DanHarris's Personal Masseur Interview

Last Updated: Aug 17, 00:49

- I used to be a jet-setter in my 30s and 40s. I've pretty much traveled to or lived everywhere accept the middle-east. I honestly think I'm done travelling for the most part. It lost it's thrill for me. Besides, I live in Southern California now; by car or plane I can be to a lot of great places in under 2.5 hours up and down the coast and internationally.

- I studied in 2002 and began massaging in 2003. I guess that is just aboout 21 years. I'll continue forever, it keeps my hands from getting arthritis and it feeds my soul.

- I retired from Merril Lynch World Headquarters, in NYC, in my mid 30s and moved to Europe. When I was living in Germany 23 years ago or so, my best friend wanted to go to massage school, so I joined him. I enjoyed it so much that when I returned to the states, in my late 30s, I eventually took out an ad in the local gay magazine. That was 21 winters ago in Florida.

- Very much so on so many levels. I think the true mark of success is that I have had the same regular clients for well over a decade now. I have always lived in gay resort towns and they come see me in their travels. But I think the best thing a client ever told me is that he comes back time and time again because he trusts me, and this is why he can relax with me.

- Well, of course I want them to feel satisfied. I want them to feel they chose the correct therapist for them. From the feedback I get, fortunately, this is pretty much 100% of the case. I want my guest to feel as if they have melted into my table, which is another comment I always hear. Everyone has different expectations/needs and I of course want them met.

- I believe a great number of us do this because we believe we have a gift. We choose to share this gift and receive great joy in doing so. I am part of this group.

- They feel incredibly relaxed, relieved and released from all stress when they leave.

- Extensive? Absolutely not. If you were born with the gift you then need an education to find out what NOT to do as you can do a lot of damage. But continued study and enhancing techniques has proved to be fun and beneficial to my clients.

- Massage a few friends and at least a few massage therapists and ask for their feedback. Are you comfortable touching others? Does nudity offend you? Do you have a natural touch and flow or are you just jumping all over the place. Are your recipients comfortable with you or do you make them nervous. Based on your initial experiences and feedback you will know if it's time to go to school or not. You don't have to go all the way with the thousands of hours required to get licensed but get as much education as you can before you start or you may hurt someone.

- Gym pretty much daily, animals - both mine and at the shelter, family - we are all very close and supportive of one another; we take great interest in each others lives, I can say the exact same with my circle of friends. I have a group of about 2 dozen buddies that I bowl with every week, none of us are good enough for the leagues so we just enjoy each other's company, have a lot of fun, and laugh a lot. I enjoy being outside, I will often do my computer stuff in my garden. When it reaches the 90s you'll find me in the pool. My ex-husband and his boyfriend get a kick out of taking me hiking, as big and strong as I appear, moving this body up a trail takes work. I used to be a serious jet-setter, but unfortunately I no longer find joy in traveling, it's a shame. I enjoy my wonderful, humble home. After living in the US and several European cities, I am finally in my forever home.

- Wow, one thing... Living with joy. I am so lucky to have been able to retire early and discover this gift that brings me so much joy.

- I don't ever plan to end my massage career. I retired from Merrill Lynch World Headquarters in NYC financially comfortable in my mid 30s. I give massages because I am lucky enough to have found a retirement career that brings me great joy. I LOVE people, all sizes, shapes, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. Imagine being in my shoes and having the pleasure to meet all these wonderful people and share this gift I have of making someone feel amazing. Changing their entire day. I need the positive energy flow between my clients and I, it balances me.

- My first day was exhilarating yet very insane. It was back in the days when we all had answering machines and advertised in magazines. My ad came out in the local magazine on Friday and by Sunday I had to unplug the machine, I had 64 messages, way too many calls to properly and respectively respond to.