We recently connected with Jaclyn LaGravinese and have shared our conversation below.

Jaclyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

I used to think success in business meant making more money than I did at my old job. One of the first questions I often got when I told people I’d started my own business was:
“Well… are you at least making more now?”
It’s an honest question, but for me, it planted an internal pressure I hadn’t even realized I was carrying—to look successful by a standard that didn’t truly reflect my values.
In my first two years of business, I barely broke even financially. I felt like a failure.
But over time, I began to realize that success is a mixture of things. Yes, financial sustainability matters—but it’s not the only measure. I had to redefine what success looked like for me.
To get to this place, I had to learn:
• Discipline — to show up consistently and do the hard things
• Trust — in something greater than myself and in the long game
• Contentment — with where I am, while still holding space for where I’m going
Now, instead of obsessing over how far I still need to go, I’m learning to focus on how far I’ve come. I try to measure success by my peace, purpose, and progress—not just a number

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, my name is Jaclyn LaGravinese. I’m a licensed massage therapist and the owner of Radiant Being Massage in Tempe, Arizona.
Honestly, I wish I had a cool, dramatic story about how I got into massage therapy — but the truth is, it kind of happened on a whim.
I was 24 and working as a nanny when my dad suggested I look into massage therapy. My aunt was a massage therapist and had found a lot of success with it, so I thought, why not?
I shadowed her for a little bit, found the closest massage school, and enrolled without giving it too much thought.
I already knew I loved learning about the human body, and I was comfortable with human connection. What I didn’t know at the time was that I was starting something so much bigger than just a new job.
From the very first day of school, I felt a deep connection to the work—something I can’t fully put into words.
I had found my purpose: healing through therapeutic touch, and connecting with people in a way that goes far beyond a handshake or a hug.
Massage therapy isn’t just my career — it’s a huge part of who I am.

Massage, to me, is an art form.
Every therapist brings something different to the table — just like every painting feels different depending on who creates it and who experiences it.
What I believe sets me apart is that beyond helping people relax or easing muscle pain, I focus a lot on nervous system regulation.
I’m paying attention to the little things most people don’t even realize are happening — a twitch, a deep breath, a sigh, a stomach growl, even a swallow.
Those small signs tell me that a client’s body is starting to feel safe, and that’s when real healing begins.
I also really like to get to know the whole person.
I care about what’s going on in their life — work stress, big changes, emotional ups and downs — because all of that shows up in the body, too.
The more I understand what they’re carrying, the better I can help them let it go, even if just for a little while.
A lot of people walk around feeling disconnected from their bodies — whether because of trauma, stress, or just the speed of everyday life.
What I do is help them slow down, reconnect, and feel at home in themselves again.
It’s not just massage for muscles — it’s massage for the whole person.

What I want clients to know:

When a client books a session with me—whether it’s their first or their fiftieth—I want them to know this:

They are safe. They are seen. Their journey is honored.

It doesn’t matter who they are, what they’ve been through, or how much (or how little) they choose to share. They’re not required to explain themselves, perform strength, or pretend to be okay.

Some clients talk. Some are quiet. Both are welcome.

Because when I work with their body, there’s a kind of silent communication happening—between their nervous system and my hands, between their tension and my intention. And in that space, healing doesn’t need words. Just presence, care, and trust.

I’m here for them—fully.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Learning to Truly Own My Business
More recently than I’d like to admit, I realized that when I started my business, I was still running it as an extension of the wellness center I had left—rather than building something entirely new.
Physically, I was in a new location, with a new name.
Mentally, I was still clinging to old mindsets that I had outgrown—mindsets that were quietly limiting my potential, both as a massage therapist and as a business owner.
For example, when I started Radiant Being Massage, I set my prices by simply raising them slightly from what was charged at my former office. I didn’t fully step back and evaluate what I needed financially, what my services were truly worth, or what the market supported. I was still operating from the framework of where I had been, not where I was meant to go.
Realizing this was humbling, but it was also empowering.
Growth is not always clean or obvious. Sometimes, resilience means taking a hard look at the places we’re holding ourselves back—not because we aren’t capable, but because we’re still carrying pieces of an old story that no longer fits.
Since that realization, I’ve begun truly stepping into ownership of my business.
Setting standards based on my values.
Making decisions rooted in my vision for Radiant Being Massage, not in fear or familiarity.
Giving myself permission to grow into the business owner—and the healing vessel—I was always meant to be.
Radiant Being Massage is no longer just a place where I offer massage therapy.
It’s a reflection of my resilience, my growth, and my commitment to serve from a place of integrity, strength, and joy.
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Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started Radiant Being Massage in 2022, after 10 years as a massage therapist—eight of those spent working for people I considered mentors, friends, even family. When I gave my notice that I’d be leaving their office to start my own practice, I expected some sadness or mixed emotions… but what happened stunned me.
They fired me almost immediately. They packed up the contents of my massage room, placed them on the sidewalk outside the office, and scheduled a time for me to come pick everything up.
I was devastated.
I knew leaving a job could get sticky, but I had no idea it would knock me off my feet like that. I felt betrayed and cast out. I questioned everything. Did I make the right decision? That victim mentality hit me hard. It was chaos.
I had a month before my new office space would be ready. No office meant no income. No income meant… no idea how I was going to survive.
This is where God, my family, and friends deserve so much credit. Their love and support held me up. Without them, I’d probably still be curled up on the couch, crying over how rejected and alone I felt.
After many tears and prayers, I started to feel something shift. Like a still, small voice inside me. I felt peace. Gratitude. A love so deep, it overwhelmed me in the most beautiful way.
I had hope again.
Resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about choosing to rise every single time you do. It’s about finding strength in the wreckage and building something new with your bare hands and a full heart. That’s what I did.
I began reaching out to clients I knew and trusted. Some had already reached out to me. I remembered my purpose—and I clung to it. Slowly but surely, the storm calmed. My ship began to right itself.
I realized I was never alone.
No office? Fine. I started doing house calls. I traded my grief for joy and let that spark fuel the excitement behind this new era of my life. After all, this is what I had been working toward all along.
I learned that resilience isn’t just surviving—it’s turning pain into purpose, and walking forward with grace even when your legs are shaking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Radiantbeingmassage.com
• Instagram: @radiantbeingmassage