The Massage and Spa Success Podcast

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In this episode, Gael sits down with master aesthetician, award-winning spa business coach, and Retail Sales Catalyst Tazeem Jamal to explore why clients say yes, why they say no, and how service providers can communicate in a way that feels natural, ethical, and aligned. With more than 30 years in the industry, Tazeem has coached estheticians and spa owners around the world to build profitable, confident, client-centered businesses.

Whether you’re a massage therapist, esthetician, or wellness practitioner, this conversation reframes retail and rebooking as extensions of care—not sales scripts or pressure tactics. If you’ve ever felt awkward talking about home care, struggled to rebook clients, or wished you felt more confident recommending what they genuinely need, this episode is a must-listen.

Tazeem is an Amazon bestselling co-author, international speaker, industry influencer, and marketing mentor. Known for her signature approach “Yes-ology,” she teaches healers how to communicate recommendations with clarity, service, and heart.

The origin of “Yes-ology” and why the word yes matters

Why practitioners struggle with retail, rebooking, and recommendations

How to seed service and product conversations naturally

Shifting from “selling” to “serving”

Building trust, clarity, and desire (the three pillars of Yes-ology)

Using scripts without sounding scripted

• Rebooking and retail are forms of client care—not pressure or sales

• Clients want solutions, not guesswork; recommendations build trust

• “No” isn’t personal; it often means “not right now”

• Seeding throughout the visit makes the final recommendation effortless

• You can be a healer and financially strong—they go hand in hand

💆🏻‍♀️ Tazeem’s coaching programs for estheticians and spa professionals 👉 https://payhip.com/TJSpaBizCoach 

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!

In this episode, Gael sits down with Laura Ford, longtime educator, publisher, and community builder, for a powerful conversation about why connection is essential in the massage profession and how therapists can create it for themselves. With nearly three decades in the field and experience as a CE provider, program director, clinic owner, and publisher of PERG, Laura brings both wisdom and lived experience to the topic of professional belonging.

From the loneliness of early solo practice to the joy of shared learning and collaboration, Laura shares how community has shaped her career and how therapists everywhere can benefit from deeper, more intentional connections. You’ll learn why in-person relationships still matter, how to reach beyond your usual circles, and how PERG and Quarterly Connections help therapists find mentorship, CE opportunities, and real human support.

Laura Ford is the publisher of PERG, the Professional Education Resource Guide, a long-standing print and digital resource that helps massage therapists discover continuing education, events, products, and professional opportunities. She co-owns a thriving group practice in North Carolina, has directed and taught through Bodywork Therapy Seminars, and runs a YouTube channel dedicated to helping therapists choose the right training for their goals. Known for her passion for education and collaboration, she champions the power of community in creating sustainable, fulfilling careers.

Why Community Matters in Massage and Bodywork

How Laura’s Early Experiences Shaped Her Commitment to Connection

The Challenges of Isolation in Solo Practice

The Strengths and Limits of Social Media Communities

Rebuilding In-Person Networking After the Pandemic

How PERG Helps Therapists Find CE, Mentors, and Opportunities

The Vision for “Quarterly Connections” and How to Host Your Own

Getting Comfortable Reaching Across Borders, States, and Specialties

Overcoming Competition Mindset to Build Supportive Peer Networks

Practical Ways to Start Connecting in Your Local or Regional Community

• You don’t build a career alone; connection fuels long-term success
• In-person learning creates richer, more lasting relationships than online interaction
• Even introverts can build community by taking small, intentional steps
• One genuine connection can open doors years later
• Every therapist has something to offer—mentorship is not limited to advanced practitioners
• Community grows when someone steps up and says, “I’m hosting something; join me”
• Organic networks and formal organizations both serve essential roles in a healthy profession

🌐 PERG Online 🔗 https://pergonline.com/listings
🤝 Quarterly Connections events and mentorship listings 🔗 https://www.pergonline.com/quarterly-connections/ 

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!

