00 Working Your Schedule

25:00 Why Waiting Doesn't Build a Business

31:20 Customer Service Still Matters

36:45 Coaching & Mentorship

44:00 Confidence Builds Successful Therapists

52:40 What Successful Therapists Have in Common

58:00 Changing the Way You Think

1:04:20 CoreStones

1:07:30 Massage Marketplace

1:13:15 Final Thoughts

OFFERS MENTIONED:

www.corestonemassage.com 

www.massagemp.com (Product code for Corestone discount on this site)

MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD:

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Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching

Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/

Amy Bradley Radford YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amybradleyradford8414

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For years, people have asked me one question: "Amy, what exactly is Pain Patterns & Solutions?"

I finally realized I couldn't answer that by teaching techniques. Before I could explain what PPS is, I needed to explain why it exists.

In this first episode of a new monthly PPS series, I'm taking you back to the beginning of my journey—back to the questions that changed the way I see the body, the clients who challenged everything I thought I knew, and the observations that eventually became Pain Patterns & Solutions.

This isn't a lesson in scar tissue or mapping. It's an invitation to begin seeing the body differently.

If you've ever wondered why pain keeps returning, why some clients respond beautifully while others don't, or why your hands sometimes tell you something your education can't quite explain, this conversation is for you.

My hope isn't that you leave understanding PPS.

My hope is that you leave asking better questions.

In this episode you'll learn:

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome

00:37 Why I'm finally telling the story of PPS

07:32 What is Pain Patterns & Solutions?

08:10 The Magic Eye story: learning to see differently

09:17 Drawing the air around the chair: negative space and observation

12:17 Why PPS works over different tissue than traditional massage

14:36 Curiosity, learning to see, and the "I see it" moment

17:30 The rhomboid and IT band client that changed everything

24:00 The journey from observations to mapping

30:55 The body is communicating—learning a different conversation

33:14 The continuing education class that changed my career

38:10 The question that changed everything: Why does pain come back?

40:28 Physics, balance, and the client who taught me about force

45:13 What's coming next on YouTube

47:36 PPS, business, and universal principles

49:31 Closing thoughts

Amy Bradley Radford YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@amybradleyradford8414

Do you want to work with Amy? Fill out this coaching Application: https://forms.gle/8fX1mLawrRTwZ7Xs6

MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD:

Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching

Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/

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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

Align Essential Oils: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/align-oils

When we graduate from massage school, we expect our career to grow as our skills improve. But what many of us discover is that every stage of our career asks something different of us.

In this deeply personal episode, I share the lessons I wish someone had taught me during those first few years when I was trying to make sense of massage therapy, business, confidence, professionalism, and what it truly means to build a successful career.

You'll hear the stories behind some of the biggest turning points in my own journey—from questioning my value as a new therapist to rebuilding after COVID, discovering the power of curiosity, and realizing that success isn't about arriving at a destination. It's about continuing to grow into the professional you're meant to become.

Whether you work in a spa, a medical practice, a private office, or you're just beginning your career, I hope this conversation encourages you to stop seeing confusion as failure and begin seeing it as an invitation to think differently.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why every stage of your career requires a different way of thinking

• The difference between learning techniques and becoming a professional

• How curiosity can become one of your greatest career assets

• Why burnout and outgrowing your current career aren't always the same thing

• How to build a career that reflects who you're becoming—not just what you've already accomplished

If you've ever wondered whether you're on the right path, this episode is for you.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction 

00:38 – Why Graduation Is Only the Beginning

08:00 – Learning the Craft: Confidence Comes One Client at a Time

12:25 – From Giving Massages to Creating Experiences

17:15 – Professionalism Is an Experience, Not a Credential

18:00 – Curiosity Changed My Career

22:00 – Burnout… or Have You Outgrown Your Career?

26:35 – The Story of Losing My Business During COVID

31:10 – Purpose Doesn't Disappear—The Delivery System Changes

33:20 – How COVID Completely Changed PPS

40:15 – Success Isn't a Destination

42:45 – Building a Career That Lasts

45:10 – Better Questions Lead to Better Thinking

47:20 – Why I Continue Teaching Massage Therapists

49:30 – Next Week: The Beginning of PPS

OFFERS: 

The Ultimate Coaching Package on sale 

(Reg. $1700) Now $997 until August 15th 2026

Finding Your Value PDF  

MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD:

Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching

Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/

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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

When I graduated from massage school, I believed becoming a better therapist meant learning more techniques.

