What do you do?

MASSAGE THERAPIST/FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Mary Thomes
Sun Country/Angelnet Therapeutic Massage

History in this line of work:
I’ve been practicing massage since 2001, and have been a flight attendant for forty years. I have my own massage therapy business, Angelnet Therapeutic Massage, in Minneapolis, and am currently a flight attendant supervisor for Sun Country.

Health insurance benefits:
I receive my benefits through Sun Country.

Fringe benefits or perks:
The massage therapy allows me a flexible schedule, and I’ve developed the most interesting and amazing clientele. There’s a real energy exchange between myself and my clients. I guess the real fringe benefit is satisfaction. I love it.

Education and employment background:
I spent three years at the University of Minnesota, and another year at Berkeley. I have a degree in journalism. I also studied for a year at Esalen in California, and with Sister Rosalind [Schools & Clinics of Massage].

Interests outside of work:
I also practice and teach yoga and am raising a child. I love reading, walking, and gardening.

Drawbacks, hassles, or hazards of the job:
Well, you can always get weirdos, although I’ve only had a few of those, probably because I’m older and sort of a motherly figure. And if you’re not really skilled and careful about body maintenance you can develop some serious physical problems. It’s strenuous work, and unless you’re very careful you can mess up your hands, arms, and back.

Family:
I have a fifteen-year-old daughter. My partner’s deceased, and I got into massage during his cancer journey, when we realized how beneficial massage could be.

Housing:
Owner.

Transportation:
I have a car.

What she wanted to be as a child:
A flight attendant. When you come from a family like mine, you have a big urge to get away from them.

What else, if anything, she’d rather be doing:
Right now I’m really into wellness, other healing arts, and expanding my skills.

Where she sees herself in five years:
Maybe in an old folks’ home, if my daughter has her way. Or I hope to be that much more skilled in massage and yoga. You can always get better.

Income or salary:
I’ll just say that at the rates I’m charging it would be hard to make my living entirely through massage, but if I were to hike up my prices to the going Uptown rate I think it would be possible. I’ve chosen not to do that, though. I’m a real believer in making massage affordable. To me, it’s about being of service and giving something back to humanity.


Posted

in

by

Tags:

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.