We were lucky to catch up with Kelly McGee recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

I recently had the occasion to visit with the founder of the school I attended for my Naturopathy training. She and I spoke briefly about my current studies under another instructor at the school, involving a very complex and technical application of Naturopathy called RBTI. I shared some of my observations, and disclosed some of the things that I really enjoy about this application of our work. I later heard that our conversation inspired the school’s founder to revisit the text and consider a fresh perspective of RBTI.

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.

I first became interested in the healing arts field as a child. When I was helping out in my Aunt’s hair salon, I learned how to give hand massages. When I was a young teen I would soak my Dad’s hands and massage them with ointment after he got home from his construction and maintenance work. I saved my babysitting money to buy a book about essential oils and a book about reflexology around age 15. I called the only three massage therapists listed in the yellow pages of my small hometown to ask them about their experience with massage school. I became determined that I was going to become a massage therapist after graduating from high school, and that is what I did! I have been a licensed massage therapist for 23 years.

My relationship with herbalism really began after suffering a broken arm in 2008, which put my massage therapy career on pause. A very good friend brought me an herbal formula that helped with bone healing, and another that helped with nerve pain. It gave me great relief and I reached out to the herbalist who made the formulas to inquire about an apprenticeship. I began attending classes and shadowing with one of the greatest contemporary herbalists in the US- Darrell Martin of Blue Boy Herbs. I still have the honor of attending and assisting with classes with my mentor and his family.

In 2018, my life took a tough turn when I developed some very uncomfortable stress-related symptoms. A terrible case of eczema covered my hands and arms. After working through an allopathic medical route without much improvement, I began researching and implementing more natural solutions to alleviate my symptoms, and had relief almost immediately. It took work and dedication, but through all natural means, after suffering severe eczema for over three years, I have had no flare ups now for approximately 4 years.

In 2018, at an educational event at Blue Boy Herbs, I met Naturopathic Physician, Betty Sue O’Brian. I was invited to attend the Traditional Naturopathy program at the school she founded, Southern Institute of Natural Health. It has been a wonderful few years, working through the three modules of the Professional Naturopathic Practitioner Certification Program, including Traditional Naturopathy, Medical Herbalism, and RBTI Practitioner. The supportive community of students, practitioners and instructors I have had the pleasure to meet and collaborate with through the school has been an incredible blessing. I aspire to be an instructor of natural means to health and wellness and follow in the footsteps of the mentors who have impacted my life so much.

I now offer massage therapy services, as well as wellness consulting. The beautiful thing about Naturopathy is that there are many ways to implement this approach. Each person is unique and I take into account their personal history and lifestyle as well as symptoms that are present, and imbalances that may be just below their level of awareness. As a Naturopathy consultant, I love to suggest tools that are generally easily accessible, so that my clients can feel relief quickly. Sometimes the session consists of discussion, and sometimes we are doing more hands-on work with their body, and at other times, I am custom blending an herbal formula to help support their wellness goals. I am most happy when I am able to see joy in my clients’ eyes as they begin to feel better!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing a base of over 500 clients is to really connect with each and every one of them. Look them in the eyes and really listen. Active listening is an immense tool for client relationships. What is really going on with them is often found between their words. Reach out to them after their session to follow up, and when you haven’t heard from them in a while. Let them know you are thinking of them and genuinely wish them well. ALWAYS rebook before they leave your office! Let them know you want to ensure they have a time slot on your schedule, and booking in advance is the best way to do that. One of my teachers said, “We will spend 10 minutes talking about the problems and 50 minutes talking about the solutions.” This creates a consultation that is focused on achieving wellness goals, as opposed sessions dedicated to the repeated discussions centered around the struggles.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I broke my arm and could not massage, I went to work as a massage therapy instructor! It was hard to let go of my practice, but I did not have a choice – my hand and arm were badly damaged from the surgical repair of my upper arm fracture. It felt like I would never massage again, so I thought I could at least help others get great massages by teaching. I absolutely loved teaching new massage therapists the skills and techniques they needed to survive. Many of my students have stayed in touch with me. They are all doing quite well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.yournature.care
• Instagram: your.nature.care
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourNatureCare

Image Credits
Cassie Clarkson Photography