We were lucky to catch up with Luke Wright recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Luke thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

A major defining moment in my career as a bodyworker, and what was ultimately the driving force to open my business Southpaw Therapeutics, was being introduced to the work of two different therapists, Robert Gardner, MT and Walt Fritz, PT. From there internet content, to one on one consults, and seminars I learned how to move beyond the traditional spa like setting, on a table, with the client nude, using some messy oil or lotion rubbing out “muscle knots”. My practice shifted to an evidence based, pain relief style of therapy where the client is an active participant. I adopted Walt Fritz’s “Shared Decision-Making” approach by regularly checking in with my clients asking them open ended questions to promote awareness of what they may be feeling. I incorporated my extensive background in Yoga to my practice with deep stretching and mobility work as well as breathwork to help calm clients into a more relaxed state. As a bodyworker my job is not to mold your tissue like clay, my job is to inform your nervous system.

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?

I was first introduced to yoga in 2011 while pursuing an acting career. It was advised by my acting coach as a way to help calm my nerves in stressful auditions and become more suble and still on camera. It worked, so well even that I gave up acting entirely and becoming a full-time yoga teacher. Four years later I began massage therapy training for two reasons. One, I always had an interest it. It was yet another practice to help calm peoples nerves and reduce their stress. And two, I was always taught by my mother to question everything. Always investigate further. There have been many changes in the yoga industry in the past decade that have made it less credible. I feel lucky to have found my mentor Sara Turk, ERYT, a teacher whose integrity has no bounds. Unfortunately though for many teacher trainings the quality has diminished as well as the qualifications to become a teacher. As a result Yoga was, and still is, being led with such incompetence masked with confusing mystique. Which is a dangerous combination. I wanted deeper training in anatomy and physiology to help demystify what was being taught in the yoga industry.

Two years after graduating massage school and working in spas and retreats that required me to spout the same mysical nonsense I realize the only way I could practice the way I wanted to was to opened my own business.

I think this is what sets me apart. I don’t work out muscle knots. I don’t release toxins. I don’t perform energy work. I don’t claim to do anything that science isn’t even sure about.

I’d rather be considered an “Unwillingness Influencer” simply to distance myself from a billion dollar industry that exploits people’s health and happiness, dragging them along with courses, treatments, and supplements that have no proof of results soley for profit.

The purpose of my work is to retrain the body to rest. We all know that sleep is when the body heals itself. But how many of us are not fully at rest while asleep? How much clenching and tensing and overthinking are we doing in the middle of the night? Odds are if you’re unconsciously doing these things throughout the day that will most likely follow you into the night. My job is to bring your attention to this habits so that you can relearn how to relax and release and ultimately allow the magic of rest to heal you.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think what’s most helpful for succeeding in this industry is being able to listen to your clients. As bodyworker’s we can make the mistake of getting caught up too much in the modality and techniques we’re using. We’re too focused on pushing our knowledge on the client and convincing them we know what we’re talking about instead of simply listening to how they feel, what they’re experiencing.

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

I offer a very unique service that demands accountability from my clients. This isn’t just a “come in and let me rub you down for an hour and miraculously fix you” kind of service. This requires a certain level of attention and responsibility for your physical and mental state. I believe this level of honesty has allowed me to build a clientele base that is interested in real transformation.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.southpawtherapeutic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southpawtherapeutics/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100015159434542
• Linkedin: Check out Luke Wright’s profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-wright-8b0a2518b
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@southpawtherapeutics4971/about