The Plus One Theory
The Plus One Theory Podcast explores how small, intentional actions can create big, lasting impacts in our personal and professional lives. Each episode features inspiring guests sharing their experiences with kindness, resilience, and the transformative power of doing just one more, The Plus One Theory in action.
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The Plus One Theory
Episode 24: Breaking Through: The Healing Power of Massage Therapy
Massage therapist Renee shares his journey from pharmacy tech to master therapist and reveals how therapeutic touch can unlock both physical and emotional healing. This conversation explores the science of fascia, the mind-body connection, and practical approaches to incorporating massage therapy into your wellness routine.
• Finding passion through massage therapy after a childhood of receiving healing touch from his grandmother
• Developing technical skills through extensive education including over 1,000 hours of formal training
• Creating safe spaces where clients feel empowered to speak up about their bodies
• Understanding fascia as the connective tissue that holds our body together like an orange peel
• Witnessing emotional releases that instantly dissolve physical tension
• Preparing the body before surgery and supporting healing afterward through therapeutic massage
• Recommending monthly massage sessions as preventative care rather than crisis intervention
• Assigning "homework" between sessions like targeted stretches that take only 5-10 minutes daily
• Practicing self-care through receiving regular massage, counseling, physical therapy and proper nutrition
• Finding the right massage therapist who listens deeply and creates a nurturing environment
If you are interested in Oak Haven Massage, give them a call at (210) 492-0440 or visit them online to see all their locations to find the one closest to you! https://oakhavenmassage.com/
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This podcast is all about exploring how we can apply the Plus One Theory to create ripples of positivity and purpose in our personal and professional lives. I’m especially excited to feature guests who work in heart-centered careers—nurses, teachers, counselors, nonprofit leaders, caregivers, or anyone who dedicates their energy to helping others.
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Hey friends, welcome back to the Plus One Theory Podcast. I'm Pam Dwyer, author, speaker and someone who believes that growth, healing and transformation don't have to come from giant leaps. They come from one small, intentional step at a time. That's what the Plus One Theory is all about. If you're new here, let me break it down real quick. The Plus One Theory is a mindset that says you don't need to do it all at once, just do one more. One more kind word, one more healthy choice, one more moment of clarity. When we apply that idea to our health, relationships and mindset, the results are powerful. And, by the way, I'm not a doctor or a licensed mental health professional. I'm sharing from lived experience, deep conversations and a heart for helping others grow stronger, one step at a time.
Speaker 1:And speaking of growth, this episode is part of our Health and Wellness Month series, where we feature amazing guests who have dedicated their lives to helping others feel better, heal from within and live more balanced lives. Of sitting down with Renee, a skilled and compassionate massage therapist at Oak Haven Massage, one of the most trusted and well-loved massage therapy clinics in Texas. Oak Haven has several locations in San Antonio and Austin, and they are known for their incredible team of professionals who truly care about your body, your stress and your healing. Rene's insight into physical tension, emotional release and the power of human touch is something I know you're going to love. He shares not only how massage can support your physical well-being, but also how it plays a role in emotional and mental health. So, whether you're listening on your walk, during your commute or while taking a well-earned moment for yourself, settle in, because this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged, informed and maybe even ready to book your own massage.
Speaker 1:Let's get into it. Today I'm honored to welcome someone who truly understands the healing power of touch. Let's get into it. Management, pre and post-surgical care and deep relaxation therapy, especially for chronic areas like the neck, back, hips and shoulders. His belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself is at the heart of everything he does. Clients say they leave his sessions feeling not just refreshed but restored, and I can personally attest to that. Rene, welcome to the show.
Speaker 2:I'm so glad you're here, thank you, pam, so good to be here with you.
Speaker 1:Well, why don't we, before we get into all this, why don't we, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself, sure?
Speaker 2:I got into massage because of my grandmother. I've had a low back issue since I was in middle school and I'd get locked up where I couldn't move. So she'd bring me into her bedroom and tell me to lay on her bed.
Speaker 2:And I couldn't because I was so locked up, so she'd knock me over and I'd fall onto her bed and then she would go ahead and use her thumbs to roll out these marble sides and knots along my spine and I would just bite down on her bedspread in pain and so much pain. But then I'd get up, I'd feel better, I could breathe now. I was so stiff but I could breathe and I could walk and I can sit and says ah. So that those experiences over always stayed with me and as I was trying to create myself again, to figure out what I want to do next in my life, I was a pharmacy tech, specialized in chemotherapy in my previous life. Oh wow.
Speaker 2:And I decided to take on massage as a part-time job, to go back to school, to be a middle school math teacher, so that was like beginning of 2006. So I decided okay, let me go to, let me try massage first, because this semester I'd already started, so let me do massage. Do that because I have schools difficult, so I knew I couldn't have a full-time job. So I thought massage would be perfect. I could do part-time and I could pick my hours and who I want to work with. I could do my own thing. But every day I showed up to class and, man, I was already working a 40-hour-a-week job and going to night school. For this I my 40-hour-a-week job and going to night school for this.
Speaker 2:I loved it. Oh gosh, every day I was excited to get into class. If the teacher would let us leave early, I'd be upset Like what do you mean? I've got 30 minutes, man, we've got 30 more minutes. Like ugh, yeah. So my goal in high school was for my teachers not to remember me at the end of the school year.
Speaker 1:Not to not remember. Yeah.
Speaker 2:So going to massage school and going, hey, being the one asking questions, so many questions that the teacher would tell me I can answer that yet no, no, you're not there yet Going. Ah, let's do this. Um, really changed my view of learning and being passionate about something. So I've been studying massage since 2006. I didn't get licensed in 2008. I did a 300-hour class in San Antonio, didn't finish my training. I finished my training. I even took an extra 100 hours of training. But I didn't like my training. I didn't feel ready.
Speaker 2:So I took off to Boulder, colorado, and I studied there for another year and a half, but full time. So a thousand hour program and that thousand hours. I still took another 185 extra hours in that time period. And then they said, hey, stay another six months to get an associate's degree. I said, okay, I'll stay another six months to get an associate's degree and you kind of get to major in something. So you do medical massage and you do all this clinical stuff.
Speaker 2:And I chose sports and orthopedic work, very technical based. I decided you know this technical thing, I want to develop my sense of touch. So I double majored and did zenshatsu, which is working meridians like rivers of energy that run through the body. Which? How do you supposed to feel? These supposed rivers of energy run through the body, but they have found them. Now they actually can tell with red, and people who know this work can actually tell the different textures of each one. Fascinating, uh, but I don't. I didn't leave there wanting to study that, but I took those classes, spent lots of money, lots of time learning it because I wanted to build my intuition, my sense of touch, and my teacher was so cool that I told her all this and she still yes, you can take my classes. Yes, so I kind of double majored and, yeah, made it back to San Antonio, worked two years and then made it to Oak Haven. I've been here at Oak Haven 14, going on 15 years. Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:That is an incredible story and it's the epitome of the plus one, because the plus one theory is all about going above and beyond and taking extra steps, small incremental steps into making a larger impact. So what's really cool is when you do find your passion right and then you're all in. Yes, Because I've had different paths that I've taken, but I was never as excited as I am about writing and about helping people. But I noticed that was your goal on the onset right. It's just to help people with touch.
Speaker 2:Yes, that's it. Just, my first goal was to have people feel better than they walked in the room. That was it. That was my goal, and then after that, I was like I don't know what's come out better. Can I provide a space for them, then, to feel safe and secure and listen to and nurture, taken care of?
Speaker 1:oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:So it's like okay, I can create that. And we kept going from there to what else this work can become and how it can be a part of something greater, and the whole philosophy that you'd mentioned at the beginning of the body has innate ability to heal itself. I remember hearing about Christopher Reeves, so Christopher Reeves played Superman when I was a kid, he was the Superman I grew up with.
Speaker 2:And he had a bad accident where he fell off a horse, broke his neck and was paralyzed from neck down and they said he wouldn't ever be able to use his limbs. But yet he wanted physical therapy and, sure enough, I forgot how many years it took. Years of time it took he actually got movement in his fingers and they thought this was impossible, this wasn't going to happen. Was that from the therapy that was, from the therapy that he got, he was able to get movement in his fingers and he was even able to use a motorized vehicle because he had movement with his fingers. That he can move around now, which nobody thought was possible.
Speaker 2:So that idea that hey, no, the body can heal. I used to listen to a guy that got hit by a truck on a bicycle, broke his back. They wouldn't put these Harrington rods and I've worked with clients with these rods and it's, yes, you can walk now, but you're in pain the rest of your life. And they'd come in to see me for an hour and a half to two hours just to get a few hours of relief. It wasn't like days, really, just a few hours. So he decided not to do it, even though he's a chiropractor knew what was going on and still was able to heal himself going.
Speaker 1:There's something greater here going on right, there's the mental connection, the mental connection to the physical need. So you probably see that a lot with all of your patients. Let me ask you this how many patients, how many clients do you think you have that you work on on a regular basis?
Speaker 2:Oh goodness, that's a good question.
Speaker 1:Just a guesstimate. Could you say how many in one day?
Speaker 2:Six to eight in one day. I'm here four days a week. I'm putting in 32 hours to 36 hours a week. Gosh, yeah, goodness, how much would I see 120 people in a month. But some of those are recurrent every week, every other week, every three weeks, every four weeks, every other month.
Speaker 1:And you still get some new ones every now and then, I'm sure, every now and then get some new ones every now and then.
Speaker 2:Every now and then get some new ones and um I I usually about once every other week I'll get a new person that shows up and there were a referral, or they've been waiting for a while to get in with me, or I had a cancellation.
Speaker 2:That happened right in, slammed them right in and um yeah, and we, and with the new ones is a whole another reminding myself, okay, what it's like at the beginning, because we've built rapport already. They're scared. There is this new environment for them. They got to take off their clothes there's no room by themselves in a quiet room and the dim lights, with this stranger was about to touch them yes, all over their body all over their body and to reassure them that it's going to be okay.
