May 23 2010
On being a Male Therapist
So many of the male massage therapists I speak to see that their gender is their biggest limitation. I can understand that line of thinking, because at one time I thought that way. There is no denying that massage therapy is a female-dominated field. But it is not female-dominance that makes being a male a limitation. It is the BELIEF that being a male is a limitation that makes it a limitation.
For every male therapist I’ve spoken to who is crying the blues for his lack of success, I’ve met another male therapist who is thriving. In my own experience, I realized that as long as I went after the nurturing, comfort massage client, I would have a hard time building my business. So I specialized in pain relief. I trained extensively with John F. Barnes and gained expertise in myofascial release. I adopted a tagline, “Therapeutic Massage for Pain Releif.” My office looks more like a clinic than a spa. I built a very successful massage practice.
The most important thing I realized was that my business’ success had very little to do with how I appeared, and everything to do with what I believed about myself. Once I found my niche, it was easy to ask $100 for an hour of treatment. I never found resistance to my price. Why? Because I believed that my services are worth it. If someone is in pain, then my services become a necessity, not a luxury item.
As long a therapist, male or female, thinks that they are limited in some way, and that this limitation is keeping them from growing, they will not grow. Our success is shaped by what we believe about our success. As long as you see yourself as the effect of outside circumstances, you will be. Once you see yourself as your own cause–that you are the one who shapes your world–then you will be. Victim thinking will always keep you the victim. Victor thinking will do the same: when you see yourself as the victor, then victory is yours!
‘Til next time,
Woody