Tag: stretching

I grew up outdoors around water and was often called a hippie tomboy. I played many sports growing up and have a B.S. in Wellness Leadership from USF, Tampa. While there I excelled in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Athletic Injury Management, Personal Training, Lifeguarding, and Martial Arts. After graduating, I enrolled in Massage Therapy School.

For 4 years I dated a bar bouncer that worked at an awesome, yet intimate concert venue called Jannus Landing. I was blessed to see hundreds of shows and often had access to the VIP areas, interacting with some fabulous artists. That relationship ended but the dream of massaging bands began.

My first encounter with a musician happened in October 1991. The head security/manager for Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers chased after me, table in tow, after leaving a hotel job. He said I looked strong and then begged me to follow their bus to the Sundome, watch them perform backstage, and end up the hotel for an all-nighter. Did I hear him right? I worked until 5 am on Ziggy and several family members. I was 21, in awe and just got paid handsomely to help a favorite band. In 1997 I had the opportunity to work on Pantera; they were playing on UCF’s campus and needed massages before the show. I had never heard of them before but will never forget the experience. It rekindled my passion to work on musicians.

At the same time my career in Sports massage took off and I began collaborating with Doctors, Physical Therapists, and Chiropractors, specializing in Medical massage and Rehab Exercise. Over the span of my career I have worked on collegiate athletes, numerous Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Beach Volleyball Pros, Triathletes, Orlando Magic Players, Golfers, a RAAM rider, and even a Gator Wrestler!

My musical influences run the gamut. Long family car trips were spent listening to Barbara Streisand, Bette Midler, Neil Diamond and Kenny Rogers. My parents LOVE show tunes. My first concerts attended were Adam Ant and the Stray Cats. Soon after, Uncle Roger took us to see Bruce Springsteen at the Miami Rose Bowl, 4th row, Born in the USA tour! Need I say more? Some of my favorite artists include Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry, Janes Addiction, Depeche Mode, The Police, U2, Bob Marley, Enigma, Sarah McLachlan, Seal, Dead Can Dance, Kitaro, R.Carlos Nakai, and MOST OF ALL the Dave Matthews Band.