The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

Dear People-Pleasing Massage Therapist,  This episode is for you. The one who says yes when they want to say no. The one who stays late, over-explains, undercharges, and then wonders why they feel drained at the end of the week.Today, we’re joined by Annette Montgomery. Annette is a massage therapist, micro business owner, and recovering people pleaser and she is ready to unpack something most therapists experience but rarely talk about honestly:People-pleasing is not a personality trait. It’s a business strategy. And it backfires.We get into the real, behind-the-scenes moments:The “whispers” your business gives you before things feel offWhat over-giving actually looks like in a treatment roomWhy resentment is often a boundary that hasn’t been set yetHow scripts can support your nervous system (not make you robotic)The identity shift from “nice” to professionalIf you want a massage career that gives you freedom, flexibility, financial stability, and space for your life outside the clinic, this conversation is a must-listen.- Contact Annette www.annettemontgomery.orgIG: @the_annettemontgomerybfpwellness@gmail.comMore From AnnetteVirtual Membership: Bolstered. For professional massage therapists who are ready to feel supported, inspired + understood in their business. 1:1 work with me blends with community support in the coziest corner of massage groups. HEREI have a few free downloads like an email template for raising rates + one for firing a client HERECE Course: Find your Unicorn Clients: Discover your most ideal, dreamy clients + then use that knowledge to write clear, effective copy + improve how you sell. HERECE Course: The Rich Unicorn: everything you need to know about pricing + raising rates HEREContact The Radical Massage Therapist PodcastKrista Dicks, RMT📧 krista@theradicalrmt.com🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com📱 @theradicalmassagetherapist

Let’s talk about money.Because the truth is- most of us were never taught how to manage the income we earn in this career. That’s where the stress around taxes, time off, and long-term planning starts to creep in.In this solo episode, I am sharing the three money habits that completely changed my relationship with finances — and helped me move from stress and uncertainty to feeling more in control, confident, and supported in my massage career.These aren’t complicated systems. They’re simple, repeatable habits that allow your massage career to actually support your life — not just take from it.If you’ve ever felt behind during tax season, hesitant to take time off, or unsure about your future… this episode is for you.*Thanks for the update - Osteopaths charge HST*🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MOEmail: krista@theradicalrmt.comWebsite: www.theradicalrmt.comInstagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist30 Minute Clarity Chat (On Me) Book HereMentionedTangerine High Yield Savings AccountWant to see why I love banking with Tangerine? Become a Client using my Orange Key 56112811S1, and you could earn $50! Learn more at tangerine.ca/referralEpisodes featuring Emilie McKay#85 How to Prepare for Mat Leave as a Massage Therapist (With Kelly Salvador, RMT)#69 How to Give Yourself Vacation Pay as a Self-Employed Massage Therapist #37 Effective NetworkingTouching on Retirement #6 Changing the Dialogue Around Massage Income with Jana Veltheim, RMT and Owner of Align Massage TherapyFinancial Advisor Thomas Thorne#83 Hope for the Best but then Plan for the Worst

Opening a clinic takes courage. It also takes patience, vision, and a willingness to move forward even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I sit down with Nancy Kahl, RMT, owner of Align Massage Therapy Kanata, to talk about what it really looks like to step into clinic ownership.Nancy’s path to this chapter was anything but linear. After graduating as a massage therapist in 2002, she stepped away from the profession and spent eight years working in mental health and recreational therapy, supporting individuals living with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, anxiety, and depression.Eventually, she returned to massage therapy with a deeper understanding of the nervous system, emotional labour, and the realities of caring professions.Six months into opening her clinic, Nancy shares what she has learned about leadership, building a supportive workplace, navigating uncertainty, and creating a practice that feels meaningful for both clients and practitioners.We also talk about something that many therapists experience but rarely name clearly: the mental load of practice and how it differs from physical fatigue.This episode is an honest conversation about growth, resilience, and building something steady over time.If you’ve ever thought about opening a clinic, returning to massage after time away, or designing a career that supports your life outside the treatment room, this episode will resonate deeply.🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO-Contact Nancy Kahl, RMTInstagram @liftxbadgerxcycleContact The Radical Massage Therapist PodcastKrista Dicks, RMT📧 krista@theradicalrmt.com🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com📱 Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapistMentionedAlign Massage Therapy KanataRecreational Therapy in mental healthMohawk College (guest lecturing experience)Sanford Fleming College (Massage Therapy program)“The Man in the Arena” poem by Theodore Roosevelt

