Traveling the world as a sports massage therapist sounds like a dream for many. For Jim Anderson, who recently worked as a massage therapist for Team USA at the 2021 UCI Road World Cycling Championships in Belgium, it’s so much more than just the hands-on work. In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Darren and Kristin speak with Jim about being the soigneur for professional cycling teams, what a typical session looks like, and the challenges he faces while being on the road for more than 150 days a year.

Jim Anderson, LMT (Oregon since 2021), has been working with professional athletes for several years in North America and Europe. When he is not traveling 150 days a year, he lives and works in Portland, Oregon, at wellness and chiropractic clinics. He has worked with professional cycling teams, including Hagens Berman-Axeon (development team from 2015-2021) and Alpecin-Decuninick (world tour team since 2021), and provides massage therapy, race-day support, and logistics for athletes at events throughout North America and Europe. He has worked major races throughout the Middle East, including in the UAE, along with races in Europe (Italy, France, Germany). He also worked at the 2022 Vuelta a Espana and the 2023 Giro d’Italia and Tour de France. He was a therapist for Team USA at the 2021 UCI Road World Cycling Championships in Belgium. Earlier in his career, he worked as a contract/freelance graphic designer and as an employee for brands like Adidas, Nike, Amazon, and Rite Aid Pharmacy.

Hosts:

Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com.

Kristin Coverly, LMT is a massage therapist, educator, and the director of professional education at ABMP. She loves creating continuing education courses, events, and resources to support massage therapists and bodyworkers as they enhance their lives and practices. Contact her at ce@abmp.com.

Sponsors:

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com 

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Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.    

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Zibby Media is a women-led company dedicated to deepening the connections between readers, authors, and each other. We do so by offering many ways to connect—even for those who don’t have time to read. Founded by Zibby Owens, author, podcaster, publisher, bookstore owner, CEO, and mother of four, Zibby Media includes a publishing house, a magazine, podcasts, retreats, classes, a book club, salon events, and an independent bookstore with frequent author events. If you have ever loved a book, you’re in the right place.

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TouchAmerica is a leading manufacturer of professional grade wellness furniture, bodywork tables, halotherapy suites, hydrotherapy equipment, sound bathing loungers, and other related products. At TouchAmerica, we believe in a future where good health and vitality are common in all aspects of living. Promoting the positive power of conscious touch is at the core of our vision. We hope our products help add a touch of functional elegance to your massage & spa work environment. ABMP members receive 20% off all standard products. Discounts do not apply to salt or special-order SKUs.

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Ep 387 - The Healing Hands Behind Professional Cycling with Jim Anderson

The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession