Why your massage career doesn’t have to look the same forever, The advice Karin gives new massage therapists before opening their own practice, and Why nervous system regulation belongs in the massage therapy curriculum

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠Jane.app ⁠and now, the Radical Massage Therapist community can try ⁠Jane.app⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO

What does a 30-year career in massage therapy actually look like? For Karin Olsen, it has included hands-on practice, owning multiple businesses, managing a team of 30 employees, selling two businesses, teaching continuing education, business coaching, returning to solo practice and now stepping into her newest role: professor.

In this episode, Karin and I talk about the many seasons a massage career can move through and why the version of your practice that works for you today doesn't have to be the version you keep forever.

Karin also shares why she believes new massage therapists can benefit from spending time in a busy practice before starting their own business, why business education belongs in massage school and why nervous system regulation is becoming a foundational part of the new massage therapy program she is helping build at Centralia College.

One of my favourite parts of this conversation is Karin's reminder that there are many ways to stay in this profession.

Connect with Karin

Moon Hill Mystery School
www.moonhillmysteryschool.com

Centralia College Massage Therapy Program
Search "Massage Therapy" at Centralia College.

Connect with The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

[email protected]
www.theradicalrmt.com
Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist

About Karin Olsen

Karin Olsen is a licensed massage therapist, educator, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the field of massage therapy and wellness. Since becoming licensed in 1995, Karin has built a career centered on therapeutic bodywork, education, leadership, and helping others develop the skills and confidence to care for themselves and their communities.

As the former owner of Radiance Herbs & Massage in Olympia, Washington, Karin spent 15 years building and managing a successful wellness business. She led a team of more than 30 employees, managed an annual budget exceeding $1 million, and developed a business that brought together massage therapy, herbalism, and holistic wellness.

Education has become an increasingly important part of Karin’s work. She has taught massage therapy and wellness-related subjects and has extensive experience developing curriculum, creating experiential learning environments, and mentoring students. Her work with Centralia College has included developing a comprehensive Massage Therapy program, including feasibility research, curriculum development, course design, program outcomes, and student learning experiences.

Karin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Central Washington University and a Master’s degree in Ecopsychology from Naropa University. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to bring together hands-on clinical practice, business, education, creativity, and a deep understanding of the relationship between people and their environments.

Whether working with a massage client, mentoring a student, or developing educational programs, Karin brings curiosity, practical experience, and a commitment to creating thoughtful, accessible, and meaningful learning experiences.

Have you ever said, “Why didn’t massage school teach us this?”

Business. Marketing. Building a clientele. Managing money. Setting boundaries. HST. Creating a schedule. Running an actual massage practice.

I have too.

But lately, I’ve started looking at this conversation differently.

Massage school had a pretty important job. It needed to help us become capable, confident, safe and ethical massage therapists and prepare us to enter the profession.

Then comes the part nobody can completely prepare us for: building a career.

In this quick solo episode, I’m sharing why I’ve changed my mind about everything massage school “forgot” to teach us, why I think some lessons make more sense once we’re actually working, and why taking responsibility for our continued learning might be one of the things that separates a good massage therapist from a great one.

One of the best parts of massage therapy is that there isn't one correct way to build this career. You can work in a spa, build a solo practice, join a clinic, specialize, own a business, teach, work fewer hours, make great money, or create something completely different.

You don't have to know which version you want on graduation day.

You do have to be willing to keep learning once you figure it out.

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is Jane.app and now, the Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane.app for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO

If you spend any time on social media, you've probably heard someone talking about the vagus nerve.

Apparently, we're all supposed to be cold plunging, humming, breathing differently, doing eye exercises, and regulating our nervous systems.

But how much of this is actually science, and how much has been oversimplified into another wellness trend?

In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I’m joined by Alanna Thompson, registered massage therapist, educator, and founder of Salience Education, to unpack what massage therapists actually need to know about the vagus nerve and nervous system regulation.

We talk about why the vagus nerve is suddenly everywhere, what popular “vagus nerve hacks” may actually be doing, and why the effectiveness of any intervention depends on the person in front of you.

Alanna also challenges something many of us assume: that massage is automatically relaxing.

We explore why some clients struggle to let go on the table, why relaxation itself may not always feel safe, how pain and pressure can influence the nervous system, and how massage therapists can become more intentional about creating treatments that support nervous system regulation.

We also talk about:

• Why the internet won't stop talking about the vagus nerve
• The science behind humming, breathing, cold exposure, meditation, eye exercises, and massage
• Why simple nervous system strategies can still create meaningful change
• Why massage doesn't automatically relax everyone
• The difference between simple and easy when changing chronic patterns
• How to talk about stress while staying within our scope as massage therapists
• Why slower treatments may sometimes be more effective
• The underrated power of face, scalp, ear, neck, and abdominal massage
• How nervous-system-informed massage can help you develop a unique and in-demand practice

One of my favourite takeaways from this conversation is that understanding the nervous system doesn't necessarily mean adding another complicated modality to your toolbox. It can help you become more intentional with the skills you already have.

