We recently connected with Xylia Garcia and have shared our conversation below.

Xylia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Years ago now, when I was finishing up my Associates degree I was at a crossroads in my life. I had been part-time in banking throughout college, I was up for a review, the semester was coming to an end, and I needed to decide: what is next in my life? I knew that traveling was in my future though I couldn’t say when, I knew I wanted to work in my field, which was theater, and I knew that the bank, although steady, was not something I wanted to do the rest of my life. At the time I was living with roommates in the South Houston / Pasadena area where I grew up and the theater scene was nearly nonexistent. If I wanted to do theater, I would need to go into downtown Houston where the theater industry was alive and well. I contemplated moving up to full-time with the bank, this would hopefully afford for me to move into downtown and give me more access to the theater district. But the more I thought about it, the more I feared I would become comfortable in the bank, spend all my time working to afford my new cost of living in the downtown area, and eventually, not have time to do theater at all, and I would end up doing exactly what I didn’t want to do: banking. On a whim I had applied for an internship in San Antonio, where I knew I could move in with my mother while I pursued my dreams, and I was accepted. When it came time for my yearly evaluation, afterwards, my manager asked me what I was going to do next. I shared with her my conflict, that I wanted to pursue theater but it was a risk to give up my job and leave my home for something new and unpaid; versus taking the safer route, moving up in the bank where the money and stability would be guaranteed but risk giving up my art altogether. I remember my manager looking me straight in the face, and with complete confidence saying, “I think you know what you want to do, but you’re scared to do it; and I’m going to tell you, you need to do it.” And with her words of encouragement, I did what I really wanted to do. I quit my steady job, packed up my car and my dog, and left my hometown for an unpaid internship 200 miles away from all the stability I had ever known. I spent one year working in the theater industry before I decided to pursue massage therapy. From one passion to another. I never expected to find myself working in the wellness industry, but now that I am here, I have realized that my calling to San Antonio was much bigger than I had ever anticipated. It was never about theater. It was about following my heart. It was about taking the risk to do what I really wanted to do, even if I was scared. It was about being flexible, adaptable, and instinctive to those things that Spirit had in store for me. Now my work has evolved in so many ways, and yet I still firmly believe that I am doing exactly what I want to do, even if sometimes I am afraid to do it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an Alternative and Holistic Health Consultant, licensed in massage therapy, certified in Integrative and Holistic Health, certified Life Coach, certified Fascia Flossing instructor, and energy worker. What I offer to my clients is a holistic approach to health and wellness, via lifestyle choices, fascia manipulation, and energy work. My clients come in with a variety of concerns, from achy backs to trapped emotions, and I guide them in accessing the power that is already within them to handle these challenges. I think that I am different than most consultants and massage therapists because I approach the concern holistically and I have the credentials to do it; I never isolate an issue, mind, body, or soul, but view it all as one.
I am proud of my individuality and my ability to view things from a different perspective with an array of knowledge. I’ve always been a jack of all trades and with this new title I am happy to say I can be master of all because the things that I know, the things that I teach my clients, are not separate but simply different sides of the same coin. I love helping my clients unlock their potential just by sharing knowledge, offering perspective, and supporting their growth.
The power to change your life for the better is already within you, I can guide you to accessing it.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

TRANSCEND Health Spa set the stage for my growth. I went from working mundane and ritualistic hours in the franchise for minimum pay, to being my own boss and reveling in my spirit given gifts. Working in a space that not only allowed me to be myself, but encouraged me to grow was all that I needed to bloom. Since working with TRANSCEND I have poured money into my education and my craft and I have transcended to a higher form of myself. I never imagined that I would be where I am today, I thought my job as a massage therapist would take me to expected places like physical therapy or medical massage; instead it has shown me the value of approaching wellness from a holistic viewpoint and allowed me to use all my gifts both physical and spiritual. I am so grateful to TRANSCEND for not only supporting me but believing in me to the fullest.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

For me, being myself unapologetically. As a massage therapist I had to recognize that not every client is my client, and how not to be discouraged by that. I no longer allow myself to feel inadequate for being something different than what they wanted. I have embraced that my field is an art form in it’s own right, and those who are meant for me will find me. I am quick to refer my clients to those I think can service them better than I can, and I am not only transparent in who I am but I own it. I am not afraid to be myself. I am not afraid to do all the things, physical, emotional, and spiritual. I make myself readily available to my clientele and I never hold back what is best for them, even if that’s not me. My clients trust me, they trust my treatments, and they trust my judgement, and in this line of work, trust is everything.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: facebook.com/xylialarissalmt
• Other: Insta @xylialarissa

Image Credits
Celina Garcia Castulo Sanchez III