Ep. 43 - Crafting a Massage Career with Purpose with Allison Denney of Rebel Massage

Dive into the transformative power of energy and connection in the world of massage therapy! In this insightful episode of the Handcrafted Therapy Podcast, Julie Alexander sits down with Allison Denney to explore the unique journey of finding passion in massage without the need for a dramatic backstory. Discover how Allison, known for her engaging Rebel Massage content, believes in redefining rules and boundaries within the therapy community, emphasizing personal growth and authenticity.

Listeners will learn about the unexpected parallels between money and energy in therapy, along with practical advice on building a sustainable massage practice that thrives on connecting with personal values and the community. Allison also shares her approach to content creation, encouraging therapists to stay true to themselves and embrace their unique quirks.

Whether you’re a seasoned massage therapist or new to the field, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on how authenticity, energy, and community can shape a fulfilling and dynamic career in massage therapy. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation filled with actionable insights and tips for those looking to expand their horizons in the world of therapy.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How to embrace unique characteristics in massage therapy practice
• The significance of asking questions and respecting rules
• How massage therapy paths diverge and evolve
• Why genuine connections drive community growth
• How Rebel Massage inspires creativity and innovation
• The impact of reflecting inward and outward in professional growth
• How money and massage are both forms of energy
• Why crafting engaging content matters for therapists
• How storytelling attracts individuals to the massage industry
• Why adapting and exploring ensures career longevity

View extended shownotes here

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Plano, TX 75023

Contact me for a free sample:
email - info@handcraftedtherapy.com
text/call -  972-658-7722

Order it online: handcraftedtherapysupplies.com 

Visit our store:
3303 North Central Expressway #240
Plano, TX 75023

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Transcript

Ep. 43 - Crafting a Massage Career with Purpose with Allison Denney of Rebel Massage

[00:00:00] You are listening to that Handcrafted Therapy podcast with massage therapist and business owner Julie Alexander. That's me. I'm your host. I've been a massage therapist for 17 years and I have a business marketing degree on this podcast, and we'll be interviewing industry professionals that can talk to us about how to run your business better, how to be a better massage sheriff overall, and how to take care of yourself and give yourself a little love, little self care.

Little great than your life. I am so glad that you're here. Thanks so much for joining us today.

Introduction and Setting the Tone

Julie Alexander: Oh, this is so exciting. Okay,

Allison Denney: So good. So good.

Julie Alexander: good. 

Getting to Know Each Other

Julie Alexander: Well, can you tell me a little bit about yourself.

Allison Denney: How much time do we have? Yeah, I mean, I, okay. I'll come from a massage therapist point of view. 

Journey into Massage Therapy

Allison Denney: So, I have been practicing massage therapy since [00:01:00] 2000. I. I'm coming up on my, uh, 25 year anniversary, which is crazy. I'm not that old. I'm only 25, so I don't really know how that's possible. I must have started practicing when I was born.

But my massage therapy career has gone through many iterations as I feel like happens for a lot of massage therapists because there is so many. Places that it can go. And there's so many opportunities and there's so many routes that we can take not only within the modalities, but kind of as a business owner, as an entrepreneur, and all of the things that Make this whole field be what it is. And I feel like my path has taken me on pretty much all of those, on all of those journeys. So it's been really fun. So I,, I've had a private practice. I've worked for chiropractors, I've worked for PTs, I've worked in spas. I mean, like, I've done that whole gamut.

And then, uh, I started. Teaching at a [00:02:00] school. And then I had some students who were like, this was kind of at the beginning of the cell phone era, and I had some students who were like trying to film my demos in the classroom. And I was like, what are you doing? That's not right. We don't do that. And of course now, like, that's all we do.

But they made a couple comments of like. 

The Birth of Rebel Massage

Allison Denney: If you videotaped these demos and put them up on YouTube, we would watch them. And so I did. And then that started to grow. And as that started to grow I mean, I just, like everything kind of expanded from there. I was able to make a product that I. I feel very passionate about and felt kind of like other people might feel the same way.

And turns out they did. And they do. And that is continuing to grow. And my teaching journey has continued to grow. I've developed continuing ed courses. I teach both online and on ground and travel around and do all the fun things. And I just feel like I've. I have I write an [00:03:00] article for Massage and Body Work magazine.

I have a podcast. I just feel like the doors continue to open and I wanna say yes to all the things. 'cause why the heck not? I mean, we really are. Oh, there's like so much I wanna just get out of this one life that I'm living and I'm just trying to do all the things. It's a little overwhelming sometimes, but also amazing.

So.

Julie Alexander: I can relate to all of those feelings,

Allison Denney: Okay.

Julie Alexander: For all of the listeners out there that are watching and listening to this, I just wanna say, rebel Massage, you are like a flagship in our industry. You're somebody to watch, right? I mean, you're somebody to pay attention to and you have a name in this business.

If you don't know who Rebel Massage is, you should know her by now.

Allison Denney: so sweet of you to say thank you so much.

Julie Alexander: So let me ask you this where did you come up with the name? Rebel Massage. I.

