We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Elizabeth Smrdel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Elizabeth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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.

The two biggest risks I have taken in my life was eleven years ago I traveled out to the west coast by myself with only a backpack and starting my own massage therapy business last year.

Ten years ago I decided to fill a backpack, jump on a greyhound bus and make my way out west to explore Colorado and one year ago a decided to take my massage skills rent a space and open up my own massage therapy business in Mentor. Taking risks has been a large part of my life.

Years later after solo traveling out west I came home to practice massage therapy. The experience of solo traveling in my twenties gave me the confidence to take risks, connect with all types of people and to think on my feet. All things I use in my current business.

Both decisions were scary and a big risk but both paid off in profound ways.

Solo traveling taught me to trust in the journey of life, so when I turned 30 and decided I could no longer work for someone, I quit all my jobs I trusted that opening up my own business was a risk I knew would pay off.

Elizabeth Smrdel Massage is a business that I have longed to start for over a decade. The desire to travel pushed me to explore the United States and the desire to help others pushed me to start Elizabeth Smrdel Massage. It has been exciting to see this dream become a reality. I started this business with a handful of clients and desire to help others live a pain free life and I am excited to say that I have reached my first year being self-employed and almost eleven years of massaging. The risk has definitely paid off.

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.

When I was nineteen I had a strong desire to help people and not much direction on to do so. When I started touring massage schools something clicked and I fell in love with massage therapy as a way to help others heal.

I got into massage therapy to help reduce pain in my clients bodies and the more I studied the more I wanted to learn!

I got into this field to reduce pain, then I discovered modalities like Arvigo Maya Abdominal and visceral manipulation, where I could help reduce my clients abdominal pain, help them with digestive issues, and even help with fertility and menstrual pain.

Many of my clients had to get surgeries and needed help recovering so I studied lymphatic drainage and Myofascial release and designed a post-operative massage for my practice to help with the recovery process.

I saw the discomfort and pain my female clients had when the were pregnant and after giving birth so I studied prenatal and postpartum massages to help give them relief so they could enjoy there families and get back to what they love doing.

I love creating solutions and bringing hope to those around me. When I see a group of people needing help I try to study a massage technique that will help support them, I have been doing this for years and cultivated a very unique assemblage of skills to help my clients and customize a massage that is entirely unique for them.

The thing I am most proud of in my massage practice is the customization I can give to my clients and the broad scope of support I can give with all the diverse modalities that I have studied. Whether, you are coming in for back pain, digestive issues, women’s health or swelling I have a way to support you.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I think what helps in succeeding in this field is a deep caring for others and the willingness to really listen to your clients.

So, many times in life and especially in my industry people really just need be scene and heard. A little empathy towards others goes a long way.

I believe part of being a great massage therapist is not only being skilled with your hands but being willing to listen and show empathy towards your clients.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Yes, hands down. There is no other profession I would rather pursue and I feel incredibly lucky that I found a career that I can be successful in and enjoy when I was only nineteen years. Almost 11 years of practicing massage therapy and I still love it.   

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elizabethsmrdemassage.com
• Instagram: elizabeth_smrdel_massage
• Facebook: esmrdelmassage
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
https://arastasiaphotography.com