Speaker 2:I'm only going to expose the body parts. We're going to work To check in with the pressure, to tell them that they have the power to tell me it's too deep, it's not deep enough, I'm in the wrong spot. Yeah, I'm going to refer somewhere else. They don't like the technique I'm doing. They have the ability to say something and speak up for their bodies, and I love it when we go from that, from somebody who doesn't know their body or is uncomfortable in the room, asking me like, is it tight there? Well, they can't feel this. Yeah, this is crazy tight, or no, it's not, but they can't feel this either and then working with them so that they start learning their body, feeling their body, and then they're the ones coming going hey, yeah, I yeah, I've got the shoulder pain, but I think it's coming from my hip Like, okay, we go to the hip.
Speaker 2:And 99% of the time they're right. And if they're a woman, it's 99.999999% of the time they're right. And it's wonderful to see that transition of them empowering themselves to speak up like no, I do know my body, I do know what I'm feeling.
Speaker 1:Yes, and helping them see that they know their body better than they think they do. I remember the first time I came to you I was very nervous, especially being a woman that's going to a man to massage me, yes. But I was in a lot of pain, very uncomfortable, and I had tried all the doctors out there, all the specialists, and I just I was at my wits end and everyone kept saying, well, maybe it's mental. I'm like, well, it could be, but I want to know. And so everyone kept saying find a guy, because their hands are stronger, because I knew I needed some really deep tissue Get in there.
Speaker 1:And so I remember the first time I came and I was nervous about it, but man, it was probably about 10, 15 minutes in and I was already comfortable and relaxed Because you're so professional, even when we have to flip the way you do your sheets what did you call it?
Speaker 2:You all have to learn how to do the sheets, I'll do draping. Draping, that's right. Proper draping.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Where we feel like, okay, you're not going to watch the girls flap all around there.
Speaker 2:Exactly. No breeze coming through. Everything's nice and tight yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, and just getting someone comfortable too on their stomach.
Speaker 2:Yeah, especially on your stomach, and you don't know where the therapist is. What are they doing? What are they doing back there? What are they touching? What's?
Speaker 1:going on? Yes, so how long do you think it is, on an average, for a new client to start feeling comfortable? Is it usually 10, 15 minutes in, or is it just different every time? Yeah, 10, 15 minutes.
Speaker 2:You got those first few minutes. It all starts when you say hello. Yeah, it starts at the beginning when they say hello. When someone comes up to you and sees you, yeah, not just yelling your name across the hall, but comes up to find you and like, oh hey, they see you take a moment to introduce themselves. Then you go back into the room, then you share their story, but not the entire story when you get on the table already. So it's just like give me enough to get started so I'll guide people through that. So people have an idea in their head Most people have an idea in their head of what they want, but they don't know how to express it. So that's my job and to figure out what is that massage, that perfect massage, that reason why they're here today, and help find that and then deliver that for them.
Speaker 1:Well, and at what level? I mean, like some people have the misconception that massage is just all about a foo-foo thing. I call it foo-foo, like a Swedish massage, where you go in and it's just a feel good thing. There's no therapy involved, except maybe mentally. You know it's relaxing, yes, but you know, know therapy. Okay, let me ask you that what's the difference between massage therapy and just what do you call the other type of massage?
Speaker 2:Just a relaxing massage.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just a relaxing massage. So do? People sometimes come see you and they don't know the difference.
Speaker 2:Yes, because in every industry there's what my boss, dr Shilak, used to say there's jargon. So what's a Swedish massage? What's a deep tissue massage? What's a sports massage? What's a shatsu massage? What's everything there is. What's myofascial release, what's trigger point, what's lymph? Everyone has their own way of defining everything. So when a client comes in saying, hey, I do tissue massage, so I want sports massage going, great, what does that look like? What does that mean? It's gonna happen today's session. So my my goal and walk in is with our focus. From there I get to figure out where we're gonna go what are the issues?
Speaker 2:yeah, we want to relax today. Mm-hmm, do you want to concentrate on some specific? And is this some specific? Something that bothers you, that keeps you up at night, that keeps you from playing with the kids or being at work? So I know the degree of how intense I'm going today, and then, once I know that, yes, we're gonna focus on something, or we're gonna focus on something but still do a full body, then I'm going okay, do you want me to guide those muscles so you don't feel any pain it's a little uncomfortable but it's not painful or you're like no, I want let's do this, drop some elbows in there and let's get to work.
Speaker 1:Okay, because everyone's different.
Speaker 2:Everyone's different.
Speaker 1:But I know I've heard you say so many times when you're working on me that the body can heal itself, but you have to just open things up or allow things to flow. You've said that many times to me. But have you seen that actually come to be? I mean come to fruition? I mean, have you seen it happen with people?
Speaker 2:yeah, so um, for, for, or if you let me break down on the physical, just simple thing of the fascia that surrounds the body. So to give you an idea of what the fascia, people can hear us out. It's imagine an orange, and if you would take that orange, peel off and all that follows around that orange, that's our fascia, it surrounds our entire body. This fascia has more proprioceptors on it than our muscles, so it knows where we are in space. This fascia has more proprioceptors on it than our muscles, so it knows where we are in space. It's the reason why we can touch our finger to our nose with our eyes closed. It can tell us when a fly has landed on us. And the fascia also allows the body to relax, contract, to move.
