Folding Towels - A Podcast for Massage Therapists with Jackie and David

Join Jackie as she chats with Amy Tyler of Institute of Oncology Massage. With over two decades in remedial therapy, Amy talks about how massage can provide comfort and aids recovery for cancer survivors.

Amy also shares her personal journey having recovered from a benign brain tumour herself, enhancing her empathy and understanding towards patient care. She advocates for all therapists to learn oncology massage due to its growing necessity and explains that it's more about adapting to individual needs rather than applying a specific technique. Training is essential, as many cancer patients have complex health issues requiring knowledgeable care. Despite the emotional challenges, Amy finds profound fulfilment in her work and encourages ongoing education within the therapeutic community to better serve those affected by cancer.

Jackie and David share tips and stories about leaving the daily grind into starting your own beautiful massage business on your own terms.

We explore the challenging yet rewarding journey from paid employment to self-employment, discuss the importance of careful planning and financial preparation before making the leap. We also talk about taking your time to build a client base, especially in context with massage therapy, and highlight how leaving your job amicably can provide a safety net for future endeavours. We also encourage being financially proactive by saving for sick leave, superannuation, and emergencies to ensure stability in self-employment. Finally, we talk about how it's important not to compare your progress with others as every journey is unique.

In this episode we mention:

Have you heard of Sunspot? Marvel comics only Brazilian superhero. Rafael Bucater is a musculoskeletal therapist and massage tutor in Adelaide at the Australian Institute of Fitness.  He arrived in Australia in 2009 from Brazil, studying multiple diplomas and falling in love with massage.

Portuguese is Rafa’s first language, one of the Latin languages which means he has an advantage over someone whose only language is English.  Because the language of anatomy is nearly all Latin. This means that Rafa has a knack for applying his language skills towards teaching anatomy - that is teaching anatomy as a second language.

Rafa gives a shout out to all of the therapists in our industry who might be migrants: “If someone is speaking to you with a foreign accent, they are smart enough to know two languages and brave enough to do their job in the second.”

It’s not just language, Rafa loves learning, and believes that for therapists to be even better therapists, they need to know their anatomy.  He uses augmented reality and virtual reality to geek out for his own learning.  But he adopts multiple teaching techniques in the class.

Rafa is a Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and a 2022 finalist Massage Therapist of the Year.

ATMS Webinars with Rafael Bucater:

Join Jackie and David as we chat with Kylie Hicks, a remedial massage therapist in Mildura (Victoria) who has spent the last 20 years helping people to move forward from chronic pain.

Chronic pain isn't just about sore muscles or aching joints. It's an intricate dance between the mind and body, where emotions play as much a part as physical discomfort. As she puts it, "Pain isn't just felt; it's experienced on multiple levels."

We cover so many things. From rapport and empathy, and taking a great history; to not giving false hope; to the importance of rebooking and following up; and leading the client through a journey out the other side of their pain with new beliefs.

She believes the greatest tool is the client therapist relationship and her empathetic approach works to help regulate the nervous system's defensive patterns, fear responses, embedded muscle memory and learned muscle patterns.

Kylie's thirst for knowledge lead her to becoming a Master Practitioner in Neuro-linguistic Programming. This piece of the puzzle has enabled her to understand and work with trauma, achieving even greater outcomes for reprogramming chronic pain.

Learn more with Kylie:

In this episode of the Folding Towels Podcast, David and Jackie explore the relevance of Facebook for businesses amidst a plethora of social media platforms. We chat about our personal experiences (David apparently has some strong feelings about social media) especially how cheesy and fake social media can be when you're trying too hard.

But Facebook (and other social media channels) can be your business card, and can be used to build trust and familiarity. This is where you need to understand your audience and your niche.

There's lots of way to use social media well, and it's probably got nothing to do with following the fads. Spoiler alert: if you want to use social media for your massage business, be yourself and be genuine.

Be regular but not relentless in your social media endeavors. Embrace simplicity over complexity. Choose kindness over controversy. Your online presence should echo who you are off-screen—helpful, genuine—and that resonates more deeply than any sales pitch could

EPISODE SPONSOR

HY.GIENE Australia has worked with the spa and hotel industry and also washing machine manufactures to develop specific washing products and a procedure to guarantee that your towels come out 100% free of oil, your washing machine lasts longer and that your fire risk is pretty much zero.

Join Jackie and David as they talk about the stuff they never told you about in massage school (and probably should have).

In this episode, Jackie divulges her love of Meridian massage tables (spoiler alert, they are the worlds lightest and most comfortable massage table, made in Australia, and with a gas lift adjustable height option) … and no Meridian tables do not sponsor us!

We chat about the stuff that people say to us, often in a social context. If you've had family and friends make you feel uncomfortable about your profession, you are not alone.

We discuss body hair, farts, periods, menopause, hot flashes and a few other things as well in this episode. It's all natural (and organic), and we need to move forward from body shaming!

In today's episode Jackie dives head first into the world of commercial leasing with Kelly Cunningham, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Your Leasing Co.

Kelly shares her expertise in helping businesses negotiate better lease terms to save costs and balance power with landlords. With a focus on supporting small enterprises, particularly during renewals, Kelly offers strategies such as avoiding CPI rent increases and not signing personal guarantees.

Key advice includes allowing time for negotiation, understanding market rent rates, and considering relocation benefits – all aimed at empowering you to make the best decision.

Call Your Leasing Co: 1300 356 702

Your Leasing Co and Massage Myotherapy Australia Free Lease Review: https://www1.yourleasingco.com.au/mma/

*** Connect with Jackie and David ***

Join Jackie and David as they chat with Stuart Hinds a soft tissue therapist whose career includes 32 years of clinical experience, four Olympic Games and one Commonwealth Games and who has presented workshops globally.

Stuart is passionate about self-care within the industry and he shares invaluable insights into the world of massage therapy.

Key Points from This Episode:

Join Jackie and David as they chat about whether we should be asking our clients for a note from their doctor.

The human body is a complex organism and weird things happen. While we're trained to understand things about muscles, bones, ligaments and tendons, our clients will often present with things a little out of the ordinary.

Spoiler alert!! If you ask for a doctors note, then you treat, and that person experiences harm because of your treatment, then you are still liable.

Not confident with treating someone? Refer out. Want to be confident in treating that person? Up skill.

You don't have to treat all people nor should you have to.

Join Jackie and David as they explore why being booked out could be a sign of a solid business, or it could inhibit effective client care. From a place of ego, to a question of vulnerability.

Take comfort, your success and/or efficacy as a massage therapist is not defined by how far in advance you are booked out.

Being booked out does have an advantage of providing comfort that you can pay yourself (well I hope), meet your expenses and put money in the bank for a rainy day.

But being booked WAY out, might not suit you as a therapist, especially if you need to see someone next week as a follow up.

We also talk about Kylie Hicks, a massage therapist in Mildura who works with people exclusively who have chronic pain. Her knowledge and experience means that she can build a program that works and she might work with a client for 6 months and then graduate them into their own self care.

Join David this week as he talks about the intricacies of sponsorship – a strategic dance between business, community, and genuine connections.

When you run a business it doesn't take long for someone coming begging for money. Spoiler alert! You don't HAVE to sponsor anyone.

If you do chose to sponsor a club, you can botch it up like I've done, or you can be smart about it.

- know who you want to sponsor

- know why you want to sponsor

- know what your are going to get out of this relationship Join David to unravel the mysteries of sponsorship, turning it into a strategic business move that fosters genuine connections, community engagement, and lasting impact. Jackie's back next week. Bye for now!

Welcome back to 2024!

Our Folding Towels podcast journey continues from a seasonally confused Adelaide. It's been quite the year—bushfires, floods, hurricanes—but here in South Australia, we're enjoying some greenery after December rains.

Jackie has indulged in family time and movie marathons (shoutout to Gerard Butler). On a less thrilling note, she tackled overdue bookkeeping—a necessary evil for us small business owners.

David also found himself wrapping up work on Christmas Eve; it seems there's no escaping those last-minute admin tasks.

We both aimed for restful breaks—David introduced his son to snorkeling. Yet amidst relaxation lurked the inevitable: data migration woes as he switched booking systems and dropped his laptop.

As we ponder our goals for 2024 with words like 'self-care' and 'reinvention', personal projects beckon. For Jackie, it’s finishing her client-focused massage book; for David, embracing professional development opportunities like Paula Nutting’s coaching and Chapman’s reflexes course.

This year is about connection—overcoming professional isolation by expanding our therapist networks through social events rather than just educational ones. And let's not forget the excitement of upcoming conferences!

Listeners can join our conversation anytime via our website or social media—we’re flexible and eager to discuss topics that matter to you. Don't forget to subscribe and share Folding Towels podcast with friends so they never miss out on an episode either!

Here's to a fulfilling 2024 filled with growth, learning, laughter—and hopefully fewer dropped laptops! See you again soon!

So Jackie, where do you stand on Mariah Carey in your massage room? I'd happily stand on Mariah Carey if she asked me to ... but that's not what you mean is it!

Our last episode for 2023 - a bit of banter, some Christmas fun, a big thank you to all our listeners around the world thank you for supporting us in our first year.

We will be back in 2024 with a full calendar of episodes, some fabulous guests and more laughs.

For now we have closed the laundry door. Merry Christmas and see you in the new year!

Do you remember when you were a brand new massage graduate? Jackie and David have recently visited a student clinic for massage. And at one of those appointments, a student requested this episode. Jackie and David reflect on getting started in the industry. We talk about:

• Going to work in a clinic vs working for yourself
• Saving for and buying good equipment
• Self Care
• Confidence and client conversations
• Finding a community
• Investing in your own education
• And taking classes while you figure out what you want your style to be

Jackie even pushes David's buttons (just a little bit).

Whether you've been around the block a couple of times (or maybe more), or you truly are just graduating (CONGRATULAIONS 🎉) the episode is a journey of discovery.

Jackie and David have a deep and meaningful about life, the universe and everything as they reflect on where they want to take their own practices, plan the year out ahead, their own personal journeys and the possibility of being eaten by a bear in the Appalachian Mountains.

This is a personal and reflective episode to help you take the steps that you need to take so that your year is as fulfilling as it can be.

Some of the things mentioned in today's episode:

In this episode, Jackie shares that she is both slightly concerned by and also grateful for David's obsession with policy.

Policies and procedures are not everyone's zone of genius, but the truth is, policy is something you can't escape and shouldn't ignore. We chat about why we need them, how they are useful, tips and tricks for writing them (spoiler alert - your association usually has templates that you can adapt).

And we discuss in depth the three policies that you need to implement right now: Work Health and Safety, a Privacy policy and your Non Attendance and Late Cancellation Policies.

We promise that it really isn't as painful as it sounds! Grab your pen and notebook and get ready to take some notes!

Today Jackie and David delve into how to raise your prices without upsetting your clients (spoiler alert, a couple of them will probably get upset anyway).

Raising your prices regularly is a good thing, especially as you do deserve to pay yourself well. Your costs are going up, and your clients know that too.

We talk about things to do right, things that probably will upset your clients, and most of all a communication plan.

Today, Jackie and David chat with Peter Harman from HY.GIENE Australia about removing oily residue from towels and linen. Yes, we're talking about laundry again!

Not just throwing your towels into the machine after work, but how to prevent oil build up, extend the life of your washing machine and most importantly fire prevention because of hot, oily towels. We read about it in the massage groups - oily towels frequently catch fire in hot cars and in dryers.

HY.GIENE Australia has worked with the spa and hotel industry and also washing machine manufactures to develop specific washing products and a procedure to guarantee that your towels come out 100% free of oil, your washing machine lasts longer and that your fire risk is pretty much zero.

Jackie and David delve into the importance of building trust with our clients through effective communication and understanding their health needs. This starts with taking a detailed history, which not only helps us to determine where and how we work, but it builds trust and helps to prevent us from doing something wrong.

We talk about the necessity of intake forms, meeting client expectations upfront, using patients' names for connection, asking relevant questions based on their conditions and reading body language to gauge when further probing is needed.

The key takeaway: always take your client's detailed history - it's not only beneficial but potentially lifesaving too!

Join Jackie and David in this light hearted episode as they lament about how unpredictable and bat crap crazy the lead up to Christmas can sometimes be. From strategies to tackle last-minute cancellations to the importance of showing compassion. We cover a range of strategies to keep the peace even when you want to scream.

Jackie and David delve deep into a seemingly ordinary topic - gift vouchers. If you want to sell gift vouchers (and you don't have to if you don't want to, but your clients probably will ask) there are a few things that you need to do right ... sorry the rules aren't optional.

From low redemption rates to legal complexities, businesses need to navigate carefully when incorporating gift vouchers into their model. For instance, did you know that Australian law mandates a minimum expiry date of three years for all sold gift vouchers?

As professionals in our respective fields, it's crucial we stay informed about such nuances that could impact our operations and customer relationships.

If your business offers or plans to offer gift vouchers this episode is for you.

Jackie and David chat with Paul Averill owner of Rub Massage in Adelaide, and SA director of Massage Myotherapy Australia.

It's going to happen sooner or later. Someone is going to leave you some feedback that you weren't quite expecting, and it will probably come in the form of a review.

In this episode, Jackie and David kick things off with a story about United Airlines reducing costs by saving weight and hence saving money.

We chat about deliberately asking for feedback for the purpose of growth. About how we feel will determine how we receive that feedback. And most importantly, how to respond to negative feedback and especially negative reviews. Let's face it, giving and receiving feedback with compassion is a skill that not many people seem to have.

How you respond to a poor review is probably more important than having all 5 star reviews. Because your future clients will judge you on how you respond.

Jackie talks about receiving a 4 star review from someone who wasn't even her client. David opens up about having to deal with a very aggressive client. You can't win everyone over.

Do you you talk with your clients? Or do you work in blessed silence?

In this episode of the Folding Towels podcast, Jackie and David talk about whether massage therapists should engage in conversation with clients during their massage sessions. If you were to read Facebook there are some pretty strong opinions out there on this topic! But it's not a simple yes / no!

From using conversation as a therapeutic distraction, to seeking consent to knowing just when to keep shut up and let your client just be in the moment, to "those clients" that really enjoy a good chat because they find silence to be uncomfortable. Just don't forget your boundaries.

Reading cues from clients, allowing conversations to naturally fade as clients relax, setting boundaries at the beginning of each treatment and ensuring clients feel comfortable to communicate their preferences.

We also talk about the need to avoid inappropriate or burdensome conversations and the importance of respecting clients' desire for silence.

Ultimately, it's about striking a balance between conversation and quietude to create a positive and relaxing experience for clients.

In this episode, David chats with Christine Knox from the Health Leader Co about her journey into massage, of moving to Australia from Scotland, back again, flying off to work in a helicopter and then moving back to Australia with the dream of opening a massage school. Arriving in Armidale, Christine started her Australian massage career as a locum, going on to open her own clinic, hire staff, and then close it all down to make her dream of running a massage school a reality.

Join Christine at her face to face workshops in Melbourne and Sydney in October 2023. Or learn Remedial Hot Stones and Gentle Scar Massage online in a fully mentored environment.

Join Jackie and David as they get pretty deep about whether or not being friends with a client is a good idea or not. David admits to cycling with a couple of clients, Jackie opens up about where a friendship outside of work affected her work. And I think we unanimously agree, that being romantically involved with any client is a plain old bad idea. We take quite a few tangents here, and we do explore ethics, reputation and objectivity.

Join Jackie as she shares about many options for massage oils and their properties, so many of which can be found in the local supermarket too! From good old faithful coconut oil, to water dispersible oils , oils that are good enough to eat and oils that are infused with botanical properties. Choosing your massage oil doesn't have to be hard, and it's always a fabulous idea to keep a couple of options on hand too.

Carrier oil suppliers in Australia:

David and Jackie drop an E today! Yes they get all emo - because being human is complicated. We talk about some of the feelings you are probably feeling like fear and stress and loneliness and celebration and imposter syndrome and some strategies to keep on track especially when you are feeling the big feels.

Ninety bucks an hour? Is that enough, is it too much? Jackie and David talk in depth (really in depth) about the things that you need to consider when setting your fee for your service. Spoiler alert .. there's no such thing as a standard fee. And you can't feed your family just by loving your job intensely. From location, to budgeting, to your experience, pricing isn't simple. But it doesn't need to be hard either. Grab yourself a pen and some paper.

Jackie and David talk about the pros and cons of running your massage business from your own home, the things you have to get right, business and personal safety and also client comfort. Don’t forget to talk to your Council, Landlord and your insurer … among other observations.

Jacquie and David get personal about music. What is Yacht Rock? Why do we even use music when we massage? What types of music are appropriate? Have you ever asked your client what music they love to relax to? We answer these questions and more in this deep dive into music.

Maybe you've just got your Diploma and you're going it alone, or you have worked with others for some time and you're now ready to set up shop. Choosing your first clinic location is a big step. Jackie and David discuss a bunch of things that you will want to think about from geographic location, parking, neighbours, registering with Council, signage, facilities and much much more.

Massage and Myotherapy Australia Members can access for free a lease review service through Your Leasing Co to avoid surprises.

https://yourleasingco.com.au/

In this short-thought episode, David prepares to take a short break. Holidays are important! We need them to rest and recharge, so that you can give your best always. So when was the last time you took a break?

We'll both be back and at our best next week!

Do my massage appointments need to go for an hour? Do they need to be exactly an hour, or an hour of massage? What if my client doesn't like massage, but knows that massage is beneficial for their health? Jackie and David take on the myth of the one hour massage and answer these questions and more about appointment length, but more importantly communication.

Do you use towels or sheets? Jackie and David get passionate about linen - after ourselves and our tables, probably the most expensive tools we own! Do you wash your own towels or use a towel service? How hot is hot enough? Towels vs sheets. We leave no thread unturned (groan) on this episode.

Who massages the massage therapist? Jackie and David talk about why it's so important to take care of yourself so that you can continue to take care of others for as long as you can. From regular massage, to strength and stretching and taking a long hot bath, you need to walk your talk.

So what's the difference between implied consent, informed consent and ongoing consent? Jackie and David discuss how and why gaining consent in all aspects of your massage treatments is one of (if not the) most important things you can do to build trust, maintain trust and to get great treatment outcomes. David gets a little bit cranky!.

Jackie and David talk all things mobile massage. From personal safety, to personal hygiene to organising towels. Mobile massage is a common entry point for massage therapists, and has been a big part of Jackie's massage career.

Jackie and David talk about a tough week, talk about showing up, holding space for our clients and the challenges that we might face long the way.

Jackie and David discuss common scenarios that massage therapists may encounter, including requests for "happy endings" or other sexual favours. We explore some of the challenges that come with dealing with these situations and provide practical tips on how to recognise in advance, some tips for prevention and also how to respond and stay safe in your practice. Join us as we talk about creating a safe environment and dealing with sexual requests as a massage therapist. Because doing what you trained to do and love shouldn't have to include this!

Jackie and David talk about your personal image, what you wear to work and how your space reflects what you do and who you are trying to attract. And we just might have a little rant about therapists who don’t wash their towels.

Jackie and David talk about some pf the worst massage and business advice they have ever received.