noelmassage's Massage Interview
Do you remember your first client ? Tell us something about that first day when you decided to be a Masseur!
I was so lucky--my first client was a former masseur himself! He gave me so much useful feedback about what I was doing right, and what I needed to improve. I was completely new to the field and he answered a lot of questions. I didn't want to charge him but he wanted to pay me anyway! I thought it was a positive omen for good things to come, and it most definitely was.
Some people say that being a Masseur is addictive. Would you miss your Masseur days ?
Over the last 9 years my life has changed in all kinds of ways, and probably will continue to do so. The one constant has been doing massage, no matter what else was going on. That's one of the great things about the job--it's so adaptable and self-directed. And it's always worth doing, because giving pleasure to others gives me so much pleasure. So it will probably continue to be part of my life in some way or another, even if it's no longer my primary employment.
Do you consider yourself a successful Masseur?
I think so, because I've been able to do something I enjoy so much and get paid for it. I've met some really interesting people and been places I never would have otherwise. And I have regular and loyal clients that I've developed such great relationships with, amazingly generous people whom I really like. I consider all of this success, as they are hard things to find in a job.
Tell us a little about yourself, if you were to pick something what would you like your clients to absolutely know about you?
I've led a rich life and have done so many different things, including receiving a lot of education. Of course in the world of massage intelligence has to be balanced with warmth, intuition, skill, instinct, generosity and empathy. But clients feel safe if they know I'm also thinking logically about how to maximize our time together. Each client is so unique that there's been far more analytic thinking required by the job than I thought there would be. And clients appreciate those efforts. It's been said that massage is an art more than a science, and that demands being smart about what you're doing in so many ways.
How would you like someone that contacts you for a massage to feel when they leave?
In a word, transformed! Sometimes I can get them there, sometimes not, but that's always what I'm aiming for.
Why did you become a Masseur?
I didn't want to continue working at jobs that I didn't feel invested in. And I finally realized I'm just not good at being monitored and told what to do. I needed a job where I could help others in an immediate way, and be my own boss. I only have to answer to my clients. Being a middleman is not for me.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a Masseur?
You need to really care about people and be genuinely interested in them--physically and otherwise. You've got to be willing to be very flexible and even fearless sometimes. And you need to know not just how to communicate, but how to get others to communicate with you. If you're going to take it seriously, it's going to require far more of you than you might think. But the rewards are great.
How long have you been a Masseur and how long do think you'd like to continue?
Nine years ... I don't have an expiration date yet!
Is extensive training necessary for a Masseur in order to be successful?
The more training the better, but that's only the beginning. You're a human being touching another human being, so many other factors are in play. You can be technically proficient but not necessarily be able to create a full and rich experience for people. So there's no guarantee or recipe. The skills required extend far beyond technique.
What distinguishes you from all the other Masseurs?
I'm reliable and serious about the job. I've been in Palm Springs 6 years, I'm available pretty much all the time, my rates remain reasonable--I'm in it for the long haul.
How do you like clients to feel about the experience when they leave?
I hope they've really enjoyed it, but I also want them to feel invited to collaborate with me on making their session, and any subsequent sessions, as gratifying for them as they can be. I don't just do the same routine over and over, so I want each session to be flexible and creative for both of us. I want to get them excited about the next session, and hopefully the one after that as well!