Speaker 2:So if you would then take just a slice of that orange out, you notice you didn't have to cut it out like apple or pear, it's already pre-packaged. Every muscle is pre-packaged in its fascia, not just entire body, head to toe, but each muscle is wrapped up in the fascia. Now take a bite out of that slice and you notice there's no juice. Doesn't just start pouring out of it, right, but the juice is in there. It's also pre-packaged, pre-wrapped, so our body isn't like droplets, like inside the orange, it's fibers within fibers, like a rope or a cable, and each piece is wrapped in fascia. So if we can get that fascia to unravel, unwind, then, wow, you have range of motion. Now, wow, the pain goes away. Yes, just with that, everything flows, everything flows.
Speaker 1:But what do a lot of people want to know? What caused it to wrap up like that? Yes, that's a really good question. I know I always ask you, that's really another question.
Speaker 2:They're like what did I do to cause this? Yeah, what's usually the case? My wish is to get to that point that I can answer that question, but it's everything. It's because it could be dehydration, nutrition not the right electrolytes in the body. It's been overworked, it's the most been so overworked. It's shutting down Trauma, it's just pretty much you name it. The body's going to feel it. A memory, a memory simple as okay. I remember working on someone the other day couldn't get this knot to go away, so finally I went back three times. It wouldn't go away. I had a little bit of time. At the end I went back. I just rested on it just to feel this for a moment, feel what it's like. And I guided her through the. What kind of pain was it? Sharp, burning, achy, sore, just trying to help her focus in, focus in. And then we were just quiet for a moment and then they just let go.
Speaker 1:I was like whoa, it just released. It just released. Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:Evaporated, that wasn't me, just released, evaporated, that wasn't me. I'm just leaning on it. So I ask her what just happened. She says my mom took over my wedding and I just got back from my honeymoon and I just decided to let her like. It's okay, I got married, the wedding was good, the honeymoon was fantastic. I can let that go and then not disappear. And I've had things like this happen a lot, from a boss, from a spouse, from a situation that people are holding onto and you can feel it, and all of a sudden they have a memory of something and they acknowledge that memory, they let it go, they forgive, and it just softens and goes away.
Speaker 1:See, that is the miracle of the mind, I think, because stress, stress is the number one reason people are sick. It will literally cause your body to be sick in every way. Every way yes, and if you don't learn how to mentally release the stress, then it starts wrapping things up tight doesn't it, it does. Yeah, so I bet you can tell if a person's more stressed than the other person by their muscles and their tendons and their whole body.
Speaker 2:Most of the time, yes, oh gosh, yes, yes. And women tend to have a little more stress on their body, because I think women are the glue of the family. The man, just hey, I'm going to do this, there's a roof over their head, there's food on the table, hey, bills are paid. But the mom, she's the one that's the emotional well-being of everybody in the house. Does everybody get along? They're worried about the situation each kid's going to go to. Next, what they're going to experience at school, what's happening. They're caring so much more than I don't think men realize. I don't think they've asked their wives how much more is going on, because now doing this work, oh my God. I'm so humbled by what moms can do, oh my gosh, and how they take care of all of us.
Speaker 1:Well, just the fact that you recognize that is huge, because you're a dude, you're a guy and you see that that women do. I remember my big fat Greek wedding. Did you ever watch that movie?
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I saw the first one yes, and so how the mom and the dad and the dad she goes. Your father is the head of the family, she goes, but the woman is the neck yes, she's turning the head, she's guiding the way it goes. But I personally have had a lot of surgeries and I know that the last one I had, you worked with me beforehand, pre-surgery to get my stomach area ready for it, and so you worked with the muscles and you worked with all of that and I'm telling you post-surgery was so much better than all the other surgeries because you helped me with that. Do you do that a lot? Work with trauma and pre-surgery, post-surgery? I mean, do you work with that a lot in people?
Speaker 2:Yes, when they know about it. So if it's someone I'm working on already, I can suggest this to them and because we have a relationship, they'll come in. Usually I want two to four sessions before this procedure and we start unraveling the tissue.
Speaker 1:Yes, getting it ready for the protrusion.
Speaker 2:Exactly when they go in there and slice it. Nice thing that surgeries are getting less and less invasive, but still invasive. So we're prepping the body for all that. Make sure everything is ironed out it's loose, it's functional, it's supposed to. There isn't really a dysfunction going in besides the injury or whatever is happening, then we can. It just helps the healing process that much more afterwards. And then a couple, a few more sessions after the procedure were great. I've even gone to the hospital to see clients in hospitals. They're like let's do this right away, as soon as you get out of the hospital. Yeah, you're all bandaged up, but we can still touch.
Speaker 1:It's therapy at its best because you're taking the area that was. I mean I've had so many surgeries that I without that and then I've had it. You helped me with it pre and post and man, it's a huge difference. You help me with it pre and post and man, it's a huge difference. So anyone listening, go to a therapist, a massage therapist, and then get some therapeutic work done before and after any surgeries you might be having.