In this session, Gael sits down with Michael Ortiz Jr, a massage therapist turned multi-business owner, suite landlord, and founder of The Unreasonable Life. Michael built his first practice inside a shared room, scaled to a six-therapist operation, transitioned into business coaching, and now runs two multi-room salon suite locations while helping practitioners build profitable, peaceful, sustainable businesses.

This episode breaks down the salon suite model in a way most practitioners have never heard: what it really takes to open one, who it’s best suited for, what renters look for, how to screen tenants, the financial realities, and the unexpected challenges that come with managing a multi-room space. If you’ve ever considered expanding beyond hands-on work, moving into semi-passive income, or renting a suite yourself, this conversation is essential.

Michael’s philosophy is simple: profit creates peace—and the suite model can offer that when executed with clarity, structure, and the right people.

Michael’s journey from therapist to multi-location suite owner

How his early struggles shaped his approach to business and coaching

Employee model vs. suite model: which is right for you

What successful suite renters need before moving in

The must-haves in a suite space: parking, layout, zoning, amenities

How to price suites, evaluate profitability, and avoid costly mistakes

Negotiating leases, free rent, TI (tenant improvements), and contractor pitfalls

Building a supportive renter community that reduces turnover

• Renters are your customers—not your employees

• The wrong tenant costs more than an empty room

• Peace comes from systems, boundaries, and choosing the right people

• Pre-screen finances and personality before renting a suite

• Profitability depends more on retention than high rent prices

• Two to three sessions a week often cover rent for a solo renter

• Suite ownership is simple—but not easy

💰 Michael’s Pricing for Profit Masterclass 👉 https://michaelortizjr.com/ 
📲 The Band App (used for renter community and communication) 👉 https://www.band.us/en 

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!

In this episode, Gael sits down with reflexologist and educator Jenny Sheridan to explore how the feet can offer meaningful clues about what’s happening in the body. With more than 20 years of experience teaching reflexology, aromatherapy, and Indian head massage, Jenny brings insight, intuition, and clarity to a therapy that continues to fascinate both therapists and clients.

This conversation opens the door to understanding the subtle information the feet can reveal. Jenny shares the surprising way she discovered reflexology, how she integrates it into her practice, and the simple foot “reading” cues therapists can observe without diagnosing. You’ll learn how color, temperature, texture, and tenderness can help guide your work and enrich client sessions.

Jenny Sheridan is a respected reflexologist and teacher known for blending grounded technique with compassionate communication. Her trainings help therapists use reflexology as both a stand-alone treatment and a powerful add-on to massage and aromatherapy services.

How reflexology maps the body through the feet

The surprising story behind Jenny’s first reflexology experience

What changes in color, temperature, and texture can indicate

Gentle ways to communicate observations without diagnosing

How reflexology complements massage, aromatherapy, and energy work

• The feet hold visual and tactile clues that support holistic assessment

• Observations guide treatment but should never become diagnoses

• Even short reflexology additions can create powerful client results

• Intuition matters, but professionalism and clarity come first

📚 Jenny’s free Foot Reading Mini-Course 👉 https://www.essentialsholistic.com/mini-foot-reading-course/ 

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!

In this episode, Gael sits down with award-winning massage therapist and Hall of Fame inductee Shawn Stewart to explore one of the most overlooked skills in massage therapy: draping. From building instant trust to maintaining safety, professionalism, and client comfort, Shawn explains why a secure, intentional drape is one of the most powerful tools a therapist has. This conversation shines a light on the standards, techniques, and communication practices that help clients feel safe, respected, and fully able to relax.

Whether you’re a new therapist or a seasoned practitioner, this episode will help you refine your draping skills, reduce anxiety in session, and elevate your overall professionalism. You’ll walk away with practical strategies, new awareness, and a deeper understanding of how draping shapes the entire client experience.