Allison Denney: I, [00:04:00] I mean my own like. I came out into this world as a rebel and I feel like I've grappled with who that is inside of me from quite literally day one. I mean, I, anything that was imposed upon me, I was just like, I wanna figure it out my own way. I wanted to like, don't tell me what to do. I'm gonna have my own plan about how I do things.

And and so the word rebel for me. Has always boiled down to not necessarily like taking down who's in charge or like, causing a ruckus or being mutinous. It's more about defining who I am in a world that is full of noise and everybody's got an opinion and a and a. And advice and guidance and the shoulds.

I really worked hard For whatever reason, it was like my inside drive to be like, well, what is it that I feel like is right and that I'm gaining and that I wanna track with? That feels like a good path for me. I. [00:05:00] And I feel like it's so similar for all massage therapists because we get into school and we learn Swedish, and then we learn deep tissue, and then we learn sports, and then we learn shiatsu, and then we learn orthopedic, and then we learn.

I mean, the gamut the gamut of modalities that are out there can be completely overwhelming because. It can feel, especially to a new therapist, like, how am I supposed to know what I like? There's so many things out there and I feel like my business model, the thing that I have called Rebel Massage is trying, for the most part to empower massage therapist to find their inner voice and to.

Enjoy all of the exploring and enjoy all of the CE classes from all of the different teachers and all the different perspectives. And then pull a little bit of this and a little bit of that and a little bit of what they like and a little leave behind what they don't like and make that their thing. So the word revel has always been a, like [00:06:00] a word for me that felt like it defined me.

So it just kind of.

Julie Alexander: It felt like a hat and you were wearing it.

Allison Denney: It was, I was already wearing it and I just like gave it a name, so, yeah.

Julie Alexander: Let me further ask this question now. 

Philosophy on Rules and Rebellion

Julie Alexander: Do you feel like being rebellious, does it mean that you're gonna break the rules or does that mean you are just pushing up to the rules? Or what do you think about rules.

Allison Denney: That's good question. And it kind of comes back to, like I think what I was saying before and I think is a bigger conversation always is that. Exactly what you just asked. Like, what are the rules? What are rules in general, why do we have them? And if you think about rules they are imposed by the people who came before us or the people who are in charge.

And I honor and respect rules as much as I can, but there's a balance of getting to a point where I'm, I wanna [00:07:00] recognize in myself. When a rule inherently doesn't feel right to me, and if there's something that, if I feel like I wanna pick and choose that battle to fight and start to define something that feels like a parameter that I would feel comfortable operating in, or a rule that I would enjoy being a part of.

I feel like this is a big, messy conversation 'cause there's so many ways to think about what a rule is and who's in charge and what that means. But I think ultimately I. It comes down to this very fine line balance, this like balancing act that I feel like we all walk all the time of like, well, at what point are you breaking a rule and at what point are you redefining something that is old and needs to be redefined?

Or at what time are you respecting a rule, but at what time are you, Confining yourself and not looking outside of the box. So, I do respect rules because I feel like it's part of being a kind human and sustaining like a social [00:08:00] world that feels kind and nice and respectful.

But I think there's also always. This part of us that feels like maybe we can't ask some harder questions. And I think I'm more just ask the question, have the conversation. Doesn't mean you're not, it doesn't mean you're like bad for asking the question. It just means like, have the conversation and then let's go from there and see what happens.

Julie Alexander: I love it. I love it. I knew you had a story around the word rebel. I, I think I'm a rebel too. I feel there's a lot of people that really identify as a rebel. Now. I am big on rules. I think there's, I've, I haven't always been. But as a leader now in our industry, I am a big advocate for them because I believe that we gotta practice what we preach.

And, it's helped me in my own health. You big time. I mean, I tell my clients [00:09:00] how to live healthier. Why don't I practice what I preach? And that mirror behavior has changed me.

Allison Denney: It's no joke. The mirror thing is no joke. That'll teach you all sorts of lessons. It's crazy.

Julie Alexander: it's powerful.

Allison Denney: Yep, totally.

Julie Alexander: Very powerful.

Allison Denney: Yeah, it is. But I also think that there's something in that, like I think that the rules that as a leader in the industry, the rules that you're wanting to hold as a structure.

Feel safe. And I think when we are really looking at ourselves hard, we wanna feel safe. And those rules help us to feel safe and there's not one moment that I'm kind of saying like, break down the walls and break all the rules. I'm more just well look at that rule and if the rule is reflecting a mirror back at you that you need to look at, then that's the conversation.

Or if the role is I dunno, there's something that doesn't feel right here, then that's the conversation.

Julie Alexander: absolutely. Question everything.[00:10:00] 

Allison Denney: Please. Yes, please.

Julie Alexander: Well good. I like that. 

Personal Stories and Reflections

Julie Alexander: So one of the things that I really like to do is just kind of get to know like how you got into massage. 'cause those are usually really good stories too. Was there some sort of a path or something that happened in around 2000, I think you said you graduated in 2000.

What were you doing before then? How did you even get into this world?