Speaker 2:Yes, and it helps also when the person's combining the massage with the client doing their homework whatever it is hydration, stretching, muscle connection, light weights, whatever it is physical therapy with the massage I see a faster increase. And for clients who are like no, no, no, I don't want to see other physical therapists, no, I'm not doing this, we're just going to do this, it's like okay. Well, now I need like two sessions a week.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:So we can get the job done better.
Speaker 1:Well, that's where we're going next. So how do you explain to a person that they need to get consistent therapy instead of just a one time? I'm in crisis, yikes, I can't move my shoulder. Save me, you know. Instead coming in and doing a little pre-maintenance work so that we prevent that. Preventative care, preventative care, yeah.
Speaker 2:Okay, so preventative care for people will vary. People are highly stressed every week, every other week, and they know what, at the level that they want to perform their day-to-day tasks, whether if it's family life, is it corporate life, their own business, whatever it is, they know they have a certain expectation of how they expect to show up at work and perform.
Speaker 2:So I want to meet them at that level, like, okay, you wouldn't perform at this level, let's figure out what it takes on the massage part to keep your body keeping up with you. Yeah, but then on a general basis. For most people I say once a month, that's my general guideline, just once a month. And that one month it's not just hey, I got a massage, I'm leaving Either an hour, hour and a half. However people schedule their sessions, it's okay. We checked into that body.
Speaker 2:Right now, at the end of the session I'm looking at expressing to the client or during the session Okay, there's tension in the leg today. We didn't have this last time. So your homework for these next four weeks is and I may give some stretches, or, if they're seeing a trainer or physical, there's somebody else like, hey, I'd have to know about this muscle and this is your homework. Maybe you're going to roll this out, maybe you're going to do some extra stretches, maybe you're going to do some hydrotherapy, maybe, whatever it is, I'd ask them if they would give 10 minutes a day to just look at this.
Speaker 1:Yes, and it can be 10 minutes.
Speaker 2:Yes, it can do for 10 to 5 minutes a day and it places your mind, reminds you like, hey, I have this dysfunction or I have something off right now. Let me take care of this before it comes something. So, okay, let's see how well you did after that month. We got you again in four weeks. Let's check in. Oh, did that heal? Did that open up? Did you spend enough time there? Is there something else going on now?
Speaker 2:So I use the monthly as a check in so people can see where are they at now. Where are they holding? Are they a little more stressed than usual? They're more active than usual. Where's that problem? Address that problem, give them information of how to help with that, with that particular problem, and then send them on the way. But they walk away with hopefully being a little more empowered about their body. Oh, I, I know what's going on. I know what I need to work on. Okay, I only have five minutes a day. I know exactly what I need to do. I don't have my full 50 minutes hour to do my workouts. I've got 10 minutes. What do I need to pay attention to? And they can target that.
Speaker 1:That is exactly what we try to teach people and that's why we've named it the plus one theory, because you take small incremental steps and massage therapy is is the epitome of that. You know you can't. It's not just a one and done thing, it's something that you need to constantly make, monitor and maintain and if there are issues you can take, like stepping stones right, take steps to get better, to make a difference, and then it empowers your clients. It empowers me, I know, when I'm trying to figure something out about why do I limp, why does it hurt when I take my three mile walk? Why does my left leg start killing me? Or my hip? You know, and you'll see. When I come see you, you'll sit me down and say, okay, what's been happening, and I'll tell you and you'll be like you make a mental note. I can so see it in your eyes. I'm so going to that shoulder, but it makes a big difference to come in on a consistent basis.
Speaker 2:Like anything else in life.
Speaker 1:I know right.
Speaker 2:Consistency is the key right.
Speaker 1:And just being mentally aware? And do you notice that when you're living your passion this is so I love asking this when you're living your passion and what you think your purpose is on this earth, which I think you feel that way, right, it completes you inside? Oh yeah, you know, but I'm sure you still have bad days and good days, when you're tired. But that's how you do these hours, I'm sure of it, because you love it. I love it, you know, and each and every client is a different case. You learn something, probably every time.
Speaker 2:Yes, but you're applying yourself to something you love, yeah, and I get to be of service and I love it yeah.
Speaker 1:And not everyone loves service, and that's okay, yeah.
Speaker 1:You know, everybody has their, their, one fuzzy, um, but I just want people to appreciate that in a, in a therapist like yourself, how much heart and soul goes into what you do. So it's not just getting on the table and having someone rub you in the right all the sore spots, it's someone that really cares about your health and your mental well-being. So we should take time to appreciate that in a person, I mean, that does that for people. Oh yeah, that's the kindness that I try to talk about. Take three seconds to recognize that that person is living their life to help you be better, you know.
Speaker 1:For sure I know, and that's the kindness that we need in this world is to take a moment, take a deep breath first, evaluate ourselves, yeah, but then appreciate the person that's helping you overcome it, whether it's mental, physical or whatever it is. Yeah, I, I see, and that. So what is your take? Is that your take, too? The plus one theory? Does it apply to your line of work? Do you agree?