And when we understand why we're doing what we're doing, we can create better experiences for our patients, build practices that stand out, and continue developing careers that give us freedom, flexibility, financial success, and work we genuinely enjoy.

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is Jane.app, and now the Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane.app for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO.

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ABOUT ALANNA

Alanna Thompson (RMT, BKin) has been an engaging educator for 15 years, and a massage therapist for 4. Alanna has a thriving trauma-informed massage practice where she treats highly stressed patients - focusing on chronic pain, headaches, jaw dysfunction and nervous system conditions. She is passionate about understanding the nervous system and how we can work with it for life-changing results. Her courses are evidence-based, practical and engaging. She uses clinical examples to drive home the neuroscience content so that any massage therapist will feel able to treat complex patients with clarity and confidence. 

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CONNECT WITH ALANNA THOMPSON

Salience Education
salienceeducation.com

[email protected]

instagram.com/salience.education/

facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579651231939

CONNECT WITH THE RADICAL MASSAGE THERAPIST

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.theradicalrmt.com
Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist

What makes a great massage therapist?

Is it knowing more techniques? Taking another course? Applying deeper pressure?

According to international massage educator Beata Aleksandrowicz, those things matter but, they aren't what truly transforms your treatments.

In this episode, we explore why touch itself is one of the most powerful therapeutic tools we have, how intention changes every treatment, and why your own personal growth may be the biggest factor in becoming an exceptional therapist.

Beata has spent more than 30 years training massage therapists around the world, developing signature spa treatments, teaching in luxury spas, and helping therapists build careers that are both meaningful and sustainable.

Together we discuss:Why great therapists are developed and not born

The healing power of intentional touch

How to deepen your treatments without adding more techniquesWhy communication begins before your hands ever touch the clientPreventing exhaustion through self-awareness and recoveryThe importance of continuous education beyond manual skillsCreating signature treatments that truly reflect who you areWhy massage therapists have never been more important than they are today

If you've ever felt like you're doing "all the right things" but want your treatments to feel more connected, more meaningful, and more impactful, this conversation is for you.

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠.⁠ ⁠The Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane free for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO

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Contact Beata Aleksandrowicz

Website:
https://beatadigitalacademy.com

Beata Digital Academy

Available through:

Apple App StoreGoogle Play Store

Instagram: @beatadigitalacademy

LinkedIn: Beata Aleksandrowicz

Contact Krista and The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

🌎 Website www.theradicalrmt.com

📧 Email [email protected]

📸 Instagram @theradicalmassagetherapist

As massage therapists, we're incredibly good at helping other people relax. But when was the last time you asked yourself...

How well am I recovering?

In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I sit down with Craig Goldberg, co-founder of inHarmony and a certified vibroacoustic therapy practitioner, to explore an approach to nervous system recovery that many massage therapists have never experienced.

Craig shares how a personal health journey led him into the world of sound therapy and why he believes relaxation doesn't have to be something we work hard for.

We explore:

• What vibroacoustic therapy actually is (and what it isn't)
• How sound and vibration influence the nervous system
• Why massage therapists may benefit from passive recovery
• The fascinating connection between vibration and fascia
• Binaural beats, music as medicine, and the future of wellness technology
• Practical ways therapists could integrate this into their practice—or simply into their own self-care routine

Whether you're looking for new ways to care for your clients or simply searching for better ways to care for yourself, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on recovery.

Because a sustainable massage career isn't only about treating well...

It's about recovering well.

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠.⁠ The Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane free for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO

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Contact Craig Goldberg

Co-Founder, inHarmony

🌐 https://iaminharmony.com

📱 Instagram:@iaminharmony

📺 YouTube: inHarmony Interactive

🎧 inHarmony Music Meditations App

Contact Krista and The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist

Website: www.theradicalmassagetherapist.com

What if the key to a sustainable massage career wasn't another modality, business strategy, or productivity hack?

What if it was learning how to manage your own mind?

In this episode, I sit down with Spencer Delisle, President of the Art of Living Foundation Canada, high-performance coach, meditation teacher, and breath work educator.

Spencer has worked with executives, elite athletes, military personnel, first responders, and leaders around the world.

Together, we explore how breath work, meditation, and nervous system regulation can help massage therapists stay present, recover more effectively, make better decisions, and create careers that support a life they actually enjoy living.