For years I chased continuing education, certifications, and better answers—hoping the next class would finally give me the confidence I was looking for.

But somewhere along the way, I realized the biggest lesson of my career wasn't another technique.

It was learning how to think differently.

In this deeply personal episode, I share the experiences that shaped my career, from recovering after a serious car accident to treating clients inside a physical therapy clinic, owning massage schools, developing Pain Patterns & Solutions, coaching massage therapists, and discovering what it really means to care professionally without carrying the weight of every client home with you.

This episode also marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Massage Business Success Podcast as we move to a weekly format. Over the next year, I'll be sharing the lessons I've learned over more than thirty years in this profession to help bridge the gap between graduating from massage school and becoming the therapist you dreamed of becoming.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Reflection Question:

What am I trying to solve with another class that might actually require a different way of thinking?

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Welcome to the Massage Business Success Podcast

01:34 - Massage is more than techniques

03:28 - The gap between school and real-world confidence

06:17 - Amy’s early career in physical therapy

09:03 - Caring deeply without overburdening yourself

11:50 - Professional boundaries vs. professional caring 1

5:07 - The real challenge after school: confidence

20:15 - Moving from techniques to principles

26:04 - Personal authenticity and professionalism

29:25 - Massage as kindness, respect, and genuine care

33:22 - Connecting purpose with professional practice

36:12 - Weekly podcast announcement

36:42 - Closing thoughts

Offers Mentioned: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/class-bundle-page

Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9

Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

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Most massage therapists think a full schedule comes from better marketing, more social media, learning another technique, or somehow working harder than everyone else.

But after more than 30 years as a massage therapist, educator, business coach, and practice owner, I've discovered something very different.

The therapists who stay busy year after year aren't necessarily the most talented, the most experienced, or the most visible online. They simply understand a business principle that most massage therapists were never taught.

In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the three business systems that quietly drive every successful massage practice and explain why so many therapists feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what to do next.

We'll explore:

Whether you're trying to attract more clients, improve retention, raise your prices, or simply create a business that feels more stable and sustainable, this episode will help you see your practice through a completely different lens.

Because the secret to a full schedule isn't working harder.

It's understanding the systems that make growth happen.

TIMESTAMPS

Offers Mentioned: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/class-bundle-page

Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9

Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

As therapists, many of us spend years collecting techniques, certifications, and treatment approaches, hoping the next tool will finally provide the answers we're looking for.

In this episode, I sit down with physiotherapist, strength coach, and founder of the Advanced Movement Therapist (AMT) Certification, Tom Swales, for a fascinating conversation about assessment, critical thinking, recovery, and what it really takes to create meaningful change for our clients.

Tom shares his incredible journey of surviving a life-threatening battle with sepsis, how that experience transformed his perspective on health and resilience, and why he believes clinicians need to stop chasing pain and start understanding the bigger picture.

What I loved about this conversation is that we explore many of the same questions therapists ask every day: How do we know our treatment is working? Why do some clients improve quickly while others stay stuck? How do we move beyond symptom chasing and create lasting results?

Whether you're a massage therapist, manual therapist, or healthcare professional, this episode will challenge you to think differently about pain, assessment, and the role we play in helping people heal.

In This Episode We Discuss: 

Tom is also offering a free training on his website:

8 Neurohacks for Rapid Client Results – How to Reduce Pain and Get Clients Moving Faster

Learn more at:
https://www.amtcertified.ca/training

Im still waiting to be your business coach! Reach out to me here:

ABR Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9

Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/

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Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

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Most massage therapists are tracking their schedule, their clients, and how exhausted they feel at the end of the week… but not their numbers. And if you’re trying to build a business that actually supports you long term, eventually you have to stop guessing financially.

In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Hayden, founder of Kickstart Accounting, to talk about the emotional side of money, why so many therapists avoid their numbers, and how understanding your finances can completely change the way you run your business.

This conversation goes far beyond bookkeeping. We talk about burnout, money mindset, paying yourself consistently, separating personal and business expenses, building a support team, and why your numbers are actually one of the most powerful tools you have as a business owner.

Danielle shares practical guidance on:

One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how grounded and human it is. There’s no shame here, no pressure to “have it all figured out.” Just honest conversation about learning how to build a business that truly supports your life.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the financial side of your business, this episode will help you look at your numbers in a completely different way.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Financial Awareness for Therapists
02:41 Understanding the Importance of Numbers in Business
05:23 Overcoming Money Mindset Challenges
08:08 The Path to a Six-Figure Income
10:59 Emotional Decision-Making in Business
13:45 Transforming Perspectives on Business Finances
15:43 The Role of Data in Business Decisions
20:37 The Importance of Revenue Growth and Investment
23:41 Understanding Profit and Tax Responsibilities
29:18 Building Your Money Team for Success
32:25 Transitioning from LLC to Corporation
35:14 The Value of Paying Yourself
37:14 Making Informed Business Decisions
39:31 Support and Services from Kickstart Accounting

Offers Mentioned: Feel free to book a call at kickstartaccountinginc.com/book (and mention my name!) or visit their website to learn more about how they can support your business financials. 

Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9

Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

Most massage therapists don’t have a tax problem… they have a system problem.

In this episode, Amy Bradley Radford breaks down why tax season feels so overwhelming—and why it has very little to do with taxes themselves. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling in March, missing deductions, unsure where your money went, or feeling like your business isn’t actually supporting you the way it should, this conversation will shift how you see everything.

This isn’t about complicated accounting or learning tax forms. It’s about understanding how your daily habits, your spending patterns, and your money flow inside your business are either working for you… or quietly working against you.

Amy walks through the foundational systems that make your business easier to track, how and when money actually becomes taxable, and why waiting until April takes away your ability to make real financial decisions. She also dives into overlooked areas like cash tracking and mileage, and how small shifts in behavior can significantly change your financial clarity and outcomes.

This episode is about learning how to see your business clearly—so you can make decisions earlier, reduce stress, and start building a business that actually supports your life long-term.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00  Introduction to Sustainable Business Practices
02:34  Taking Control of Your Business Finances
07:41  Understanding Your Business Relationship with Money
12:54  The Importance of Tracking Your Business Numbers
19:32  Establishing Clear Financial Boundaries
24:12  Organizing Business Expenses for Tax Deductions
25:38  Understanding Taxable Income and Business Flow
27:34  Balancing Business Expenses and Personal Income
29:54  The Importance of Tracking Income and Expenses
32:45  The Role of Cash in Business Management
35:42  The Impact of Cash Handling on Business Finances
38:38  Tracking Mileage for Business Efficiency
43:55  Reinforcing Good Financial Habits
46:45  Creating a Healthy Business-Personal Income Relationship

Coaching Request Form: Click Here!

Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/

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If you are a massage therapist struggling with schedule management, client communication, or keeping your calendar full, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening behind the scenes.

In this episode of the Massage Business Success Podcast, Amy breaks down one of the most overlooked skills in running a successful massage practice: managing your schedule as a professional service provider.

After a frustrating personal experience trying to find a hairstylist who wouldn’t return calls or texts, Amy connects this common issue directly to what many clients experience when trying to book with massage therapists.

This episode dives into why massage therapists often struggle with returning calls, responding to text messages, and managing appointment requests—especially as their schedule becomes full and burnout begins to set in.

You’ll learn how poor communication can quietly lead to lost clients, reduced client retention, and inconsistent income—and what to do instead.

Amy also explains how online booking systems work well when you are building your massage business, but can potentially begin to lose effectiveness as your client base grows and your schedule becomes more relationship-driven.

This episode will help you:

If you want to grow a stable massage therapy business, improve client retention, and maintain consistent cash flow, learning how to manage your schedule effectively is essential.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the story of finding my new hair stylist 

01:07 The Importance of Client Communication

08:41 Understanding the Dual Roles of Service Providers

16:07 The Hidden Work of Schedule Management

21:56 Creating Effective Communication Systems

28:06 Professional vs. Personal Communication Habits

30:26 Navigating Professional Communication

39:59 The Role of Online Booking Systems

45:45 Working Your Schedule Effectively

56:29 The Importance of Self-Management in Scheduling

MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD:

NEW! Massage Practice Health Snapshot - A 5-minute survey to help YOU figure out where you are at in your business! https://forms.gle/CUP4Rzx46rgEU9kZA

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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/

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Most massage therapists have a menu. Very few are actually using it to build their business.

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most overlooked business tools in the massage industry: your menu. Not as a laminated sheet of services. Not as a list of everything you’ve ever learned. But as a system that quietly trains your clients how to spend money with you.

If you’ve been stuck at $65, $75, or $85 per session…
If you’ve added cupping, hot stones, aromatherapy, stretching, and still feel capped…
If your menu has 17 options and you secretly know people only book two of them…

This episode is for you!

We talk about:

Your menu is either working for you… or quietly working against you.

Let’s fix it.

TIMESTAMPS

OFFERS MENTIONED:

MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: