We recently connected with Sasha Sumling and have shared our conversation below.
Sasha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?
When I decided to start my own practice, I was a stay-at-home mom of three, with my youngest heading off to kindergarten. It felt like the perfect time to do something for myself. While I loved being home with my kids, I wanted more than the daily routine of laundry, dishes, and soap operas. I craved something that was mine, something I could build and grow. At the same time, I didn’t want to return to the rigid 9-to-5 business management job I had before. I needed something flexible that allowed me to be present for my kids while also pursuing my passion.
One day, while out running, I was wearing the wrong athletic shoes and ended up with a severe shin splint injury. I had to attend physical therapy for six weeks to recover, and during that time, I fell in love with the environment of healing and the dynamic between therapists and clients. I saw how they helped people both physically and mentally, and it sparked an ‘aha’ moment for me. I realized that I wanted to do something similar, help others heal and feel whole again.
I started researching what it would take to become a physical therapist, but ironically, every time I searched online, massage therapy kept popping up. At first, I dismissed it, thinking of stereotypes like ‘happy endings,’ but the more I researched, the more I learned about the incredible field of medical massage therapy. I became intrigued and excited about the idea of using therapeutic touch to help others heal.
I enrolled in massage school, completed the required 500 hours of training, and discovered that as a licensed massage therapist, I could specialize in any modality I wanted. I didn’t want to do what I considered the “normal” massage therapy, so during my studies, I discovered pregnancy massage. While there was only a brief session on it, I was fascinated and wanted to know more. That was my lightbulb moment, I realized I could specialize in pregnancy massage. As a mom of three, I had firsthand experience of what pregnancy entails. I could genuinely relate to my clients and their needs because I’d been there—not once, not twice, but three times.
That realization became my ultimate goal: to help, to heal, and to give back to my community in a meaningful way. I wanted any time I spent away from my kids to be valuable and purposeful. I went on to earn my Texas Licensure and National Board Certification, completing an additional 500 hours of continuing education exclusively in prenatal and postpartum massage therapy. With that specialized knowledge, I built my practice around supporting moms through their pregnancy and postpartum journeys.
For the past 14 years, I’ve proudly offered pregnancy and postpartum massage therapy and Birth Doula services. Ironically, I always felt like this was where I was meant to land. When I first told my husband I wanted to study massage therapy, specifically medical massage therapy, we jokingly made a pinky promise that I wouldn’t work on men. We laughed and said, ‘Well, as long as there are no pregnant men, I’m in a good niche!’ And that’s exactly what happened.
Today, my practice is a reflection of my passion and purpose: helping moms feel seen, supported, and cared for during one of the most transformative times of their lives. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful every day that I followed this path.
One of the key challenges I faced in setting up my practice was finding the right location. Location, location, location—it’s everything! I wanted to stay as close to home as possible, which was essential for balancing my work and family life. Fortunately, I’ve always managed to keep my office within about 10 minutes from home. This allowed me to schedule clients around my kids’ school hours when they were younger (now they’re 28, 23, and 21). I worked from 8 AM to 2 PM, made it to the bus stop by 3 PM, handled homework, after-school activities, and then was back to work the next day.
Choosing a location wasn’t just about convenience for me, but also about accessibility and attractiveness for my clients. It’s important to pick a spot that’s not only easy to reach, ideally near a major highway or a central area, but also physically appealing. You want a location that feels inviting and safe for your clients. For someone like me who works with pregnant women, it’s critical that they feel secure and comfortable coming to their appointments. A location in an area that’s clean, well-maintained, and free from safety concerns is key. Clients shouldn’t feel uneasy about traffic, parking, or the environment when they come for a massage.
Other important factors include ensuring the building is ADA accessible, with elevators for clients who have physical needs, and providing plenty of parking to make the experience as stress-free as possible. The goal is to create an environment where clients feel cared for from the moment they arrive.
If I could go back and do anything differently, I might have spent even more time researching high-visibility locations with better curb appeal and parking to maximize both safety and client convenience. But overall, keeping my practice close to home and focusing on accessibility, safety, and a welcoming environment has been instrumental in building a successful practice.
Sasha, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am Sasha Sumling, wife of 22 years and proud mother of three adult children. My husband and I have raised our family in the Cypress area for over two decades. Fourteen years ago, I became a licensed massage therapist and have since specialized in pregnancy and postpartum massage. My services include pregnancy massage, labor prep massage, labor induction massage, bed rest massage, breech presentation massage, postpartum massage, and infant massage therapy.
In addition to massage therapy, I am a certified Evidence Based Birth® instructor. I offer Evidence Based Birth® childbirth classes, focusing exclusively on empowering the Black and Brown community.
The problems I solve for my clients are rooted in providing physical, emotional, and educational support. I help women alleviate pregnancy-related aches and pains, recover from childbirth trauma, and prepare for the various stages of labor. I also address the fear of the unknown by teaching them how to self-advocate, make informed decisions, and ultimately have a positive birthing experience.
What sets me apart is my ability to combine massage therapy, education, and personal experience as a mother. I provide a holistic approach that not only relieves physical discomfort but also empowers women to feel confident and supported throughout their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum journey.
What I am most proud of is being able to serve over 650 clients over the past 14 years. I started working part-time to balance my career with raising my children and later transitioned to full-time as they grew into adulthood. My husband and I are incredibly proud of our three adult children, who are all college-educated and thriving.My youngest daughter is now following in my footsteps in her own way, becoming a child life specialist, where she will advocate for sick children in hospitals. She also has a minor in American Sign Language, which will allow her to advocate for children who are Deaf in medical settings. She’s even teaching me American Sign Language, so I can expand my services to support the Deaf community. This will allow me to provide the same compassionate care I offer my other clients while addressing the unique needs of those who communicate using ASL.
Ultimately, my goal is to continue serving and empowering women during one of the most transformative times in their lives, while also growing my ability to reach and support underserved communities.
Have you ever had to pivot?
When my youngest daughter was eight years old, I experienced a significant pivot in my life and career. It was shortly after I had started my journey into massage therapy when she was diagnosed with a rare muscle disease called juvenile dermatomyositis. At first, it felt like fate had guided me toward the right path, I thought studying medical massage therapy would allow me to help her heal and feel better. But due to the rarity and severity of her condition, she became hypersensitive to touch, making massage therapy unsuitable for her.
As her condition worsened, I had to make some difficult decisions. I transitioned to a more part-time position to prioritize her care. Her disease progressed rapidly, requiring long hospital stays, sometimes for months at facilities like Texas Children’s Hospital, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, Shriners, and the Mayo Clinic in Washington, D.C. It got so bad that I had to step away from my Birth Doula clients entirely to focus on her.
Being a caregiver is a natural instinct for me, but during that time, I found myself overwhelmed and struggling to balance the roles of being a mom and being a doula. I was putting on the wrong ‘hat’ at the wrong time, trying to be present for my doula clients while also being there for my family. The emotional toll was immense, and I knew I had to make a change.
I remember making a phone call to some of my fellow doula colleagues, as well as a midwife I worked with, to explain my daughter’s condition and let them know I had to step back. Their support was incredible. They assured me they had my back, saying, ‘Don’t worry, Sasha, we’ll take care of your clients.’ I then reached out to my clients to let them know, and one thing that will always stay with me is the grace and understanding I received from these women. They supported my decision to put my baby first with gratitude, patience, and empathy.
That said, stepping away from my doula work was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. At the same time, I was able to maintain a connection to my career by continuing to see my massage clients two to three times a week. On the days I wasn’t at the hospital with my daughter for her infusions and treatments, I worked in my office with pregnancy and postpartum clients. My husband and I rotated responsibilities: on the days I was at the office, he was at the hospital with our daughter, and on the days he worked at his office, I was at the hospital with her. It was an incredibly difficult transition, but one I wouldn’t change for the world.
On the eve of my daughter’s 13th birthday, after years of treatments and physical therapy, we experienced a moment I’ll never forget. After being completely wheelchair-bound for four years, with her joints contracted and unable to stand upright, she was able to stand with a crutch and take her first steps. Her legs were still bent at a 90-degree angle, but it was a monumental achievement, a sign that we were finally turning a corner and that things were going to be okay.
Fast-forward to today, my daughter is now walking independently on both legs. She drives, has a service dog, and is on track to graduate as a senior at Baylor University. Her goal is to become a Child Life Specialist, giving back to her community by being the same kind of advocate who helped her during her hospital journey. She is also committed to advocating for the Deaf community, using her minor in American Sign Language to ensure better access and care for those in need.
Her resilience and strength have not only inspired me but have also fueled my own ability to bounce back and give 100% and more back into my practice. Since her high school years and through her college career, I’ve been able to work full-time, even extending my office hours to Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM, something I couldn’t have imagined doing during those difficult years. Her courage and determination are my power, driving me to heal, educate, empower, and advocate for women and children in my community.
This journey has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. It has shaped me into the professional and mother I am today, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to give back with even greater passion and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.massagemomma.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/massage.momma/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Massagemomma
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/sasha-sumling-4a3339279
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sashasumling5689
Image Credits
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