Shawn Stewart is the owner of Stone Tower Massage, a CE provider, and a decorated massage therapist known for excellence in both wellness and sports categories. He has earned Gold in Wellness Massage, Silver in Sports, and recognition as the 4th Best Sports Massage Therapist in the world. As a judge for multiple massage championships, he brings a unique perspective on what truly creates trust, safety, and high-level professional standards. His passion for body mechanics and longevity in the field informs his teaching and hands-on approach.

Why Draping Is the Foundation of Client Trust

The “High and Tight” Standard and What It Communicates

How Competitions Judge Draping and Common Mistakes

Special Considerations for Male Therapists

The Role of Communication in Building Client Confidence

Adapting Draping for Different Body Types and Movements

Practical Drape Techniques for Arms, Legs, and Stretching

Using Draping to Set Professional Boundaries

Environment, Comfort, and the Subtle Details Clients Notice

• Safety through secure coverage
• Clear boundaries that protect therapist and client
• Confident, consistent technique
• Intentionality in every fold, tuck, and movement

• Draping is one of the strongest nonverbal signals of professionalism
• A loose drape creates uncertainty and disrupts relaxation
• Male therapists must be especially intentional to establish trust
• Clients assume your draping standard reflects your whole practice
• Confidence in your drape creates confidence in your session
• Draping is a skill that improves with study, practice, and observation

🤝 Connect with Shawn on Facebook 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/sdslmt
🌐 Follow Shawn on Instagram 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/stmassage_shawn/ 

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!

In this episode, Gael sits down with business coach, AI developer, and former massage therapist Julie Campbell to simplify the path to Instagram success for wellness providers. From choosing the right content formats to making Reels feel less intimidating, Julie breaks down the practical steps that help massage therapists grow their audience and turn followers into real booked appointments.

Whether you’re brand new to Instagram or you’ve tried posting without results, this episode will help you understand what works, what to avoid, and how to create a consistent, sustainable marketing routine that actually brings in clients. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and simple strategies you can start using immediately.

Julie Campbell is the founder of The Aligned Practice and a former massage therapist who built her own successful private practice before transitioning into coaching. After years of learning business skills the hard way, she now helps massage therapists and wellness providers grow with ease using soulful strategy, smart systems, and practical tools like AI. Her Instagram expertise comes from rebuilding her own account from low engagement to thousands of aligned followers while booking a consistent stream of clients.

Julie’s Journey from Massage Therapist to Business Coach

Why Instagram Works Especially Well for Massage Therapists

A Simple Posting Strategy: Reels, Images, and Carousels

Making Reels Less Intimidating and More Authentic

Using AI Tools to Brainstorm Content

Hashtag Strategies That Actually Help

How to Use Instagram Stories to Fill Your Schedule

The Power of Consistency and Repetition in Marketing

• Sustainable Posting
• Mixed Content Formats
• Authenticity Over Perfection
• Data-Informed Adjustments

• Instagram is where most ideal clients already spend time
• Authentic, imperfect posts attract more connection than polished ones
• Stories are an easy way to share openings and get booked
• You only need a small, high-quality content routine to grow
• Marketing works when it’s consistent, not perfect
• People book when the timing is right, so repetition matters

🤝 Connect with Julie through Instagram 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/alignedpracticehq 
📚 Connect with Julie and explore her resources 🔗 https://alignedpractice.io/get-support  

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!

In this episode, Gael sits down with Australian massage therapists and podcasters Jackie and David to explore the emotional side of running a solo practice. From the realities of isolation to the surprising ways community and shared experiences can support your longevity in the field, this conversation unpacks how to make business feel less lonely and far more fulfilling.

Whether you’ve been in solo practice for years or you’re just beginning, this episode sheds light on the importance of human connection in a profession that often demands so much of us physically, mentally, and emotionally. You’ll walk away inspired and equipped with practical ways to create your own circle of support. 