Allison Denney: I mean, it definitely feels like my story is not as powerful as some other stories of people who get into massage therapy. 'cause I feel like when I became a teacher and I started to hear all the stories of. Why people enter the field of body work and healing and massage therapy. I mean, there are some incredible stories out there, and mine does not quite hit that height.

Mine was really just about the fact that I was I was living in Boulder, Colorado at the time and I was very physical. I was very physically active. I [00:11:00] was racing triathlons. I was on a hip hop dance tro. I was like. Just outside, I was mountain biking, I was doing so much stuff all the time, and I was receiving a lot of massage and I was also waiting tables for a living.

Like that's what I was doing. And I didn't quite know what I studied philosophy and religion in college and I really wasn't doing much with that. Like there's not, there's not room on many CEO benches for a philosophy religion major. So I, I was receiving a lot of massages and using my body a lot and curious about, how to be more efficient or how to feel better in everything that I was doing.

And the Boulder College of Massage Therapy was right in my backyard and I was like, well, I'll just try it. And then, I mean, that was it. Like I fell in love. I mean, I was, I can't even quite say that. It's not like I fell in love and lived happily ever after. I loved the school, was trained by incredible people.

And then I [00:12:00] think, when I graduated, I think I had the same experience that a lot of massage therapists have, which is what I was describing before this kind of like overwhelm and this kind of like exhaustion of what I was doing. I was more physical now that my body was doing more body work and was cranking through feelings and emotions of like, how am I gonna get through this? And then this, whatever, this spirit inside of me that was like, I'm just gonna keep going. it works. So I was able to kind of, I. Work through a lot of issues and get to another side, and get to a place that felt so good to me and so comfortable.

And I mean, yeah, that's kind of it. I really, there, I didn't have any big moments where I was like, I broke, I shattered my bones, and then

Julie Alexander: I actually think that's even better of a story to tell because. One of the things that I would like to do as part of this podcast is try to attract people into our [00:13:00] industry. And not everybody's gonna have a big booming, I found Jesus through massage, right? Three. So, it's okay to have, Hey, this massage school is right here.

It's convenient. I could give it a try. And then you fell in love with massage over years. I mean,

Allison Denney: Over many years.

Julie Alexander: I think that's more normal, to be honest. It is

Allison Denney: Yeah. I mean, I have to like, I totally feel like this has been a theme running in my life recently, but I feel like it's so relatable to relationships. Like we think growing up, watching all the movies and all the TV that we are going to. Come to an age of adulthood, meet that perfect person, fall in love and live happily ever after.

And that perfect person is gonna be everything to us. It's gonna be all the things, our best friend and our lover and our business partner and our, roommate, all the things. [00:14:00] And that just is not true. And they feel like what you learn as you get older is that the definition of love is very different.

At least that's. What I feel like I've learned, it's such a different scope of things than what the movies and the TV shows say, and I feel like that's what you're saying, like this, the same idea of like, sometimes it just kind of falls in your lap and then you make the best of it and then you figure out how to like be better in the parts that are hard and you figure out how to move around the parts that you maybe want to change.

I mean, it's not linear. None

Julie Alexander: I agree with that. I mean, I don't necessarily think you have to have this big calling to become a therapist. I mean, it does help to have some natural ability. I do believe that's helped me a lot 'cause I have some natural skill. And maybe some natural ways of feeling empathy towards other people, right?

I think that comes in handy for our business. [00:15:00] But as far as like, having this big moment of truth that says, oh, I have to have this. You don't have to have that, and you don't have to even pretend like you have to have it.

Allison Denney: Right, right.

Julie Alexander: like I feel like there's so many people that are doing this big show of production.

Like, I have this great, newfound beautiful energy and that's awesome. But like, maybe instead of making it a big show, right? Maybe say, okay, what are my real intentions here?

Allison Denney: Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. And I've always kind of looked at those people and thought like, I envy that. Like I, 'cause it didn't happen for me like that. So I wonder what that feels like. That feels, that looks like, it feels amazing. But then at the same time, I sit in this place that I'm in now, and I love so many parts of my life because I've worked so hard at creating a life that I [00:16:00] wanted and didn't even know I wanted when I wanted it.

Julie Alexander: well, let's talk about that.

Allison Denney: Okay.

Creating Engaging Content

Julie Alexander: One thing that you're really good at is posting videos and social media content. How, how do the rest of us know what we're doing in life? I mean, when we have you, I think when we look at your content and like try to make something ourselves, it's very different.

Allison Denney: You mean like making content?

Julie Alexander: Yeah.

Allison Denney: Yeah. Yeah. I don't even know. I don't. I don't even know, Julie. I feel like I feel like the only thing I do, I get, I do get this question a lot. Like how do you make content that is so engaging or whatever the word is? And I love that people are engaged with it and it warms my entire heart and it makes me feel connected to a community, which is what this is all about.

Julie Alexander: It is.

Allison Denney: But I feel like the only thing that I can say about [00:17:00] that, I don't have any advice of like, you have to get this phone or this camera and this lighting and this microphone, and you have to like think about your music and it has to match and pair. Like, I don't, I can't do, my brain hurts too much if I think about it like that.