Massage therapy can give you incredible freedom — freedom of schedule, freedom of lifestyle, and the ability to build a career that actually supports your life. But that doesn’t happen automatically.In this solo episode, I am sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how I organizes my week first for me and then as a massage therapist and clinic owner to protect my energy, stay motivated in the profession, and continue enjoying the career I have built.These are not complicated productivity hacks.They are realistic routines that help create a sustainable massage career that supports life outside the clinic.In this episode you’ll learn:• Why protecting your energy is one of the most important parts of a long massage career• How simplifying everyday decisions can reduce stress• Why designing your schedule before clients fill it can change your entire career• The routines that help Krista stay healthy, organized, and happy as a massage therapistIf you’ve ever wondered how to create more freedom, flexibility, and longevity in your massage career, this episode offers a simple place to start. 🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MOMentionedMackenzie Chilton: @loveyourmondaysGoodfood Try today with 70% Off LesMills On Demand Pilates on BeechwoodMentorship My Free 15-Minute To Clarity Chat: ⁠Book here

Gentle note about about medical and surgical references in this episodeIn this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist, I sit down with Bobbi-Jo Corbett, RMT, to talk about something that deserves way more attention in our profession: scar tissue and hypermobility.Bobbi-Jo treats what she calls “like a weirdo” — meaning she questions the default, follows the research, and approaches scar tissue gently, strategically, and systemically. We talk about why scar care isn’t an add-on… it’s healthcare. We explore the snowball effect of poorly treated scars, the ripple effects on our healthcare system, and how massage therapists can step into a bigger role.Bobbi-Jo has taken the leap to share her experience and unique approach to treatment and educate practitioners on scar tissue treatments with online and in person workshops. We also dive into hypermobility — what it actually looks like in real bodies, how it changes assessment and treatment, and why some of our go-to techniques might not be as supportive as we think.This conversation is about curiosity. It’s about evolving your lens. And it’s about building a career that keeps you mentally engaged, professionally growing, and excited to show up.🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MOContact Bobbi-JoInstagram: @rmtbobbijo.cKrista Dicks, RMT📧 krista@theradicalrmt.com🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com📲 @theradicalmassagetherapist

Topic Warning: Mental Health. Death and End of Life Care. Menstrual Cycles. Harry Potter. Sex and The City. I am sharing some of the most impactful advice I've implemented in my own massage career — insights that didn’t require another certification, workshop, or degree, but did require some Radical Massage Therapists sharing their journey on the podcast.Drawing from conversations with past podcast guests, I'm exploring how the treatment environment influences client outcomes, how massage therapists can create their own paid time off, why syncing your schedule with your menstrual cycle matters, how clear cancellation policies protect your nervous system, and what it looks like to hold compassionate boundaries in emotionally heavy work like palliative care.This episode is an invitation to stop waiting for permission and start shaping a massage career that supports your health, finances, and life outside the treatment room.🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO-Explore The Episodes Mentioned: #146 Jamie Smith: Massage Therapy Deserves Better Treatment Rooms#069 Emilie McKay: How To Give Yourself Vacation Pay As a Self-Employed Massage Therapist #063 Samantha Storozuk: Go With The Flow And Sync Your Schedule #115 Christine Anderson: Breaking Free From Cancellation Burnout#128 Olivia Sadler: Compassionate Touch. Massage Therapy For The End of Life--Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast 📧 Email: krista@theradicalrmt.com🌐 Website: www.theradicalrmt.com📲 Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist--

