Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amanda Schwartz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

After I graduated from Massage School, I went under the mentorship of an amazing massage therapist. He taught me many of the techniques I know, as well as mentored me through how to run a successful Massage business and client relationships. However, I knew I had always wanted to work for myself, and start my own endeavor. So I amicably branched off from him, found a space to rent, and started my business. The first steps were knowing I had the client volume to survive on my own without working for somebody else to provide the clients for you. There were times where it was scary because you’re never guaranteed a full schedule working for yourself. It’s up to you to market and work to get the customers.

I rented my first room out of a boutique gym. Though it’s a great target market for my practice, I am now just in a regular office space. I would advise people to be unaffiliated with any gum or Physical Therapy/Chiropractic practice as you don’t wanna be associated with their name/reputation. It also makes people in the same industry reluctant to refer people to you as it is a conflict of interest.

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.

Hi, I’m Amanda Schwartz—founder of Schwartz Sports Massage in Santa Barbara. I specialize in working with active individuals, athletes, and anyone looking to feel stronger, looser, and more in tune with their body. My journey into this field was deeply personal: I’ve always been passionate about movement and wellness, but I also struggled with injuries and physical burnout from pushing myself too hard. That’s when I realized the vital need for recovery—and how often it’s overlooked.

I started Schwartz Sports Massage to bridge the gap between traditional spa massage and functional, movement-focused bodywork. I offer sports massage therapy, which blends deep tissue work, trigger point release, myofascial techniques, and mobility support. My goal is to not just help people feel relaxed, but to help them perform better—whether that means lifting heavier, running further, or just moving through life with less pain.

The problems I solve are common but often misunderstood: chronic tightness, limited range of motion, nagging injuries, or simply not feeling 100% in your own body. My work focuses on getting to the root cause—not just treating symptoms—so my clients can recover faster, train smarter, and reduce the risk of future injury.

What sets me apart is the intention behind every session. I don’t believe in cookie-cutter routines. I tailor each treatment based on your body’s patterns, your lifestyle, and your goals. I also bring a strong understanding of biomechanics and recovery principles, so whether you’re a runner, lifter, yogi, or weekend warrior, you’re in good hands.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my clients place in me. Seeing someone go from pain and frustration to confidence and fluid movement is the most fulfilling part of my job. I’m here to support not just your physical health, but your overall sense of wellness and empowerment.

If you’re new to my practice, I want you to know that this is a space where your body is heard, respected, and supported. I’m not just here to give a massage—I’m here to be part of your recovery team. Your goals become my goals.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber has been one of the most impactful books on my journey as an entrepreneur. It completely reframed how I thought about running a business, especially as a solo practitioner in the wellness space.

When I first started Schwartz Sports Massage, I was operating almost entirely from the mindset of a technician—I was focused on delivering great bodywork and helping my clients feel better. But what The E-Myth helped me realize is that just being good at your craft isn’t enough to sustain and grow a business. You also need to step into the roles of manager and entrepreneur—to think strategically, create systems, and build a brand that can function independently of you.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the idea of working on your business, not just in it. As a massage therapist, it’s easy to get caught in the day-to-day hustle of appointments and client care. But The E-Myth encouraged me to zoom out and start building a business that could grow sustainably, offer a consistent client experience, and even expand beyond just me in the future.

It also made me more intentional about how I schedule my time, market my services, and streamline my client intake and follow-up processes. I started thinking less like a freelancer and more like a CEO—one who cares deeply about the mission of recovery and wellness, but also understands the structure needed to support that mission.

This book is a must-read for anyone in a service-based business, especially wellness professionals like myself who want to avoid burnout and build something that lasts. It’s not just about profit—it’s about creating freedom, impact, and long-term sustainability in your work.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

Yes—because I truly love what I do. Helping people feel better in their bodies, supporting their recovery, and being part of their wellness journey brings me so much fulfillment. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything that doesn’t involve healing, movement, or helping others feel more empowered in their own skin.

But also no—because as much as I love this work, it’s not sustainable long-term in its current form. Sports massage is incredibly hard on the body. My forearms, shoulders, and thumbs take a beating, and the physical toll adds up over time. There’s also the challenge of scaling: it’s difficult to grow beyond yourself when your business is built on personal connection and physical skill. Finding someone who can represent your work ethic, your values, and your quality of care—and then trusting they won’t take your clients and go—is a very real and very delicate risk.

So while I wouldn’t change the path that brought me here, I’m always thinking about ways to evolve—whether that means integrating education, mentorship, or expanding into services that allow me to help people without breaking down my own body in the process.

This career has been a gift, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But I’m also learning to honor the reality of what it takes—and what I’ll need to shift in the future to keep doing what I love in a sustainable way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.schwartzsportsmassage.com
• Instagram: Schwartz_sports
• Yelp: Schwartz Sports Massage
• Other: Google business: Schwartz Sports Massage