Taking the leap into full-time massage is a dream for many practitioners, but it can feel daunting. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to make the transition from a part-time role, the step to full time is one that requires courage, planning, and action. Kristin and Darren are joined by Elicia Crook to talk about what’s holding people back from taking the leap in becoming a solo practitioner, and ideas to help them overcome the fear of being a business owner.

Resources:

Elicia Crook is a business coach and mentor for massage therapists, sharing the tactics she used to create her business success over 16 years. She is a diploma-qualified remedial massage therapist, using modalities such as Bowen and craniosacral therapy, and has a Cert IV in Workplace Training and Assessment, which she used while teaching massage for several years. Through her career and business experience, Crook discovered who she needed to be and what is required to run a deeply satisfying massage business. Now she takes the Fully Booked Without Burnout blueprint to other therapists around the world to create more success and passion. For more information, visit massagechampions.com.

“Building a Thriving Hands-On Practice”, by Elicia Crook, Massage & Bodywork magazine, Spring 2025.

ABMP CE Center

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 

American Massage Conference: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences

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.    

Website: anatomytrains.com    

Email: info@anatomytrains.com          

Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA 

American Massage Conference

Get ready to immerse yourself in the excitement as the American Massage Conference (AMC) arrives to Disney Springs near Orlando, Florida (May 16^th-18^th, 2025)! With a legacy of 17 successful years in Ontario, Canada, this premier event, proudly hosted by ONE Concept Conferences and expertly produced by Massage Therapy Media (MTM), boasts a lineup of presenters from across the nation and around the globe.

The American Massage Conference began in Atlanta in 2011 and has been hosted through the years in San Diego, Chicago, and Virginia Beach.

The conference provides educational opportunities with engaging one-, two-, three- and four-hour class formats, networking opportunities, masterminds, MTM Talks, demonstrations, and an extensive exhibitor tradeshow.  

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable experience filled with education, networking, and the celebration of massage therapy excellence! ABMP members receive a special discount to attend this in-person conference—log in to your ABMP account to access the discount code and register today.

Website: https://www.massagetherapymedia.com/conferences

Ep 497 – Building a Thriving Hands-On Practice with Elicia Crook

The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession