We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Meghan Bramlett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Meghan below.

Meghan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

Growing up, my parents instilled in me what some might call an “old-fashioned” work ethic. They believed in putting in the effort, giving your best in everything you do. There were no shortcuts, no excuses – just good old-fashioned hard work.

But perhaps even more valuable than their emphasis on hard work was their “no crutches” mentality. What does that mean? Well, simply put, there was no room for self-pity or excuses in our household. If you encountered a problem or faced a setback, you dealt with it head-on. End of story.

I remember countless times when I’d come home from school feeling defeated, ready to throw in the towel. Maybe I’d bombed a test or had a falling out with a friend. Whatever the issue, my mom had a knack for sensing when I was teetering on the edge of self-pity.

Instead of coddling me or indulging my negativity, she’d gently nudge me to snap out of it. “Okay, so you had your pity party,” she’d say with a knowing smile. “Now, what are you going to do about it?”

At first, I’d shrug and mumble something about not knowing what to do. But my mom was relentless. She’d sit me down and calmly ask, “What are the possible solutions you see?” And when I inevitably replied with a defeated “none,” she’d simply say, “You will.”

And you know what? She was right. Every single time, I’d eventually come up with a plan, no matter how daunting the problem seemed at first. Maybe it was reaching out to a teacher for extra help or extending an olive branch to that friend I’d had a falling out with. Whatever it was, I always found a way forward.

Looking back, I realize just how much those moments shaped me – not just as a student or a friend, but as a person. My parents taught me the invaluable lesson that self-pity gets you nowhere. Instead of wallowing in negativity, they showed me the power of resilience, of finding solutions even in the face of adversity.

And that lesson? Well, it’s stuck with me throughout my life and career. Whether I’m navigating a challenging situation in my business or facing personal struggles, I approach it with the same mentality – no crutches, no pity parties, just a relentless determination to find a way forward. And for that, I’ll be forever grateful to my parents.

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.

So, let me take you on a journey through the ups and downs that have shaped both me and my business. It all started back in college when I was studying criminal justice, thinking I’d end up in law enforcement. But life had other plans.

After graduation, I had my heart set on a job doing background checks for the government in New York. But, alas, that opportunity slipped through my fingers. Ever heard the saying, “When God closes a door, he opens a window”? Well, that window turned out to be a whole new career path: massage therapy.

The morning after that rejection, I woke up with this sudden clarity – I wanted to be a massage therapist. It wasn’t just a whim; it felt like a calling. I mean, I’ve always loved helping people, and I had this knack for giving killer massages to friends and family. Plus, the flexibility of setting my own schedule was a huge draw.

So, I went for it. I enrolled in massage school and dove headfirst into learning everything there was to know about the human body – and about myself. Let me tell you, dealing with those emotional demons was no joke. But I came out the other side stronger and more determined than ever.

My first job in the field came out of the blue. During the interview, I must’ve impressed the head therapist because they offered me the gig right then and there. From there, I bounced around to different places, learning the ropes and figuring out what worked for me.

Life threw some curveballs my way – including a couple of car accidents that had me questioning if I’d ever be able to continue. But I refused to let anything hold me back. I took a leap of faith and started my own practice, starting with a tiny one-room office.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve grown my business to a two-room space with a buzzing lobby. And get this – I’m in the process of securing financing for a massive 3200-square-foot office. Talk about a dream come true!

Along the way, I’ve also added coaching to my repertoire, helping my clients on a deeper level as they navigate their own journeys. And I’ve been lucky enough to bring on some amazing folks to join me on this adventure.

So yeah, my journey’s been a wild ride – full of ups and downs, twists and turns. But through it all, one thing’s for sure: I wouldn’t change a thing.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Let me take you back to the chaos of 2020 – the year of the infamous shutdown. Like many folks, I found myself suddenly out of work and staring into the abyss of uncertainty. It was a real wake-up call for me. I knew I had to adapt, and fast.

See, I’ve always been passionate about massage therapy. I mean, there’s something magical about helping people feel better through touch. But when the world went digital overnight, I realized I needed to shift gears. So, I started looking into online services.

But deep down, I felt like there was more I could offer. Like massage was just one piece of the puzzle. So, I went down this rabbit hole of research, trying to figure out what else I could bring to the table.

And then, boom! I stumbled upon coaching. It was like a light bulb moment. I mean, looking back, I’ve always been kind of a coach without even realizing it. Helping folks navigate life’s ups and downs, you know?

So, I dove headfirst into getting certified and learning all about mindset coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). And let me tell you, it was a game-changer.

Nowadays, I’m not just a massage therapist. I’m a coach too. And thanks to the wonders of the internet, I can reach people all over the globe.

2020 might’ve thrown us all for a loop, but for me, it was a blessing in disguise. It pushed me to evolve, to step out of my comfort zone, and to discover a whole new passion. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that.

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

Alright, let’s rewind to 2022 – the year I got blindsided by a nasty car accident. One minute, I’m cruising along, balancing my massage therapy hustle and diving into coaching, and the next, I’m laid up in a hospital bed with my foot looking like it got in a fight with a lawnmower.

Now, picture this – one side of my foot’s all mangled, and I’m feeling every bit of it. Pain, frustration, you name it. And to top it off, there’s this mental wrestling match going on in my head. Depression, old demons making a comeback – the whole nine yards.

But here’s the kicker – I wasn’t about to let a little thing like a car wreck knock me out of the game. So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Two surgeries later – one of them involving a skin graft after my foot decided to go rogue – and I’m back in the game.

Now, let me tell you, recovery wasn’t a walk in the park. But with the support of my squad – family, friends, and my trusty dog – I found the strength to push through.

Eventually, I found myself back on my feet – both literally and figuratively. Sure, I’ve got a few battle scars to show for it – both inside and out. But those scars? They’re a reminder of just how far I’ve come.

Returning to work felt like a victory lap. Every massage, every coaching session was a celebration of resilience – a reminder that no matter what life throws at me, I’ve got what it takes to bounce back.

Looking back on that car wreck, I can’t help but see it as a turning point. It showed me what I’m made of, what I’m capable of overcoming. And you know what? I’m grateful for the lessons it taught me.

Because now, I know that no matter what life throws my way, I’ve got the grit and determination to handle it. And that, my friend, is a pretty powerful feeling.

Contact Info:

• Website: phoenixbodymind.org
• Instagram: phoenixbodymind
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhoenixBodymind
• Linkedin: Meghan F Bramlett or Phoenix Body & Mind
• Twitter: phoenixbodymind
• Yelp: Phoenix Body & Mind
• Other: TikTok is @phoenixbodymind2

Image Credits
The one picture of essential oils i took from canva for a post i did on aromatherapy Phoenix is a metal plague I got from temu