We recently connected with Antoine Ratliff and have shared our conversation below.

Antoine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.

For me, the greatest innovation came when I took a course on Aquatic Bodywork. This is massage therapy done in a body of warm water where a person receiving is floating on the surface of the water and the practitioner does massage, stretch therapy, shiatsu, myofascial release, or any other massage style they specialize in. Bodywork done this way allows the recipient to move and unwind naturally instead of manually as they are gracefully guided by the waters rhythmic waves in a comfortable zero-gravity environment. It allows me, as a practitioner, to mindfully practice fluidity and effortlessness as I support the person in the water. It often feels as though I am doing Tai Chi while supporting another person. It is deeply calming, emotionally clearing, spiritually empowering and physically cleansing for myself and the person receiving the session. It has radically transformed the way I do my bodywork “on land”, and certainly been the most innovative move of my massage career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Well, my name is Antoine Lamar Ratliff Jr. , but those that get to know me often call me Lamar. I have worked as a Massage Therapist full time for 8 years and have been running my own traveling practice for 5 of those years. I have gotten extensive training in various massage modalities, such as Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, Watsu, Aquaterics, Heated Himalayan Salt Stone, Myofascial Release, Cranial Sacral, Reflexology, Ayurvedic Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Sports Medicine and several others. My career in Massage originated in my love for energy healing, specifically an evidence-based form of healing known as Pranic Healing. Since my introduction to the art, I have been in a wild love affair with the healing arts and have vigorously sought any possible way that I could be of greater service to the people who crossed my path. My private practice (Antoine De La Mar) is rooted in my personal philosophy of healing through the power of water. From fluid connective movements in my therapeutic massage, to the flowing ocean style of massage that is Hawaiian Lomi Lomi, and the more obvious application of Aquatic Bodywork (Watsu and Aquaterics), everything has an element or focus of water.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

I’ve found that social media, although effective for connecting with friends, family, and potential clients, is overly saturated with advertisements and individuals pushing their services. As it is often more work than it’s worth constantly keeping up with social media advertising, I prefer to reward my existing loyal clientele, friends, and family for referring new clients. Since they are already within the circle of people who hold me in high esteem, there is no need for me to sell myself as they will willingly give honest and positive testimonials to those whom they know would benefit from my services, and they in return receive steep discounts or free sessions for their referrals. One could call it a win-win-win.

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

From my limited understanding, my reputation is founded on 2 things: Education and excellence of service. I strive in every session to exceed peoples expectation of a massage by a wide margin. There are many subtle nuances that go into providing a top quality service beyond just a massage, and these I collect like baseball cards. Paying attention to the slightest needs of clients and serving those needs without being asked is a major part of it. It requires a deep sensitivity and intuitiveness that this body is incredibly fortunate to possess. The Education aspect comes from my having access to high quality instructors from the very beginning of my career. They have shown me the fun and excitement, as well as the sacred practice of healing, and in many ways handed me a great baton, which i feel honor bound to pass on to those who will come after me. I study diligently in each of the arts I offer, and do my very best to be a clear and concise channel of relative information to my clients in order to help them better know themselves and transform their life.

Contact Info:

• Website: antoinedelamar.com
• Instagram: antoine_de_la_mar
• Facebook: Antoine Lamar LMT