Speaker 2:Yeah, not just my line of work, but for people also that when you feel good, when you do something for yourself, you have more patience for others.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:You do something that's right for you, that you're speaking your truth, you're living your truth, you have more patience than others and you give that kindness back to the rest of the world. So if I get to help somebody in session where I remember a gentleman came in so irate, so mad red red red. He's like I don't know if I can get a massage, I'm too upset, I'm too mad. He was so upset at his boss oh gosh, he didn't. He's like I don't know if I can get a massage, I'm too upset, I'm too mad. He was so upset at his loss. Oh gosh. He says okay, in a perfect world, if I can help you get off all this stress, what would you like to feel at the end of it, bernie?
Speaker 1:I'd like to feel like a fluffy bunny oh like, yeah, man, red angry man saying he wants to feel like a fluffy bunny, let's do it.
Speaker 2:Let's do it so. And then when he left there, I asked hey, so fluffy bunny, Like I'm in that direction, I'm not going to hurt anybody. Going home, like I feel much calmer now, I was like good, do you want to send him out in traffic? Oh, irate already, who knows what he's going to get into.
Speaker 1:So these moments that we could do for ourselves, Well, I do want to take another brief moment just to brag on you, because all the hours you spend it's not just in physical therapy, you also spiritually, you know mentally. I know that you do a lot of research, a lot of study, a lot of self exploration in that area. So talk to me a little bit about that. How important is the spiritual aspect of massage?
Speaker 2:Okay. So, as a therapist, you start seeing enough things happen in session that you start seeing like, wow, there's something greater than myself working here, because how did I know to go there? What gave me an idea to go check that out? I've never done that move before. I've never done that before. What? You're just observing yourself work, all of a sudden, like your hands are being taken over. You're like how interesting, because they do that again. Like I don't know what. I just did something, just which move was it? I don't know what happened. I was, I'm just observing and flowing, um, and the stillness that this work brings there's, there's. Sometimes we don't. I don't talk for two, three hours with people, not in a three-hour session, but I do those sessions well, not when I'm on the table.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we're conversing, we're connecting, we're seeing where, um, where your life is taken, and for anybody, it's a moment to check in with oneself. What's happening on Wednesday? Where's life taking us? Where's the kids taking us? Where's the job taking us? What are we carrying? What are we building on? Are you carrying 100 pounds of extra load on your shoulders? How can we lighten that load? What do you need to talk about to get off your chest? What ideas do you have about your life and about your future? What ideas do you have about the person you want to become? Next? Let's talk about and explore that, and as we're working through the body, so as we start finding someone's truth and their light starts shining, it's like yeah, stuff starts unraveling.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's meditative as well.
Speaker 1:It is and, as you find, the zone it's hard for me to sit in silence, but I try to. I try to work on that with meditation myself. But I, I, you and I are alike where we want to please, we want to help, we want to heal, we want to do it. My, we want to heal, we want to do it. I use words for that, but you use your hands and you use touch, but there is a mental telepathy between people that want that and for no other reason except just to provide peace in the world, right and balance.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 1:Balance is so critical, and I'm sure balance is all very important in massage therapy, isn't it?
Speaker 2:Yes, I've been doing this 19 years now. So just to show what I do for myself to stay sane, to stay healthy during this is I give my massages at least every other week. Most of the time I'm trying for every week, so that's why I end up doing every other week. It's still I get it. I see a counselor that I've seen regularly for 14 years, every month to check in with the mental aspect of everything.
Speaker 2:I have a physical therapist that's a personal trainer, physical therapy. I always see him as my physical therapist because the knowledge he has and what we're doing it's to make sure that my body's functioning, because I'm such a just like someone who's at a desk all day long and they're stuck in that position. They need to do the opposite. I'm stuck doing certain movements all day long and I need to make sure the rest of my body is moving the way it's supposed to, right, so I can stay healthy. And then you keep tracking nutrition, because I want to be alert and awake and I realized that for me, having a frozen pizza before going up to work doesn't help me the next day, it's like the brain's too foggy. So I know what I need to eat to maintain, and because I work long hours in one day sometimes nine to 12 hours going at it that I need to make sure the hydration is there, the nutrition when I do eat. That it is something that's going to fuel me for what I'm doing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, For the next client Exactly. But if you don't take care of yourself, if you're not eating good, clean food and moving your body and paying attention to your mental and physical health and I think that's with any job- right, exactly. So we have to take care. If we find our purpose, we find our passion, we have to go above and beyond to take care of ourselves so we can continue to do it. Yes, Right.
Speaker 2:Yes, this job has helped me take care of myself, because I will want to be 100%. I want to be ready and be available for people, definitely.
Speaker 1:Man guys, if you need any type of help, physical therapy of any sort, a great starting place would be O'Kaven Massage in San Antonio. Renee, I will say I have to book like a year in advance every month for the year, because everyone loves Renee, Even the girls at the front desk. They're just like how was your massage the last week? I'm like, well, it was Renee, so sweet.