So I think the only thing that I do is put out the kind of stuff that I would wanna see, and that's it. Like it's this kind of a whole Kevin Costner, if you build it, they will come scenario. What is that movie

Julie Alexander: Yeah.

Allison Denney: Field of Dreams.

Julie Alexander: feeling dreams. Yeah.

Allison Denney: Yeah. And I feel like that's it. It's the same for. Your practice as a massage therapist or my practice as a massage therapist.

If I were to try to do deep tissue massage and craniosacral and reflexology and shiatsu and all the things, then my message is being received in a confusing way to people who might be clients. So I feel like if I'm just gonna do what I feel like I res, what resonates with me. Then in content, if I put [00:18:00] out the kind of content that I feel like if I saw that I would laugh, or if I saw that, I would totally like wanna see it this angle or whatever.

And then I just feel like if people love it, they love it, and if not, that's okay because I'm not doing it for the accolades or the likes. I'm doing it because I love this and I'm doing it because I love this community and that. I don't know. Whatever your driving force is, whatever you think would be awesome.

Whatever you think you would be attracted to or resonate with, then I think that's what you do.

Julie Alexander: Thank you. That's awesome. Thank you for posting content. I know I'm gonna give a shout out to my massage therapist, crystal McMurray. She's gonna be so freaking excited that I did that. She loves you and she. She told me that she had a client coming in after me that she needed to work on his shoulder and she was gonna go back and look at a video that you posted about shoulder work before he came in.

So I love that. I mean, I [00:19:00] teach business marketing for massage therapists, and one of the things that I constantly talk about is your target mar market. Who do you want to see your content and really think about what they wanna hear. What is it that people are needing to hear right now? And sometimes they're coming in and telling you 

Allison Denney: yes. And oftentimes I feel like it's, what am I needing to hear? I mean. I feel like there's stuff that I'm like, you know what? Like what is the thing that is just bothering my brain right now? What is the thing that is like, I can't get out of my head? Or what is the thing that I realized about my own functionality?

And I questioned, and then I like, dive into it and I'm like, I'm just gonna post about this because this is where my brain is at right now. And so, I think it's you. Predicting how your stuff is gonna hit is impossible, but I think, like you just said, kind of know who you're speaking to and most of the [00:20:00] time the people you're speaking to already like you, so be you.

Julie Alexander: Yeah. Yeah. And you're a mirror for what you attract too. I mean, I think one of the things that you're really good at is showing your personality, and I think that's something a lot of therapists might be a little afraid of, and I wanna encourage people to make mistakes and have fun and enjoy your time.

It doesn't have to be perfect. I think some of the best videos are ones that I've. Not me, but other people have messed up on and I'm like, oh, that's fantastic.

Allison Denney: I have messed up on so many and I've just been like, I'm just gonna put it out there. I mean, I'm not, it's, I am not like curing cancer and it's not that what we do is not real and good and to be taken

Julie Alexander: Yes.

Allison Denney: but, I'm not re, I'm not releasing posts that are revolved around research that is going to.

Dictate how a drug acts in a body or something like that. You know what I'm saying? Like, I [00:21:00] do think that, that what we do should be taken seriously. And I always say that with a grain of salt kind of thing. 'cause feel, I just feel like we all, we could all look at it a little differently with a little more lightness.

And I also wanna say this, like what you just said. Is something that I feel like I think about all the time. So you were I think a lot of people would not be okay with showing their personality online. And I think ultimately that my ability, for lack of a better word to show my personality is great, but also has massive downfalls like a person's greatest asset.

Is also the greatest downfall. I mean, that's. Yeah, I mean I've always believed that and I feel like I went through a long phase in my life where I was like, Allison, you have got to like not be so loud. You have got to stop telling people what you think. You have got to like pull yourself back in social situations and like I've kind of learned how to navigate things that feel a little bit [00:22:00] better, but also that's the part of me that I really love and I love that I can be, that I'm not good at other things.

And I think that if you can embrace who you are. Are for its good properties and its bad properties, then I think you're on the right track and onto something that I think will work for you.

Julie Alexander: I agree. I agree. I have one of my favorite comedians, her name is Katherine Ryan, and she says, it's a good thing we're not all alike 'cause we all can't love your father. She doesn't say love though.

Allison Denney: That's hilarious. That's hilarious. That's so funny. I'm gonna have to look her up.

Julie Alexander: Yeah, she's really funny. She's got a couple Netflix specials. Yeah. I, yeah, that was her that I think I quoted that correctly.

Allison Denney: Yeah, I'm sure that sounds totally funny. That's awesome.

Julie Alexander: it was really good. But it's true. I mean, the quirkiness in us [00:23:00] is what attracts people to us. Uh, you, our uniqueness is the. Some of the best things that should shine, and now I say that, but if you are ethically ambiguous, let's say a massage, I don't think that's appropriate. It just

Allison Denney: Yeah. I mean, all of this is under the scope of like do no harm. All of this is like, like this, none. Do what you want to a point. I mean, don't be, don't do anything bad. Just don't do anything bad. I mean, this is where the rules come in. This is where I

Julie Alexander: is

Allison Denney: that is so important to understand where the boundaries are.

