TristanBeach's Personal Masseur Interview

Last Updated: Feb 29, 16:19

- The fact that everyone who comes to me, comes back, speaks for itself.
I had one client who, after their first session with me, apologized for only tipping me $20. An hour later, I received a text from him thanking me for the session and asked me for my Venmo. Within minutes, I received an additional $100 tip from him. Upon awakening the next the morning, I had another text from him, attempting to communicate how he was still feeling after our session. And, an additional $100 tip was sent to my Venmo.
That story is uncommon, but it's common that my clients show their appreciation in many ways. That, to me, shows how they feel.

- Absolutely. In order to become successful one has to have a coachable mindset. I have been perfecting my craft for 15 years. Anyone can perform a rub and tug. It's an art form to produce a session that is transcendent.

- One must ask themselves these questions as a true healthy massage therapist has the following characteristics.

1. Do I possess the gift of touch?
2. Am I an empath?
3. Am I truly a giving person?
4. Do I consider myself a healer?
5. Am I coachable?
6. Do I posses physical skills, interpersonal skills and relational skills?
7. Am I physically fit?
8. Am I healthy mentally and emotionally?
9. Is my reasoning for being a masseur to serve myself or others?
10. Can I set healthy boundaries?

- I consider myself successful based on these reasons.
1. I'm the only practicing therapists from my graduating class.
2. I have surpassed 23,000 logged hours. Less than 1% of massage therapists can claim stats like mine.
3. To my knowledge, I am the only therapist in the country who has a money back guarantee...and it has never been used. My guarantee is that if my massage is not one of the top three you've ever had, then you get it for free.
4. I was able to raise two kids as a single dad. I am now able to support myself comfortably.
5. I have countless emails from my clients over the years who tell me what a difference I've made in their lives.
6. Over the years, massage has allowed me to explore myself sexually and in doing so, become more authentic.

- For me, massage is about connection. Over the years, I have formed some amazing connections and some of them have turned in to some of my most valued friendships.

- My three previous professions after graduating college and before deciding to become a massage therapist were, ballroom dance instructor(3 years), commercial project manager(10 years) and insurance services (4 years).
I was using massage therapy on a weekly basis for self care and to deal with the stress of my profession(s) and life in general. As I aged, I realized I wanted a less stressful career and I believed I could achieve that by becoming an amazing massage therapist. That was 15 years ago. I've worked for myself since day one.
I do not remember my first client, however, I have several clients who have been coming to me for 15 years.

- I would say what distinguishes me from all the other masseurs is first and foremost, I have the gift of touch. Followed closely, the fact that I am an Empath. I am a giver and healer by nature. I have more professional training whereas most have none.

- I have been a massage therapist full time for 15 years. During that time, I have logged over 23,000 hours. My goal is to keeping massaging until I'm 70! It's an extension of who I am and a way for me to connect with others.

- This is a great question and I thought long and hard about this one. I would say the one thing that I would want my clients to absolutely know about me is that I am just like them. I grew up in a churchy environment where anything male/male was strictly forbidden. I wrestled with my sexuality until I was 35. Choosing this career has allowed me to go on a journey of authenticity which I am thankful and grateful. In turn, I have met some amazing clients, who I am blessed to call friends, who allowed me safe spaces to work through my sexuality. I'm married and have grown children. I've come out to my wife and she has been supportive and understanding and our relationship has never been better. So as I said, I AM the vast majority of the clients who come to see me. I know what they've gone through, what they're going through, and what they struggle with. I've been told i'm the most empathetic man they've ever met. To me, I feel being available to men and women, in this space, is my calling, my purpose.

- I am a certified Lvl 2 Pickleball coach. I have been coaching various sports over the years. I like to paddleboard and swim in the Gulf which is how I stay in shape for my sessions. I am working on my Dive Master scuba certification. I play tennis and plan to start beach volleyball in 2024!
I've been teaching ballroom dancing since 1992 albeit more sporadically these days.
My clients, many who have been with me for 15 years, refer to me as an old soul, or a Renaissance man.

- Initially, I became a masseurer to have a less stressful career. Prior to this career, I was a senior project manager for a commercial construction firm.
I've stayed being a masseur because I quickly found out that I have the gift of touch and the ability to create a safe, warm, inviting space. So many of my clients have shared less than steller stories about trying to find a safe space and person to work with and time after time, coming up short. So many massuers are either narcissistic or short change their session time or don't have a nice clean studio which has caused many a man to feel uncomfortable during the session and then guilty, unsafe, devalued, and used afterwards. I knew I could provide a respectable, professional setting and that men and women would appreciate my efforts.

- I used to live-in Chattanooga and travel to Bham, Nashville, and Gatlinburg monthly. Now that I'm leaving beach side, I only visit Chattanooga quarterly for a week.

- I work hard to make sure each of my clients,
new or returning, feel validated, respected, and seen. Over the past 15 years I've completed over 23,000 hours of massage and body work. In that time, I've learned that most humans are touchstarved. Most drive away remembering my sensuality and my energy and are quick to text me later that day or even the next to let me know they are still physically and mentally feeling our session.