We discuss:

• Why high performers often struggle despite outward success

• The connection between breath, stress, and emotional regulation

• Flow states and how to access them more often
• A simple breathing exercise massage therapists can use between clients

• The science behind meditation and stress reduction

• Neurodivergence, self-awareness, and emotional resilience

• The upcoming World Culture Festival coming to Canada in 2027

If you've ever felt like your body was in the treatment room but your mind was somewhere else, this episode is for you.

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠Jane.app⁠.

The Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane free for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO

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Contact Spencer Delisle

@spencerdelisle

Art of Living:@artoflivingcanada@artoflivingusa

artofliving.org

Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

📧 [email protected]

🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com

📱 @theradicalmassagetherapist

Have you ever spent an entire Saturday at a trade show or community event offering free chair massage, only to wonder if it was actually worth it?

In this solo episode, I am sharing my honest thoughts on trade shows, community events, and why massage therapists may have more to offer than 10 minutes of free massage.

This episode explores creative ways to build visibility while protecting your time, energy, and expertise.

If you're looking to grow a sustainable massage practice that supports freedom, flexibility, financial success, and joy both inside and outside the treatment room, this episode will give you plenty of ideas to consider.

• Why free chair massage isn't always the best marketing strategy
• How massage therapists can showcase skills beyond hands-on treatment
• Creative trade show ideas that don't require giving away massage
• Community-based marketing that builds trust and visibility
• Sponsorship opportunities that can strengthen local connections
• Why thinking like a business owner changes how you approach events

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠.⁠

The Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane free for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO

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Contact Krista and The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

📧 [email protected]

🌐 The Radical Massage Therapist

📱 @theradicalmassagetherapist

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Mentioned

Movie: "I know what you did last summer"

What if the key to a longer, more enjoyable massage therapy career isn't more recovery... but more strength?

In this episode, I sit down with Registered Massage Therapist and strength coach Brandon Connerty to explore a topic that doesn't get nearly enough attention in our profession: building a strong body that can support the career you want.

Brandon shares how he went from treating 15 clients per week to nearly 30 clients per week while feeling stronger and more capable than ever. What started as a necessity during the pandemic turned into a realization that changed the way he thinks about massage therapy, fitness, and career longevity.

Together, we discuss:

• Why being fully booked isn't the same as being maxed out

• How strength training can increase your capacity as a therapist

• Why recovery is important but may not be the complete answer

• Practical ways to begin training for strength as a massage therapist

If you want more energy at the end of your workday, confidence in your body, and a sustainable path forward in your career, this conversation is for you.

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠.⁠

The Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane free for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO

Contact Brandon

www.brandonconnertywellness.com

@brandonconnertymtstrength

[email protected]

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Contact The Radical Massage Therapist and Krista Dicks, RMT

📧 [email protected]

🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com

📱 @theradicalmassagetherapist

This episode is honestly one I should have recorded a long time ago.

Today, I’m sharing the real reason I started this podcast

Because I noticed something…

👉 We were all massage therapists…

👉 But we were living completely different lives

Some therapists were:

-Traveling the world-Working part-time-Building businesses-Making great money

And others felt:

-Stuck-Questioning the career-Unsure what was next

Same profession. Very different outcomes.

So I had to ask:

👉 Is massage therapy actually the problem… or are we just not seeing what’s possible?

In this episode, I walk you through the 4 RMTs who changed everything for me and how they helped shape what this podcast is all about.

If you’ve ever questioned your career or wondered what else is possible for you… this one is for you.

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is
Jane.app And now, the Radical Massage Therapist community can try it FREE for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO

Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

📧 [email protected]🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com📲 @theradicalmassagetherapist

Episodes and RMTs Mentioned

Karina Joly (Episode 1)Jana Veltheim (Episode 6)Helene Letourneau (Episode 10)Andrée-Anne (Episode 12)

This episode is one of those conversations that expands what you think is possible in your career.

Today I’m joined by Victoria Munro, RMT + IBCLC, who has built a unique practice working with prenatal, postpartum, and infant care blending massage therapy with lactation support.

We talk about:

• Why massage therapists should be part of the breastfeeding conversation

• The concept of the postpartum dyad (mom + baby as one unit)

• How infant oral function impacts feeding, tension, and long-term health

• Why treating babies can actually make you a better therapist for adults

• The truth about prenatal massage (and why we’ve been overcomplicating it)

• How niching down can give you more freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment

This episode is a reminder that your scope is bigger than you think… and your career can evolve in ways you probably haven’t considered yet.

🩵 Sponsor

🩵 My favourite software for online booking and charting is⁠Jane.app⁠ And now, the Radical Massage Therapist community can try it FREE for 1 month using code: RADICALRMT1MO

Contact Victoria

Website: www.victoriamunro.ca⁠
Email: [email protected]

Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast and Krista Dicks, RMT

📧 [email protected]

🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com
📱@theradicalmassagetherapist