Speaker 1:He cares immensely. He is the kindest soul I've ever known, he does amazing work, he knows his stuff and he continues to educate himself and learn how to help you heal mentally, physically. And that that is the plus one theory at its best.
Speaker 2:So thank you, renee for that it's.
Speaker 1:It's not common, you know, but we're trying to make it be for the world. I just want people to understand how much better they will feel if they heal all the things shame, anger, you know, fear, all those things that live inside of them. And massage can help with that. Yes, it can help heal that in yourself. It's not the only thing you can do besides journaling, because I gave you a journal.
Speaker 1:I can't wait. Yes, you share your feelings. You may not even know that you have an issue, but it takes, you know, journaling so that you can look two or three weeks back and say, wow, I see a pattern here. Yep, or maybe even, just if you do go get massage therapy, make notes about each time you go, because I do realize when I come see you a month later I kind of don't remember what we did. You know, I remember the trouble areas, because usually there are trouble again, but I try to remember. So I journal every conversation. We have everything that I thought that would be so cool if I tried this, like the fascia release. You told me about the tools I can use. Oh yeah, fascial blasters.
Speaker 2:Yes, those hurt. Scraping, cupping bone rollers, yeah.
Speaker 1:It's not comfortable, but it does get easier as you do it more. Yes, I'm finding, and so you could even feel a difference when I started.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, oh yeah, there's a shift.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah. So anyway, it's you helping me and me helping you. We're just all loving on each other.
Speaker 2:It is just, oh, it's wonderful. And then that's why you can go at it for so long, because it's just flowing.
Speaker 1:Well for so long, because it's just flowing Well and everyone's applying their own plus one and healing their journey.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and their clients are on their own. Plus one Is this pressure too much? No, I know I need it. It's like they're right there. They're going to go a little bit farther. I'm going to take a little more pain right now so I can feel better later.
Speaker 1:Well, and then describing the pain, because I do want to note that, because massage therapy it's a lot of pressure and it can be uncomfortable at times, but not unbearable. And so Renee will ask is that a burning pain or is it a sore and achy? He wants me to describe the discomfort as he's still doing it by the way.
Speaker 1:Maybe that's your tricky way, I don't know, but I do find that if I relaxed and lean into whatever it is you're doing, it subsides. It's not as uncomfortable. If I fight it and tense up, then it's going to continue to hurt. You can't get into the layers that you need to get into Correct.
Speaker 2:So it's not always about taking the most pressure possible. It's what can I take today? Today might be a sensitive Today might be only the weight of my arm, that a person can take, and that's it. I was like that's fine, we're going to do some change with that.
Speaker 1:And one more thing before we go. What do you recommend? 30 minutes, an hour, hour and a half?
Speaker 2:My go-to for everybody would be an hour and a half.
Speaker 1:An hour and a half. An hour and a half Because this can examine the whole entire body.
Speaker 2:We're going to look at the whole body and go at it from there.
Speaker 1:Okay. So if you're going to gift this to someone you think is very stressed and could use the help, and they're just never going to do it on their own. I've bought so many gift cards, you know, for people, but I always get an hour and a half for them because that's going to allow the therapist time to establish Okay, we've been over the entire body and these are your areas that I'm concerned about.
Speaker 2:Yes, right, yes, and once I know the person's body, I say, hey, 25 minutes, you don't have time to come in the next week, let's just do a 25-minute session. Just to knock it out, go straight to the problem, open it up, send it in the way you can have the rest of your day to keep going.
Speaker 1:Small incremental steps. I know I sound like a broken record y'all, but it's true. Anything you want to try to do to improve your life, you don't have to do it all at once. You know you can do it in small steps, stepping stones to the goal.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and if you don't know what that goal is, just start talking about it, start journaling it.
Speaker 1:And all of a sudden it starts appearing. You start getting more clarity of wow, where am I going with this? What is unraveling here, or even allow it to show you. You know, that's the other thing too. You know, I thought at first when I started massage therapy, I thought I can't afford to do this every month. But then I realized how useful it is, how it makes me a better person in all aspects, and so I don't eat out as much, maybe twice, right, and then I can go get my therapy from Renee. Oh, yeah.
Speaker 1:You know so.
Speaker 2:And for people also, it's there when they find their therapist for them. It's, it's, it's find the right fit for you. It's does this person listen to me? They touch me in a way that is nurturing, healing, um, and it's what you feel is your need at the time. You need someone more professional. Even myself, when I get work done, I'll work with someone the most amazing therapist in texas. We have a place here in san antonio and in austin and I'm always blown away with these people of like wow, I know nothing, yet it's like well, how'd they do that?
Speaker 1:It's hard for me to believe anybody's better than you are. I mean really.
Speaker 2:It's amazing. So, and depending what I'm feeling, what I want to feel, I need someone who specializes in shoulder. No, I need a safe place. I'm stressed out and I need someone who's just going to help me sink into my body so I can look over my stresses, so I can make some choices in my life. My brain's going too fast. I need to slow down so I know who to go to for whatever I need.
Speaker 1:Well, and you train new massage therapists, right, don't you train them? New licensed therapists, newly licensed therapists you them New licensed.