I mean, boundaries are a huge part of what I try very hard to practice and build and support, and I think that needs to be true for everybody.

Julie Alexander: I agree. I totally agree. Boundaries are so critical in our industry. Alison, where are [00:24:00] you based outta?

Allison Denney: I'm in Southern California.

Julie Alexander: Ooh, that sounds fun.

Current Teaching Endeavors

Julie Alexander: And um, what are you teaching right now?

Allison Denney: I mean, kind of everything all the time, which is not really true, but kind of, so there's like a I teach a couple different things. I teach my YouTube channel, which I am working on some videos, some newer content for that is really kind of lots of different things. And then I also have a Patreon account.

Do you have a pat?

Julie Alexander: No. don't know what that is.

Allison Denney: We should talk about that. Patreon is a place for people who love what you do to help support what you do, and they can support you financially in a number of different tiers depending on how you wanna set it up. And depending on the tier, they get back a lot of stuff. So. For me, discounts on what I sell and like kind of behind the si behind the scenes content or extra content.

And so I teach I, I teach a once a [00:25:00] month to my top tier. I teach a once a month class that they get to pick the topic and so that evolves all the time. This coming up month, it is going to be about positional release. 

Upcoming Workshops and Teaching Engagements

Allison Denney: So a focus on that technique in general. And then I'm teaching actually a position release class for the A BMP Summer Summit Neck Summit coming up the summer.

And then I'm teaching a, an upper body and a back and shoulder mobility class week long workshop in Costa Rica in July, which will be very fun. And then I'm teaching another weekend workshop, which I believe is gonna be about the shoulder. In Chicago in October. So teaching lots of things, teaching in many different ways, in many different formats.

Discussing Potential Dallas Visit

Julie Alexander: would you be open to discussing coming to Dallas at some point?

Allison Denney: Yes,

Julie Alexander: Yeah.

Allison Denney: would, yeah, I mean, especially because I have a business colleague who lives there and isn't the A [00:26:00] MTA summit there?

Excitement for the AMTA National Convention

Julie Alexander: Yeah, so we're hosting D, the Dallas a MT, the National Convention in Dallas. Is this year in August? Yeah. I'm so excited. We're having a booth.

Allison Denney: Are you nice?

Julie Alexander: I have a booth there. I mean, I wouldn't be able to afford it in another city, but in my home state I can.

Allison Denney: Do it.

Julie Alexander: I'm really excited. I'm

Allison Denney: Yeah. I thought about it. It's expensive, but I thought

Julie Alexander: expensive. I'm really hoping. We sell a lot of stuff, but our name will get out there. 

The Importance of Marketing and Branding

Julie Alexander: And it's all marketing, right?

Allison Denney: It is. It totally is.

Julie Alexander: about branding and marketing.

Allison Denney: yeah, selling products, which I looked at your website and you sell some things, but selling products is like eyeopening to what business is all about. Eye opening. So eyeopening, I mean, in terms of marketing, I mean you, you said you teach marketing and business.

Julie Alexander: Yeah.

Allison Denney: Yeah. I mean, whew.

That's a doozy.

Julie Alexander: it is. I'm, yeah, I'm getting an [00:27:00] education.

Allison Denney: Yeah. That's awesome.

Julie Alexander: It is awesome. It's terrifyingly

Allison Denney: Yeah, it is. But again, like if you don't do the terrifying things, you don't grow. You

Julie Alexander: Yeah. 

A Heartwarming Story About an Angel Investor

Julie Alexander: I think you're gonna really like this story. I wanna share with you and our listeners a story that just happened to me yesterday, actually last night. So my angel investor is a sweet little lady. She's not that old. She's young. If you're listening, she's not old. I love her so much.

Her name is Elizabeth and she was on my table yesterday and she was in a lot of pain. She's dealing with some stuff. So, I'm working on her and I'm talking through her very patient and kind, it's gonna be okay, we're in this together, let's breathe through it. We're gonna be fine. Is that too much?

Is that, that kind of thing. And so, I walk her out the door and she's fine. She feels great the rest of the day. And I texted her and I had a little panic moment. Oh my [00:28:00] gosh, I might not pay, make payroll. I need some help. It's like eight o'clock at night. I've been working, doing massages all day and I text her this and she responded to me so beautifully.

She said, we're in this together. Breathe through it. Oh my gosh. It was so impactful for me to feel that love back from her because massage is an energy and so is money. I.

Allison Denney: A hundred percent. 

Realizations About Money and Energy

Allison Denney: I, that realization came to me more recently than not. And when I had that realization that money is energy similar to how massage is energy, I was like, oh, this changes everything. Like it changed my whole perspective.

Julie Alexander: Yeah, I mean, it's been blowing my mind that thought right there

Allison Denney: Yeah.

Julie Alexander: and

Allison Denney: That's amazing.

An Emotional Experience with Art

Julie Alexander: the, okay, so there was a painting I saw, I can't even remember where I was. I think I [00:29:00] was in Flagstaff somewhere in the west. Anyway, I went to this art gallery and there was this painting of this huge painting. It was like 10 foot tall and 20 foot wide of this huge horse. Okay. First of all, I don't care about paintings really. I mean, they're nice, but. I don't go into art galleries. That's not my jam. But my whole idea was mind shift around money at this. This was all about that. And so anyway, I walked in and I was like, rich people buy art. Let me walk. Let me see what's up with this. Suppose I am walked up to this painting that called my name. I mean, he literally took up the whole wall and he was like, come to see me. So I walked up to this huge painting of this horse. I don't care about. I like horses. They're perfectly fine, but it's not something like that I normally am attracted to.

So it was really weird. All of this was strange. I go into an art museum, I [00:30:00] never go into, I find this big ass horse on the wall and I can't get away from it. And this woman comes up to me and I see the price tag is like $375,000 or something. And I'm like, this is ridiculous.

Allison Denney: That's crazy.

Julie Alexander: There's a point, I promise.

Allison Denney: Okay.

Julie Alexander: She comes up and she starts explaining this horse and how this artist actually uses energy for her painting. And I'm like, really? And she's like, yeah. I'm like, tell me more. And she's like, yeah, look in the corner of this piece. And it says like, I don't remember what the number was, like 628 Hertz. It was the frequency of something, uh, like sound or something.

I can't remember exactly. It just blew my mind and I was like, and I knew enough about art to know I'm not supposed to touch it. Even the [00:31:00] first thing I wanted to do. And I said, I told the lady that worked there. I was like, I really wanna touch this, and I know I'm not supposed to. And she said, no, touch it.

And she literally took my hand and put it on the painting and moved my hand around. She goes, that's one of the things that the artist wants you to do with this painting. And I'm just like, this is really crazy. Like I, I've never experienced this before. And then I just started weeping. 

And she was like, this is just so, it was a beautiful moment, 

Allison Denney: Oh my gosh.

Julie Alexander: really reiterated this moment of like energy and money and, I mean, it was the whole thing.

Right.

Allison Denney: Yeah. Yes.

Julie Alexander: sense?

Allison Denney: Oh my gosh. It makes sense on so many weird, awesome levels that I can relate to because weird and awesome. I mean, that's incredible.

Julie Alexander: Right.

Allison Denney: cool. I definitely feel like that's one of those things that when you start to, I don't know, like when you [00:32:00] hear a word for the first time and you understand its definition and then all of a sudden you hear it everywhere, it's like that like.

You start to see money or whatever it is in a different way, and then literally it changes. It changes in the world, and then you understand it better or differently.

Julie Alexander: Yeah.

Allison Denney: is, that's some crazy, 

Challenges and Growth in the Massage Industry

Julie Alexander: and I do and I do really think that massage therapists have some mentalities around money. Right. One thing, one of the stories I like to share in my business marketing class is I used to have this lovely lady that came to see me. She was an accountant and I had just started my practice.

Like literally it was like the first year. And I'm working on her, and she was so sweet and kind, and I said, I have a question for you as an accountant. I said, I am having a hard time asking people to pay me. [00:33:00] It was such a humbling moment for me. I'm like even feeling my feelings now about it.

Allison Denney: Totally. Totally.

Julie Alexander: It was a humbling moment to ask for help in that way.

Especially to a client, right? Who pays you. But like, she was such a dear person, I thought I can trust and ask her this question, and she, her response was Chef's case, okay. She said to me, so let me get this straight. She said, you have no problem having a complete stranger come into your space, take off their clothes.

On your table and you touch their whole body and then you ask them to put their clothes back on and then you have a problem asking them to pay you.

Allison Denney: Yeah, that's a.

Julie Alexander: right?

Allison Denney: It's hilarious.

Julie Alexander: I was like yeah that's right. That's right.

Allison Denney: so perfect. So perfect.

Julie Alexander: and she goes, we're very different people. This.[00:34:00] 

Allison Denney: Yes. But we are, and I, I was just having this conversation, not you and me, but me and accountants. Like I was just having this conversation this morning about how accounting makes my whole body hurt. Like I can't, it hurts. Like everything about it hurts

Julie Alexander: I

Allison Denney: and. Yeah, totally. And I feel like, when it comes to money, I mean, there is so much that I always wanna say about money.

If any massage therapists are listening, and I wanna try to impart something that is going to make an impression, I just feel like it's exactly what you just said. There is a level of things that we're okay with, and then for whatever reason, we're not okay with this. And that blockade, the only person that's hurting is you. And I think that's a, again, a question of boundaries, but instead of having a boundary to keep something out, it's a boundary of protection and a boundary of like, okay, if I'm going to give this much of myself, if I'm gonna understand this much about the human body, and I'm going to. Give you what feels [00:35:00] like the most effective thing that is going to help your pain or your dysfunction or your issue in this moment.

And I'm not okay with asking for an energy return in that then I am going to not be able to pay my bills. I'm going to not eat well. I'm going to suffer in the long run, and then you're gonna lose me. And that to me feels like it's doing everybody a disservice. 

The Value of Money and Community

Allison Denney: Then it's earning money is not about.

Having a flashy car or a diamond earrings or whatever it is, the thing that feels gaudy and expensive, having money is about creating a connection and a foundation for a community that feels solid. I know that feels so disconnected, but to me, I feel like the second I shifted my mentality about money, the more I was like, wow, I feel like I have more energy.

I can sleep a little bit better. I'm not struggling. I'm not questioning myself. I'm not [00:36:00] buried in insecurities about it, and then I'm more productive in my life and in my world, and therefore like I'm a better massage therapist. I'm a better boss. I'm a better friend. I'm a better partner. Like. That's the community that I want.

And then if I'm suffering, I can't build that community that is going to keep me healthy and keep this whole idea of who we are and what we do afloat.

Julie Alexander: That's, I mean, it's so true.

Allison Denney: Yeah. Well you said it. You did. You said it. I mean, like your story is like, that's exactly what's happening. I just tried to like reverb it in the way that I

Julie Alexander: it's a different it's a good to have both. Perspectives. I mean, because it's true. I just, it breaks my heart to see our industry and people suffering and not succeeding in their careers, and having to go and find other jobs or a second job, and then their massage job goes [00:37:00] to the wayside or just dies.

And we need more therapists in our industry. I mean,

Allison Denney: And it's such a good career. It is such a good career.

Julie Alexander: it really is. And as you mentioned earlier the route you take is endless. I mean, you can change paths several times. You can find your rabbit hole and dive right in. You can reinvent yourself a hundred new ways to send it somebody who has A-D-H-D-I haven't been diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure, butterflies everywhere.

I mean, I thrive in a place that I can do that because I, before massage, I could not hold a job for more than two years, and I think there's a reason for that. It didn't keep my attention. I'm bored now. I learned everything I wanted to know about you. Let's move on to the next thing you know. I mean two years, and it seemed like a long time, but it's not.

I've been a massage therapist now for seven 18 [00:38:00] years.

Allison Denney: Nice.

Julie Alexander: So, I say all that because I do, like I said, I want more people to be attracted to our field especially ethic people. Ethically sound people.

Allison Denney: I agree. I agree. I agree. I mean, it's the whole conversation of like, you get out of it, what you put into it, and if you put into it angry, negative, resentful energy, that's what you're gonna get out. Period. Like done. But if you put into it like, let's see where this goes, and I'm just gonna like, make the best of this part and this part, then you're gonna get all those cool things back.

I mean, psm, by the way, when I was in massage school, YouTube did not exist. And I never could have predicted 25 years from then me being where I am now, like there's gonna be stuff that comes up that we have no idea is coming. And you, we just never know. Like, I don't know there's too many variables.

[00:39:00] Just take a thing you like doing and just do it to the best that you can and have so much fun with it and dive in and like do all of the things and enjoy every ounce.

Julie Alexander: Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we often talk about his, I feel like my. Trading room and retail area in Plano. Ha uh, handcrafted therapy. We are a community center for massage therapists to really like nerd out. So we go down little, we call it going down real little rabbit holes. And so we will dive deep into some particular subject.

And I mean, we might talk about the molecular chemistry of Arnica Oil. Why it works on bruises, 

Allison Denney: Amazing. Yeah.

Julie Alexander: I mean, I can do that as a lotion. I'd named myself a lotion ear. Allison, how do you like that?

Allison Denney: I love it. I.

Julie Alexander: This is the first time I'm publicly announcing [00:40:00] this. It was a fun wine field night one night, and I said, I'm a lotion, like a chocolatier from Willy Wonka.

Allison Denney: Totally.

Julie Alexander: Anyway, but you know, rabbit holes like that where you're like, oh, I can't feel cranial rib rhythm, or, which muscle is this? Right? I think those rabbit holes are like little, I don't know, aim massage angels that are going, please learn this,

Allison Denney: Yeah. Yes,

Julie Alexander: right? They're massaging our little brains going, come on, we need you.

Allison Denney: A hundred percent. A hundred percent. Just listen to them and just go and just do all things.

Julie Alexander: Do all the

Allison Denney: Create words like lotion.

Julie Alexander: That's right. Lotion here. Well, very good.

Allison Denney: I love that.

Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Julie Alexander: so is there any takeaways that you'd like to give our listeners?

Allison Denney: I mean,[00:41:00] 

Julie Alexander: That's such a broad question

Allison Denney: yolo. Seriously yolo. Like I know that it's not in trending anymore, but it is such a good, I mean, I. You only live once. So this idea that we more often than not, people who are trapped in a rut more often than not speaking from experience, act out of fear or worry, or. A very narrow view of what is possible.

And I feel like if you can break down those walls and whatever, how people break down those walls is a whole gamut of different stories and variables. I mean, it could be meditation or it could be like, I don't even know a relationship breakup or whatever. There's 9 million things that get us to a point where we start to break down these walls.

But once you get there and you can. Really take a deep breath and be brave and step [00:42:00] forward into the things that are uncomfortable or a little bit scary, and you start to explore the possibilities of a different perspective. Your life will be so different and you will soar. You will soar. I mean, who knows how that's gonna look, but oh my gosh, we are on this earth.

For one. Go around. Just dive in.

Julie Alexander: Oh, that was so. Beautiful.

Allison Denney: Oh, yay.

Julie Alexander: so beautiful. Will you be my best friend?

Allison Denney: Yes.

Julie Alexander: Yay. We're gonna have to do this again, Allison. I feel like we have so many things to talk about.

Allison Denney: Yeah. Oh yeah,

Julie Alexander: I mean, and we have.

Allison Denney: I kept thinking my brain. I like, don't go there, Allison. There's like that's that tangent is too big.

Julie Alexander: Yeah, I mean, like the boundaries it's too big. But I do really like, I don't wanna waste any of your time, of course.

Allison Denney: No, it's okay.

Julie Alexander: And, but [00:43:00] I think like we have a lot of, together, we have a lot of knowledge and, um, desire to move this industry forward.

Allison Denney: A lot of energy. 

Julie Alexander: A lot of energy.

I like that word. I like how you said that because we talked about money being, energy and massage.

Being energy

Allison Denney: Everything. Every,

Julie Alexander: is energy.

Allison Denney: everything. Totally.

Julie Alexander: How can I help you?

Allison Denney: Oh, you're so sweet. I mean, interviewing me is like a, such a kindness, it's just a nice thing. Making a connection and having me on your podcast is such a kindness. So I appreciate that. And I don't, I don't know. If I come to Dallas for the A MTA thing next year, then I will let you know and we can go have a drink.

Julie Alexander: Yeah, definitely. I definitely wanna meet you there and I definitely wanna think about like maybe we can set up a class for you to come to Dallas next year. I.

Allison Denney: that would be amazing. I was looking at trying to [00:44:00] get I was looking at throwing my hat in the ring for teaching something at the A MTA. Forum next year, what's it called? Summit. But I don't, I think the deadline is like tomorrow and I can't get it together. But I've also considered coming as a sponsor, like sponsoring and having products there and doing that whole thing, which you know well.

But yeah, I mean if we can coordinate something, I am game. I'm totally game and I love just the connection and the opportunity and. Like anytime I can get my brand out there is amazing and that's helpful enough and I appreciate it so much.

Julie Alexander: yeah. Okay. I'm gonna

Allison Denney: I send you some products?

Julie Alexander: please, I would love that. Can we send you

Allison Denney: you tried any,

Julie Alexander: No.

Allison Denney: please. Okay, so I would, I saw you. Do you make your own lotion?

Julie Alexander: Well, I have a cosmetic laboratory that I've worked with that makes it in bulk for me. Yeah.

Allison Denney: Amazing.[00:45:00] 

Julie Alexander: we make other products in house, so we have a muscle rub. Gosh, there's so many things we do. We're working on a myofascial cream right now that has like, really tacky, no glide. Oh, that's really fun.

Allison Denney: That's what I make.

Julie Alexander: yeah, it's really amazing. I'll send you, well, this is in beta test, so what I'll send you is a, a test of it and a questionnaire.

Allison Denney: Okay. Yeah, for sure. I mean, it's, it is, it's the world that I'm in, like that super tacky, myofascial work stuff. It's the world I live in. So yeah, let's swap products and chat products. I

Julie Alexander: so excited. I'm

Allison Denney: Yeah, for sure.

Julie Alexander: about that. Good. Well, if there's anything I can ever do to help you, I want you to know you have a resource in Julie in Plano, Texas.

Allison Denney: Thank you Julie, and vice versa. Is there anything you feel like I can help you with?

Julie Alexander: I don't know, maybe.

Allison Denney: Come to Southern California. Do something cool here.

Julie Alexander: maybe so maybe we can swap [00:46:00] teachings. I don't know. We'll

Allison Denney: I don't have a space here where I like can very easily just teach, but I'm a resource and I, if you ever wanna come here to make it happen.

Julie Alexander: Okay. That sounds good. Well, let's reconnect before you make it to Dallas in August

Allison Denney: For sure.

Julie Alexander: and then maybe we can re, we can do this again sometime soon.

Allison Denney: I would love that. Thank you so much,

Julie Alexander: I'm so thankful for you spending your valuable time with us

Allison Denney: Oh, sweet. And same. It's all the same value.

Julie Alexander: it's all good. Yeah. And let me know where I need to send the products to.

Allison Denney: Same. I'll email you my address email, you be mail me yours and we'll start moving and grooving.

Julie Alexander: perfect.

Allison Denney: Okay? Thank you, Julie.

Julie Alexander: you've been amazing. What a great guest. Thank you so much.

Allison Denney: Thank you so much. I'll talk to you soon.

Julie Alexander: Okay. 

Thank you so much for joining me on the Handcrafted Therapy Podcast. I would love to hear from you. You can email us at podcast@handcraftedtherapy.com, or you can come by the [00:47:00] store. It's at 33 0 3 North Central Expressway, suite number two 40 in Plano, Texas, 7 5 0 2 3. Or you could connect with me on social Instagram, Facebook hashtag can crafted therapy.

I'm Julie Alexander and I wish you a very happy and healthy day.