Credit to Allure’s “I Look at Naked People for a Living,” by Patrick Rogers, for the inspo. This confessional subseries invites the experts who work closest to the body to speak plainly—less PR gloss, more on how it really works. Some interviews are anonymous for candor; roles verified.
Current role/title, and where you’re based; how long you’ve been in the industry and in this role; and your origin story.
Samantha K., Licensed Massage Therapist (Cincinnati, OH) — 7 years. I love helping people and enjoy the challenge of understanding the body as a puzzle. My career has taken me through a chiropractic office, a franchise, and a small group practice. After completing some university coursework and holding a string of unfulfilling jobs, I discovered my true calling in massage therapy.
Modality Match: Swedish, deep tissue, sports, lymphatic, prenatal—how do you pick per client and goal?
I’m trained in a wide range of modalities, including Swedish, deep tissue, sports, prenatal massage, and precision neuromuscular therapy. Every session is fully tailored to each client’s needs and goals. Before we begin, I take a few minutes for intake—listening carefully to why they’re coming in and what outcomes they’re hoping to achieve, so the massage is as effective and personalized as possible.
When the textbook fails: the stubborn case save—what’s your go-to plan B (trigger point, active release, PNF stretch, cupping)?
I often look at the surrounding and antagonist muscles as part of my approach. Some areas respond best to trigger point therapy, while others respond to stretching, and many require a combination of both techniques. A deep understanding of muscle function and movement is crucial for resolving complex cases effectively.
Prep sins that tank a session—late arrivals, heavy perfume/oily lotion, dehydration—what’s your hard-line rule?
Every therapist has those clients—the ones who stroll in 20 minutes late, Starbucks in hand, and still expect a full 60-minute session. Or the ones doused in perfume or reeking of cigarette smoke, forgetting we’re working inches away from them. That scent doesn’t just vanish; it clings. I’ve even had to stop sessions and suggest a client rebook with someone else. At the end of the day, if I’m uncomfortable, I can’t deliver my best work—and respect has to go both ways.
Pressure truth: “go deeper” vs. “go smarter”—how do you calibrate pain, pressure, and actual results?
It’s always the big, tough guys who come in demanding “as deep as you can go.” Two minutes in, I’m already seeing the wince. But do they admit it? Of course not—it’s all ego. So I play detective: watching every flinch, adjusting my pressure, and gently suggesting we ease up before they tap out. Honestly, I’d rather they just say it, because trust me, I don’t take it personally. Deep tissue doesn’t have to mean deep regret.
Biggest “I need to be pain-free by tonight” rescue—what happened and what trick saved it?
I once had a client heading out on a cruise who could barely move her neck—she didn’t want to spend her whole vacation in pain. After focusing on her neck and upper traps, she left feeling relaxed and pain-free. I’m also certified in intraoral massage, which allows me to work directly with the muscles inside the jaw. This can release deep tension that often contributes to neck stiffness and headaches. We carry so much stress in our jaws without realizing it—those muscles are all connected, and when you address that tension from the inside, it can relieve a surprising amount of daily pain.
Tools & tech: percussive guns, hot stones, scraping—when do they help, and when is it theater?
Tools have their place and time. I don’t use percussive guns in session, but they can be great at home to bridge the gap between massages. Some therapists use them on broader areas, but honestly, nothing beats hands-on work. Hot stones? More show than substance. They cool too quickly and take away from the flow of the massage. Scraping, on the other hand, can be really effective for larger muscle groups and boosting blood flow.
“Photoshop-in-a-bottle” expectations: one result clients want that only rest/rehab can deliver?
I’m not a magician—I can’t just “fix” someone in one session. Many clients come in hoping for a quick fix, but massage doesn’t work that way. It’s a wellness tool, and depending on the issue, most people require repeat sessions and ongoing maintenance to truly experience the benefits. Massage works best as part of a healthy routine—it’s like diet and exercise. You wouldn’t expect to lose 20 pounds from eating one salad, and you can’t expect lasting results from a single massage. And while massage can help with pain and tension, it can’t repair muscle tears—that requires rest or, in some cases, surgery.
Lightning round — Keep, Kill, Scale:
Keep: cupping and scalp massage. Kill: hot stones (for reasons already mentioned!). Scale: repeat sessions—they’re where the real results happen!
Draping ethics: glutes, pecs, abdomen—what do you offer, and what’s across the line?
Massage is intimate, but let’s be clear—it’s professional. Clients are always draped, and yes, I can work the glutes without ever exposing the gluteal cleft. For women, breast tissue stays covered—always. And as for the guys I’ve dated who’ve asked for a “sensual” massage? Absolutely not. On the table, it’s all business. Period. I’ve seen what happens when therapists cross that line—they lose their license. Not worth it.
Phone policy: ding-free room, smartwatches, mid-session calls—have you had to shut it down, and how?
I’ve had plenty of phones go off during sessions. Most clients are quick to apologize and feel embarrassed. If it keeps ringing, I’ll offer to hand them the phone so they can silence it. If they need to take the call, I’ll step out for a moment—but I make it clear the session time can’t be extended.
Tips & upsells: what truly adds value (aroma, heat therapy) vs. pure shelf theater—what’s your script?
High-quality CBD oils can be a great addition and genuinely help clients. Aromatherapy, on the other hand, feels like more of an upsell—it doesn’t actually enhance the massage. Honestly, most of the scents aren’t that appealing, and they don’t add much to the overall experience.
Your most “I cannot believe I’m doing this” massage—who, where, and how did it go?
I once had a client jog straight off the street into my office—after running five miles. In July. He was literally dripping sweat onto my floor. Turns out his run club passed my office, so he thought, “Perfect timing, I’ll just squeeze in four miles before my massage.” Spoiler: It was not perfect timing. I powered through the session, but told him point-blank he couldn’t show up sweaty again; he needed to be clean and showered. Honestly, it was one of the worst massages I’ve ever given because I was so grossed out. To his credit, he took it well, and from then on, he came in freshly showered. Lesson learned, for both of us.
Trend watch: one wellness buzzword you’d ban tomorrow—and one boring thing that works every time?
Not exactly a wellness buzzword, but I’d happily ban the word “masseuse.” It’s outdated, cringeworthy, and honestly, the fastest way to piss off a massage therapist. We’re licensed professionals who trained for this—wellness therapists, not some shady stereotype. These days, masseuse is tied to illicit massage parlors, and it doesn’t reflect the skill or respect the profession deserves.
Tipping truth: biggest tip you’ve gotten, strangest non-cash “tip,” and your ideal gratuity policy?
The biggest cash tip I ever got was $100. Strangest? A client handed me a Bible—then at the next session tried to quiz me on passages to see if I’d read it. Another one offered me edibles as a tip. This was in my first two weeks on the job, so I honestly thought I was being Punk’d. (And no, I did not accept them.)
Do you get high on your own supply? Name the service/product you use weekly—and one you skip, and why.
I’ll always say yes to a scalp massage—it’s the ultimate feel-good. If a therapist is certified in intraoral work, I’ll request that too. But aromatherapy? Hard pass. I’m just not into the scents.
Last confession: what’s one true thing about this industry that would get you yelled at in a meeting—and the receipts!
A lot of therapists are total pot-heads, LOL. And honestly, we make the worst clients—we don’t follow half the advice we give. Drink more water? Stretch daily? Yeah… do as I say, not as I do.
Huge thanks to Samantha K. for kicking off this series! We’re looking to spotlight more voices from the front lines of wellness—massage therapists, estheticians, bodyworkers, trainers. Want to share your confessions? Email us at gingergeisty@gmail.com.