Jackie and David are long-time massage therapists based in Australia who bring humor, honesty, and heart to the conversation about solo practice. Jackie has been in the industry for more than a decade with a focus on pregnancy massage and lymphatic drainage. David transitioned from a sixteen-year public service career into massage therapy, developing a niche in chronic pain and trauma work. Together they co-host The Folding Towels Podcast, where they answer the questions massage therapists wish they learned in school and offer grounded guidance on navigating business and life as practitioners.

1. The Reality of Loneliness in Solo Practice
2. Finding Joy and Support Through Community
3. Breaking the Isolation Cycle
4. Creative Ways to Build Community
5. Networking That Feels Natural
6. Maintaining Balance as a Solo Therapist
7. Work Options That Reduce Isolation
8. Use the Three Pillars of Connection
• Personal Well-being
• Professional Community 
• Local or Interest-Based Groups 

• Solo practice often brings hidden loneliness
• Community provides energy, perspective, and emotional relief
• Not all connections need to be business related
• Leisure time is essential to staying inspired and avoiding burnout
• You can “buy yourself colleagues” through co-working or networking spaces
• If community doesn’t exist around you, you can create it

🎙️ Listen to the Folding Towels Podcast here 🔗 https://foldingtowelspodcast.com.au 
🤝 Connect with David and Jackie here 🔗 https://www.instagram.com/foldingtowels_podcast/  

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!

In this powerful session, Gael sits down with Darryl “DJ” Turner, founder of Scaling Wellness, to break down what it takes to grow and scale a massage business. From solo practice foundations to seven-figure operations, DJ shares the mindset, and strategic decisions that separate plateaued practitioners from owners who build thriving, self-sustaining companies.

This episode is a must-listen if you want to stop doing everything yourself, build a team you trust, and create a business that can grow beyond your treatment hours.

Darryl “DJ” Turner is a marketing strategist turned industry-leading consultant who specializes in helping massage and wellness businesses scale sustainably. After years in the dental industry, he transitioned into the massage world where he discovered both the potential and the structural gaps in how practitioners approach business. Through his company Scaling Wellness, DJ works with practices ranging from solo studios to multi-location, seven-figure organizations. He is also the host of the Scaling Wellness Podcast with more than 300 episodes.

1. DJ’s Unexpected Path into Massage Industry Leadership
2. Growth vs. Scaling: Why They Are Not the Same
3. The Mindset Shifts Every Owner Must Make
4. The “Valleys of Death” in Massage Business Growth
- Valley 1: $0 to $5K per month 
- Valley 2: $10K to $20–30K per month 
5. Hiring for Scale
6. Marketing as You Scale
7. The First Step Toward $20K Months and Beyond
- Use DJ’s Three Dimensional Vision

• Adding more clients will not fix operations or hiring issues
• Leadership trauma is real, but it should not stop you from building a team
• Business plateaus are normal and predictable
• Systems allow freedom; hustle does not
• Your business becomes a sandbox for personal growth

🎙️Listen to Scaling Wellness Podcast here 🔗 https://scalingwellness.com/podcast/ 
🤝 Connect with DJ here 🔗 https://scalingwellness.com/ 

💆🏻‍♀️ Spa Marketing 🔗 https://go.spamarketing.com/gaelwood
💎 CoreStones 🔗 https://corestonemassage.com/
🧣 Modesty Massage Wrap 🔗 https://modestymassagewrap.com/  

🎁 Unlock unlimited replay access and bonuses with the 2025 Summit Upgrade!
Check it out here 🔗 https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/offers/sUU4Pjpn 

Links & Contact Info:

📚 Join the Massage and Spa Success Club 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/the-new-massage-and-spa-success-club 
📩 Download the Free Massage & Spa Success Guide 🔗 https://www.elevatewithgael.com/massage-and-spa-success-free-ebook 
📧 Email Gael 🔗 [email protected]
🎙️ Send a Voice Memo 🔗  https://www.speakpipe.com/MSSPODCASTVOICEMAIL 

If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast—it helps spread the word to other massage and spa professionals looking to grow their businesses. Thanks for tuning in, and see you in the next episode!