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

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I’ve always been impulsive, and truthfully, some of my best decisions have come from that impulse. My nursing studies gave me more compassion and clinical knowledge and my bodybuilding journey taught me discipline and resilience. Together, those experiences led me to open my business, Well by E, a place where movement and pain management come first, but where care goes far beyond the physical.

I realized that what I offer is so much more than treatments; it’s soul care. It’s about receiving people exactly as they are whether they are ill, in pain, or perfectly healthy and giving them the space to be seen, cared for, and restored. My defining moment was realizing just how much impact I have on others by inspiring them to build healthier lifestyles, helping them find joy and relief after a treatment, or simply creating a moment of deep relaxation.

That realization showed me that every path I’ve taken: nursing, bodybuilding, personal training, massage therapy and esthetics was never separate, but always leading me here. All of it ties together in what I do today. After years of searching, program changes in school, falling down & a lot of trial and error, I feel like I have truly found my purpose, and I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

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

My name is Elizabeth, and I wear a few different hats! I’m a nursing student, competitive bodybuilder, certified personal trainer, and the founder of Well by E Massage Therapy & Skin Bar. I’ve been a professional bodybuilder for two years, and I fell in love with the sport because it provides a powerful mix of mental challenge, structure, and discipline. At the same time, my care and empathy for others have always been strong, and the healthcare sector has fascinated me since the beginning which is why I chose nursing as a career path. With my knowledge of anatomy and movement, I decided to open my own massage business, and now I’m expanding into advanced skin services. I combine all of my educational and clinical knowledge from bodybuilding, nursing, and personal training to create a complete multi-experience for my clients to treat injuries and provide a moment of relaxation in our busy world.

I started Well by E because I wanted to create a space where science meets soul care. I specialize in massage therapy and results-driven skincare, offering services like deep tissue and Swedish massage, and soon, facials, and corrective skin treatments for acne and age management. What sets my approach apart is that I see the person as a whole: whether you come in with pain, stress, skin concerns, or simply a need to reconnect with yourself, I treat the body, but I also hold space for the mind and spirit. I’ve taken many different trajectories such as nursing, bodybuilding, personal training, massage and they all tie together into the way I practice today. My healthcare background allows me to provide clinical, results-driven treatments, while my personal training certification and bodybuilding experience give me a deeper understanding of movement and recovery. I have extensive knowledge of the body and its functions, and that expertise shapes every treatment. When you step into my studio, you receive a fully personalized experience tailored to your unique needs, blending science, empathy, and soul care.

The problems I solve are as varied as my clients themselves: easing pain for someone recovering from training or injury, helping a stressed professional finally relax, helping cancer patients reduce stress, guiding clients through long-term skin health, or simply creating a safe place for people to feel better in their bodies. What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to have by seeing clients leave with not just less tension in their muscles or clearer skin, but a glow of relief and joy.

What I want people to know about me and my brand is that Well by E is not just about treatments, it’s a whole experience, a journey even, from the moment you walk into my space. You will be listened to, cared for, and everything is customized to you. It’s about transformation. My work is rooted in the belief that health is wealth, and that every act of care we give ourselves ripples into every other part of our lives. That’s why my clients don’t just come for a massage or a facial. they come for soul care. The experience is a journey, because true healing takes time, and the power of touch has the ability to release not just tension, but even traumas. That is the part of this work I am most proud to share.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A few years ago, I was completely lost and frustrated. I had dreams of becoming a doctor, but COVID forced me into online learning, and I struggled deeply with my science classes. Eventually, I dropped out and felt demoralized like I wasn’t smart enough compared to my peers. I entered university without clarity, tried psychology and didn’t connect with it, then marketing, but it lacked the empathy and human connection I needed. I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere.

Eventually, I decided to retake my science classes, and that’s when I discovered nursing as a path toward cosmetic injections and medical aesthetics. Dermatology had always fascinated me, especially as someone who struggled with their own skin, and for the first time, I felt like I was on a path that combined both care and science. Around the same time, I also discovered bodybuilding, which gave me structure, discipline, and a new sense of identity. Those two pieces, nursing and bodybuilding, became turning points that gave me direction again.

The biggest pivot came when I realized I didn’t have to choose just one identity. I could take my clinical knowledge from nursing, my discipline from bodybuilding, my foundation in personal training, and my empathy for others, and build something unique. That’s how Well by E was born, a space where science and soul care come together.

The lesson I’ve learned is that pivots aren’t failures; they’re redirections and that life and success are not linear. Every path I tried and left behind, every time I felt like I didn’t belong, was preparing me for what I do today. I went from feeling lost to stepping into a purpose that feels exactly where I am supposed to be.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Other than training and knowledge, I think the most important thing for succeeding in this field is empathy and presence. Anyone can learn techniques, but what truly sets you apart is the ability to connect with people: to listen, to notice the small details, and to make someone feel safe and cared for. Whether a client comes to me in pain, stressed, or simply wanting to feel better in their skin, they need more than a physical treatment. They need to feel seen.

Discipline and consistency are also key. My background in bodybuilding taught me that showing up day after day, even when it’s hard, creates results and that applies to building a business too. Success does not know what tired is. It only knows if you showed up regardless of how you feel on that day. It is pushing passed the feeling of being discouraged or overwhelmed by setting your feelings aside and still doing what has to be done. But ultimately, it’s empathy, resilience, and genuine care that allow you to not just succeed, but to build trust and make a real impact in people’s lives

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wellbye.square.site/
• Instagram: well.by.e
• Other: personal instagram account: @li2zie25

Image Credits

Image credits Sherina Shantelle Photography for massage photos