We were lucky to catch up with Shannon Livezey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shannon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Looking back, there wasn’t one single lightning-bolt moment that changed everything for me, it was more like a quiet unfolding that gently but persistently led me to where I am today.
My journey into Avodah Massage Therapy really began with a deep, personal desire to care for others in a meaningful way. Early on, I was drawn to holistic health, but it wasn’t until I experienced the power of touch in my own life that something truly shifted. As a parent, I saw how something as simple as a loving touch could soothe, calm, and connect. I watched it comfort my children, help them feel safe, and support their emotional growth and that left a lasting impression on my heart.
At the same time, as I began exploring massage therapy professionally, I witnessed similar transformations in others. It wasn’t just about easing physical tension, it was about creating a space where people felt seen, supported, and at peace. That overlap between my personal life and my professional path felt too meaningful to ignore.
The turning point came when I realized that I didn’t just want to practice massage I wanted to create something centered around families. I understood, deeply, that when one person in a family is cared for, it has a ripple effect on everyone. That realization inspired me to seek out specialized training and ultimately led me to create Avodah Massage Therapy as a space where care, connection, and healing could be shared across all ages.
If there’s one lesson my journey has taught me, it’s to trust those quiet nudges, the moments that stir your heart and keep showing up in your life. They often lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. For me, that path became one of purposeful, empathetic care, rooted in the belief that healing is even more powerful when it’s experienced together.

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 background and context?

At the heart of my work is a deep belief that people heal best when they feel safe, supported, and truly cared for, especially during the most tender and transformative seasons of life.
My journey into this work grew from both professional curiosity and very personal experience. I’ve always been drawn to holistic health, but it was through my own life, especially as a mother, that I truly came to understand the power of touch. I saw how the body holds onto stress, emotion, and even birth experiences, and how gentle, intentional care can help release that in a way that feels both grounding and restorative. That realization shaped everything I do today.
Through Avodah Massage Therapy, I’ve created a space that centers around families, not just individuals. A large part of my work is devoted to supporting mothers during pregnancy and postpartum. A time that is beautiful, but often under-supported. I feel deeply called to care for mothers in the way a village once would have: offering nurturing, hands-on support, a place to rest, and space to be held without expectation. Whether it’s relieving physical discomfort during pregnancy, supporting recovery after birth, or simply creating a moment to breathe, my goal is to make sure no mother feels alone in that season.
I also offer mom-and-baby bodywork sessions, which are incredibly special to me. These sessions allow for connection and bonding while gently addressing things like feeding challenges, tension from birth, or overall regulation for both mom and baby. I’ve taken additional training in lactation counseling so I can better support families navigating feeding concerns, latch issues, or discomfort that may be impacting both baby and parent.
For babies and children, I provide pediatric bodywork using gentle, effective approaches like Craniosacral Fascial Therapy. This work can support little ones experiencing colic, tension, difficulty feeding, or general unease, and it’s always done in a way that honors their comfort and cues. I also work with older children who may be dealing with stress, sensory challenges, or physical tension, helping them feel more at ease in their growing bodies.
In addition to family-centered care, I offer specialized therapeutic services for adults, including somatic massage therapy, intraoral work, and Craniosacral Fascial Therapy. These modalities allow me to work with clients who may be experiencing more complex concerns such as; anxiety, chronic tension, nerve pain, or symptoms that haven’t been fully understood or resolved elsewhere. Many of my clients come to me feeling like they’ve tried everything, and my role is to listen carefully, to both them and their bodies, and support them in finding relief in a gentle, collaborative way.
I also incorporate supportive tools like red light LED therapy into my sessions when appropriate. This can help promote healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance the body’s natural recovery processes, complementing the hands-on work in a subtle but powerful way.
What sets my work apart is the way I blend thoughtful, specialized training with a deeply personal, intuitive approach. Every session is tailored. Every story matters. I take my time, and I meet each person exactly where they are without rushing and without assumptions.
What I’m most proud of is the space I’ve created. It’s a space where families can exhale, where mothers feel held, where babies are met with gentleness, and where healing is approached with patience and care.
If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that you don’t have to navigate these experiences alone. Whether you’re preparing to welcome a baby, recovering from birth, supporting your child, or simply seeking relief and reconnection within your own body, my work is here to walk alongside you with intention, compassion, and a genuine desire to help you feel whole.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and technical knowledge, I truly believe that success in this field comes down to connection, both with your clients and within your community.

Some of the most meaningful growth in my practice has come from building relationships with other local practitioners who care deeply about the same families I serve. Working alongside IBCLCs, pelvic floor physical therapists, tongue tie release providers, OBGYNs, postpartum doulas, and midwives creates a circle of support that no single provider can offer alone. When we communicate, refer to one another, and approach care as a team, families feel that. They feel held, guided, and supported from multiple angles, and that can make all the difference in their healing journey.

It’s also important to really listen to your community, what they’re struggling with, what they wish they had more support around, what feels missing. And then, to be willing to invest your time, energy, and resources into meeting those needs. That might mean continuing education, expanding your services, or simply showing up consistently and building trust over time. When your work is rooted in service, people can feel that sincerity.

Just as important is the environment you create. In this kind of work, people are often coming in feeling vulnerable, physically, emotionally, sometimes both. Creating a space where they feel safe, unrushed, and genuinely heard is everything. It’s about slowing down, listening without assumptions, and allowing each session to be guided by what that person truly needs in the moment.

More than anything, I’ve found that people don’t just remember the techniques you used—they remember how you made them feel. When someone leaves feeling cared for, respected, and understood, that’s where real impact happens.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

One resource that has had a lasting impact on both my entrepreneurial mindset and the way I show up in my work is the book Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living by Charles R. Swindoll.

What resonated most with me in this book is the idea that true leadership, and really meaningful work of any kind, comes from a place of service. It gently but clearly reframes success, not as recognition or growth alone, but as the ability to show up for others with humility, care, and intention.

That perspective has deeply shaped how I interact with everyone in my world from clients to colleagues and anyone I collaborate with. It reminds me to lead with empathy, to listen more than I speak, and to approach each relationship with a genuine desire to serve rather than to be seen as “the expert.”

In my practice, this looks like slowing down and truly hearing my clients, respecting their experiences, and creating space where they feel valued and supported. With colleagues and fellow practitioners, it’s about collaboration over competition, recognizing that we all bring something meaningful to the table, and that we can do more good when we support one another.

The book also serves as a quiet reminder that the small, everyday interactions matter just as much as the big decisions. The way we speak to people, the patience we offer, the care we take, those are the things that leave a lasting impact.

Overall, it’s helped ground my work in something deeper than just technique or business growth. It’s shaped a philosophy of care that feels aligned with who I am and the kind of space I want to create. One rooted in kindness, respect, and unselfish service.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.avodahmassagetherapy.com
• Instagram: @avodahmassage / @avodahmassage.lex
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Avodah-Massage-Therapy-61556549421245/

Image Credits

Lydia McCaulley Photography
Adrianna Joy Photography