Speaker 2:They're newly licensed, I work with them, I do some education training as well here for Oak Haven, and it's another way I've learned how I can continue to be of service. You can't hold on to all the knowledge. You got to share it, and many years ago I learned that if you want to learn something, we'll teach it to somebody else. That has helped me tremendously.
Speaker 1:I can attest to that because doing this podcast and writing the Plus One Theory book which is not published yet but I'm working towards that but even writing my first book from the Piney Woods, I was healing myself by writing that story, sharing my journal entries, and then I started talking to people about it and I was learning so much more by sharing my story. It's infectious.
Speaker 1:It is, and you're sharing your story and your passion. Who knows, someone could be out there that wants to be a massage therapist now, because they have always thought about it but they never really thought about pursuing it.
Speaker 2:Right. Even when I have massage therapists here that they don't even know if they really want to do this work, learn the practice of mastery. It says, okay, it's, why are you here? Okay, so you figure out what you want to do, then why are you doing massage? Okay, so you figure out what you want to do, then why are you doing a massage? Try to master this and in doing so, if you decide to change your mind no, I'm going to go to physical therapy. No, I'm going to go be a physical therapy assistant. No, I'm going to go do anything else what more am I going to do? She just wanted to be a home. She didn't adjust, she wanted to have a family. It's just perfect.
Speaker 2:Master this because you try to train yourself, whatever you're doing now, how to master this. Whenever you switch to something else, another job away from corporate, that you are mastering. That you already set yourself the tools needed to excel and learn and push yourself. That, no matter where you go to next, you already know how to do all that work. It doesn't matter what you take up, what the topic is, what the job title is. You've already been doing it your whole life or this whole time. That when you switch over, it's like no big deal. You already know how to do the hard work, so you're going to blend into whatever. It is that much easier.
Speaker 1:Well, and it's just like I say use pain for purpose, but also the education that you're giving yourself with life experiences, different jobs. You're still not happy, you're not content. Never stop looking, just keep looking for that, the thing, your passion, because then it's no longer work. Some people tell me all the time I could because, then it's no longer work, right?
Speaker 1:Some people tell me all the time I could never write a book. I'm like well, have you lived a life? You've got a story. Why don't you tell me the story and I'll write it? Because I can't wait to write. It's very therapeutic for me, but it's not for everyone.
Speaker 2:But maybe telling stories you know I like what you said on your podcast, that everyone's a storyteller.
Speaker 1:Yes, everyone has a story and how we get it out there isn't? It's important to get it out because it's going to help someone else learn something you know, or they'll be able to relate to it and not feel so set, so isolated in their in their lives, and quit beating themselves up with shame and guilt. It just it touches all the places, all the things, and so just lean into whatever's happened in your life, just lean into it and use it. That's what I say and I say we end on that note. Renee, thank you so much, and please call Oak Haven Massage, like you said. They have several locations in San Antonio and Austin and all of their therapists are, you know, specially trained and have been with this company for many, many years.
Speaker 2:Yeah, average lifetime massage therapist is like five to seven years. I think the average life time for average therapist here has at least eight years, which is a huge sign this is a great place to work.
Speaker 1:It is a great place for you to learn and better your skill set and your craft, and they care, and that is the biggest thing. Thank you, renee. Thanks for being with us. Wow, what a powerful conversation with Renee from Oak Haven Massage. I hope his insights gave you not just a better understanding of massage therapy, but also reminded you of how important it is to slow down, listen to your body and take those small steps that lead to big changes over time. That's the essence of the Plus One Theory to big changes over time. That's the essence of the plus one theory. Just one more step, one more healthy habit and one more moment of self-care.
Speaker 1:Now, before we wrap up today's episode, I want to talk about something very personal bariatric regain. Many of you know, and some of you don't, that I had bariatric surgery five years ago and it completely changed my life. But here's what people don't always talk about what happens after the weight loss? The mental battle, the fear of regain, the shame when the scale creeps back up, the feeling of failure, even after you've worked so hard. I'm here to tell you that you're not alone and you haven't failed. We all have setbacks. What matters is how we respond. That's where the plus one theory comes in again. You don't need to do everything today. Just do one thing Make one good choice, speak one kind word to yourself, take one more breath, move forward not perfectly, but intentionally Monday, june 2nd, where I'll be presenting my talk. The Plus One Theory how to Finish Stronger Than you Started and the Three Ms of Bariatric Success Mindset, motivation and Maintenance.
Speaker 1:This message isn't just for those who've had bariatric surgery. It's for anyone on a weight loss or wellness journey, because, no matter how far you've come or how many times you've stumbled, you are still in the game, you still have what it takes and you're never too far gone to come back stronger than ever. So, whether you're navigating regain burnout, self-doubt or just trying to figure out your next step, know that I am here for you and I'm cheering you on always. If this episode inspired you, encouraged you or made you feel just a little more hopeful, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who might need it. And don't forget to head to pambwirespeakercom to join my email list, check out my books and follow along for more speaking. Thank you, yes, it's live now. If this podcast has ever encouraged you, challenged you or made you feel seen.
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