What if building a sustainable massage career didn’t require more hustle, more techniques, or more sacrifice?In this episode, I chat with Michelle Ratz-McGuire, RMT and hypnotherapist from Waterloo, Ontario, for a grounded, honest conversation about designing a massage career that supports your life—not the other way around.Michelle shares her journey from social work to massage therapy, why she transitioned to a mat-based, Thai-inspired approach, and how addressing money mindset, boundaries, and nervous system regulation changed everything. This episode explores what it really takes to earn well, protect your energy, and enjoy your work long-term—without abandoning hands-on care.If you’ve ever thought “must be nice” while scrolling social media, struggled with over giving, or wondered how to make this career feel better day-to-day—this conversation is for you.🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO-Contact MichelleSocials @rmt.michelleWebsite: RMTMichelle.comFreebie: reverse engineering your income goals https://rmtmichelle.com/incomegoalsMentioned in This Episode For the full list check out The Radical Massage Therapist Contact The Radical Massage Therapist PodcastEmail: ⁠⁠krista@theradicalrmt.com⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠www.theradicalrmt.com⁠⁠Instagram:⁠⁠ @theradicalmassagetherapist⁠⁠Let's Chat- 30 Minutes to Clarity (On Me): ⁠Book Here

In this solo episode, I'm sharing the six questions that come up again and again in mentorship calls with massage therapists. These questions span pricing, scheduling, clinic loyalty, mobile massage, clinic ownership, and the desire to grow without doing more hands-on work. Through real mentoring stories and practical frameworks, this episode offers clarity, permission, and actionable steps for building a sustainable massage career.Topics CoveredRaising rates without guiltCreating balance without abandoning clientsLeaving a clinic while honoring yourselfBuilding a mobile massage practice with structureClinic ownership clarity and lease red flagsExpanding your career without adding massage hours🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠Jane.app⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO__Contact The Radical Massage Therapist PodcastEmail: ⁠krista@theradicalrmt.com⁠Website: ⁠www.theradicalrmt.com⁠Instagram:⁠ @theradicalmassagetherapist⁠Let's Chat- 30 Minutes to Clarity (On Me): Book Here__Mentioned in this episode; Fear Setting- Why you should define your fears instead of your goals | Tim Ferriss | TED#075 How to Use Ghost Appointments in Your Massage Practice

Jamie Smith, a former massage therapist turned interior designer and founder of Happy Haüs Studios, designs restorative treatment rooms using biophilic design and neuroaesthetics. She explains how clinics can feel more nervous-system safe. Topics include lighting, sound, clutter, storage, nature-inspired art, and practical design must-haves to support both clients and practitioners.

This solo episode is a candid reflection sparked by my chat with Amy Bradley Radford on her podcast Massage. Business. Success.The thoughtful questions Amy prepared created space for real reflection — the kind we rarely slow down enough to do.I wanted to share more in this episode about what it means when your business quietly becomes the boss, how defining success as a full schedule can limit freedom, and why ownership (even as an independent contractor) changes everything. I also share a behind-the-scenes update on her upcoming meeting with an Ontario MPP regarding OCF-18 forms, how I prepared, and what advocating for our profession actually looks like in real life working alongside the RMTAO.This episode is about leadership, responsibility, mentorship, and building a massage career that supports time freedom, financial security, flexibility, and joy outside the treatment room — not one that quietly drains it.This Episode is brought to you by Jane.app 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO-Mentioned in This Episode:Amy Bradley Radford – Massage Business Success PodcastExtreme Ownership – Jocko Willink (I liked the audiobook)Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO)Episode #139 – The Voice at the Table with Michael FeradayEpisode #140 – Define It to Deliver It: Client Expectations with Amy Bradley RadfordNo Hurry No Pause: 17 Questions that Changed My Life from with Krista Dicks, RMTTim Ferriss – 17 Questions That Changed My Life -Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast📧 krista@theradicalrmt.com🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com📸 Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist