Episode 122: Setting the Tone for the Year Ahead: Learning, Planning, and Working Well

The start of a new year often comes with pressure to do more, grow faster, and fix everything at once. In this season opener of the Folding Towels Podcast, Jackie and David take a different approach.

We talk about setting the tone for the year ahead, not through rigid goal setting, but through clarity, learning, and intentional decisions that support long-term practice sustainability.

In this episode we cover:

Why early-year planning should focus on direction rather than overload.

Two standout professional development opportunities for therapists working with chronic and persistent pain:

• The Australian Traditional Medicine Society Integrative Pain Science Symposium (21 March, Sydney + livestream);
• The Massage & Myotherapy Australia Conference 2026, focused on multidisciplinary care for chronic pain.

David’s current experiment using ChatGPT as a thinking and planning tool, particularly for building a targeted, sensible marketing plan without burnout.

Jackie’s priorities for 2026, including sustainability, clinical depth, and energy management.

David’s plans for a more focused, intentional year that balances business, learning, and life.

This episode is for massage therapists who want to work well, think clearly, and build a year they can sustain.

Links mentioned in the episode

ATMS Integrative Pain Science Symposium (21 Feb, Sydney + Livestream)

⁠https://atms-integrative-pain-science-symposium-2026.eventsair.site/⁠

Massage & Myotherapy Australia Conference – May 2026 ⁠https://www.massagemyotherapy.com.au/Professionalism-and-Excellence/2026-National-Conference⁠

Elevate with Gael – Mini Courses ⁠https://www.massageandspasuccess.com/store⁠

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Theme Music: Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc