In this episode of the Greenfork Food for Thought podcast, host Stephen Zabala welcomes Melissa Rose, a massage therapist, mother, and musician, who shares her serendipitous path into massage therapy. Tune in as they explore topics like storing trauma in the body, the power of human touch, ecstatic dance, somatic practices, music as meditation, and tips for holistic wellness.

To connect with Melissa Rose, find her on social media, at centered-massage.com/melissa-rose/, or contact her at (518) 912-1567.

00:00 Welcome and introduction to Melissa Rose  

03:00 Melissa's journey into massage therapy from restaurant work  

06:00 Evolution of her massage career and becoming an independent contractor  

09:00 How the body stores emotions and big releases during sessions  

12:00 Introduction to ecstatic dance and its benefits  

15:00 Story of dancing through grief after a friend's passing  

18:00 Energy transference and profound client exchanges  

21:00 The sacredness of human touch and infant studies  

24:00 Differences between Swedish and medical/deep tissue massage  

27:00 Tips for pre- and post-massage preparation  

30:00 Hydration, running goals, and personal health reflections  

33:00 Future goals including herbology and Miss Rose Wellness  

36:00 Herbs, oils, and potions used in practice  

39:00 Interest in somatic therapy and EMDR  

42:00 Psychedelic therapy and ideas for a wellness center  

45:00 Music as therapy and kirtan jam band experiences  

48:00 Frequencies in music and emotional discernment  

51:00 Life stages, trauma responses, and video game analogies  

54:00 Death row meal: steak, sweet potato pie, and Hook-inspired feast  

57:00 Comfort food, nutrition's impact on mental health, and dairy issues  

59:00 How to find Melissa and closing thoughts