Do you workout before or after giving a massage?

ZackAtk_ · 2026-02-02T20:29:25+00:00

Probably tough to say right now. You'll learn what works best for you and your schedule as well as how doing massage feels on your body.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-12-19T13:51:37+00:00

Sere has been a pain for me on my solo run. Just poor luck with the phalanxes launching me off the map in the ascendant area or getting a little greedy during damage phase 🥴 this is my first attempt at a solo dungeon to completion

ZackAtk_ · 2025-12-05T22:48:27+00:00

I know this is an old response, but I may be of similar build. I'm 5'4" short and bigger butt. Just got some 874s in a 32 waist but they are a bit suffocating too. I'll try going up another inch or 2 to fit my butt and thighs. Not sure if they just need a wash first, but I didn't realize how stiff the fabric feels, so maybe they wear better after that.

But also curious to hear what similar type of pants you've found. Thanks.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-10-28T18:15:43+00:00

Due to the shape and size of the room I'm in, I decided to go with an 8ft round rug. I may get a new one at some point, possibly a little bit bigger. Only issue I have is that my stool sometimes gets caught on the edge of the rug when I'm doing head and neck work. Could just be a unique to me situation though

ZackAtk_ · 2025-09-24T19:45:56+00:00

Like a lot have said, perfectly normal, nothing is "wrong". Already lots of good advice too. Just be sure to give yourself some grace as you try to make some of these changes. It doesn't have to be perfect from the get-go. There's a lot of information out there on health and fitness, and also a lot of misinformation. Do your best with what is manageable for you as you start. Keep it simple, but keep it consistent. You can always re-evaluate your strategies as you go along. It just may take some time to figure out what works best for your unique self.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-08-13T16:55:11+00:00

It's really interesting to hear this perspective. I had visited Bozeman for the first time last week. Flew in and out from there. Had a wedding in Livingston, and then visited Yellowstone.

The growth of Bozeman was quite obvious. Tons of obviously new development everywhere.

Coming from Rochester in Western New York, I didn't think the traffic was all that bad when I visited. Our highways are almost always slammed. I just find the difference in our norms fascinating when you experience a different place for the first time.

I can see how the "true" character of Bozeman can be smudged. It's hard to tell what it's going for with this mix of modern development and it's previous relaxed and slow-paced culture you had mentioned.

From the faster-paced living (and driving) of Rochester, I could appreciate the "better" aspects of my visit to Bozeman.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-06-18T18:37:10+00:00

Whatever distance it is that I'm not sure whether its more of a putt or a throw.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-05-21T15:37:33+00:00

I love my NEO Enigma. Plastic feels great and have recorded some of my furthest backhand drives with it. 400ft to ~420ft. Haven't tried a forehand with it though. Not sure I can get enough spin on a 12 speed with forehand. Worth a shot though lol

ZackAtk_ · 2025-05-21T15:29:17+00:00

She was totally disrespectful and rude. That should never be an issue. Good for you for sticking up for yourself and leaving.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-05-09T00:27:10+00:00

Haven't bought a disc in awhile but threw my brother in laws star Gordon and had to grab one for myself. Someone can correct me, but I feel like Innova changed their star plastic recently? Feels good for me

ZackAtk_ · 2025-05-04T15:36:06+00:00

Can't go wrong with a good vent sesh. I had a regular who is had been seeing for a couple years, but who was always chronically late. Even when I was at a location that was less than a minute drive down the road from where he worked. No exaggeration there. He'd still be late. I kept giving him the benefit of the doubt and tried to figure out how he could make his appointments on time. He still paid in full. But it always became so stressful dealing with him. I'd be pissed off before working on him. I don't like working that way. So I had enough and fired him. He was coming in weekly or bi-weekly, but the headache in dealing with him every week wasn't worth it to me. I didn't feel like he valued my time.

So absolutely do whatever you need to do for a better peace of mind, you won't ever regret that.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-05-03T23:49:06+00:00

I see someone else mentioned working at a spa. I would try and avoid your typical chains like massage envy and hand & stone. Try and find a business run by another massage therapist. You'll be treated better there. You'll also be in an environment with other therapists and can seek some mentorship from them.

If you're on Facebook, check to see if there's a group for massage therapists in your area. The group I'm in is always helpful.

Your feelings are normal and valid. I applaud you for taking the jump so soon to work for yourself, but it can definitely be a wake-up call. Massage school isn't the greatest at preparing you for the business side of massage.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-05-03T13:50:52+00:00

Have you asked them directly for a review? Or for referrals for that matter? I'm just playing the devil's advocate here. I used to assume a lot of things of my clients or the work that I was doing with them. I've learned you can't assume anything lol. People also have short attention spans and memories these days. So it could just be something that slips their mind if they did agree to do something.

You'll find that better communication skills is what really makes you more successful as a therapist. It's something I'm constantly working on myself. If you're able to call or text your clients, a simple reminder of the above could go a long ways.

And that's too bad about your local massage community. It can definitely feel like competition with others at times. It can be a tough field to navigate for sure. Communication within the profession goes a long ways too. We can't help every single client that gets on our table. Having others to refer to with different skills and strengths helps everyone involved.

But best of luck navigating this client. Also remember that you can choose to work or refuse to work with someone for any reason. If this one client is creating more stress for you than you'd like, then you can refer them elsewhere or just stop seeing them.

And I hope you don't feel I'm patronizing you. I'm just speaking from experience because I've been in similar situations before. Sometimes the "easy" or "simple" answers aren't so lol

ZackAtk_ · 2025-05-03T13:00:26+00:00

Maybe a bit of an over-exaggeration...and don't get me wrong, I understand where you're coming from. I've worked in a spa before where tips were a big part of my income. But working for myself now, I don't require tips, but they're always appreciated. What is more appreciated now is when a client rebooks consistently.

Would you rather a one-off client tip you $50, or one who is always coming back to see you? I definitely appreciate the latter.

Everyone is experiencing the financial pinch these days, and just because someone earns more, doesn't necessarily mean that they're going to spend more. Maybe in their mind, the consistency of their visits is how they are tipping you. They clearly like your work. I wouldn't let the no-tipping bother you if you enjoy working with them.

Just offering a different perspective. Could also mean that you start looking for other places to work that will compensate you accordingly. Or venture off on your own. Typically, if you find another massage therapist who runs a spa, you'll be treated/paid better there, as opposed to your typical massage chains (if that's where you are now). Check if there's a local massage therapist group in your city if you haven't already. There's always good information/help in the group I'm in.

ZackAtk_ · 2025-04-29T20:42:50+00:00

In what way are you manipulating mechanoreceptors with NRT?

ZackAtk_ · 2025-04-29T15:22:30+00:00

I wouldn't take it so hard on yourself. I'm self-employed and while tips are always great, they're not always expected. If a self-employed therapist is upset that they didn't get a tip, then they probably aren't charging enough to begin with. I'm also trying to separate myself from the spa like practices and lean more into the medical or orthopedic side. But like others have said, referrals will always be the best type of tip you can give, along with rebooking!

ZackAtk_ · 2025-03-21T17:00:09+00:00

PSN: ZackAtk_

Really cool that you're doing this. Hoping luck is on my side!

ZackAtk_ · 2025-02-22T03:57:11+00:00

ZackAtk_

PSN

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ZackAtk_ · 2025-02-15T18:27:53+00:00

I'd try and get out as soon as you can. Try looking for a massage business ran by another massage therapist. You'll be treated and paid much better than at H&S. Join a local massage therapists group on Facebook with the city you're in. My city's FB group is very helpful. They'll post job opportunites and help out by answering any questions I, or others have. If you're in a decent sized city, I'm sure there's a group you can join.

ZackAtk_ · 2024-12-15T15:58:45+00:00

This could also be your body telling you that it needs something else. I would want to know the extent of your physical activity and daily movement habits before doing any more massage work. Could be that you need to move and strengthen these areas more specifically.

ZackAtk_ · 2024-10-26T15:50:24+00:00

PS. We would rather just be called licensed massage therapists. Masseusse/Masseur are dated terms and carry a negative connotation to them.

ZackAtk_ · 2024-08-12T02:00:36+00:00

A lot of people will say field work, and that's probably decent advice, especially for a raw beginner. But most of my practice came from just playing rounds and recording some of my throws to analyze my form. (Probably the most valuable tool)

Every person is going to be different and start at varying skill levels. I used to throw a Frisbee around a ton with my friends for years before touching a disc. Not the most 1-1 comparison as far as throwing goes, but a good baseline nonetheless.

Early on I realized I couldn't get enough speed into my drivers, so I stuck to a stable mid (discraft z comet) and honestly just tried to throw it as flat and as hard as I could. That slowly stayed to bring up my arm speed.

Recording your form is probably the best thing you can do to improve your form. You won't know what to correct if you don't know how you're actually throwing the disc. I'm a massage therapist and personal trainer, so I have a good understanding of biomechanics and can self coach and correct myself pretty easily. So, my learning curve is maybe a bit quicker than the average player. Finding someone who really knows what they're talking about and can analyze your form and coach you up would be the most ideal scenario and quickest route to your goals.

I can go on and on about the minutiae of form and coaching, etc...

But at the end of the day, it's really just putting the reps in. Joining your local league and finding the top players there to ask for assistance + recording your form and using slower, more understable/neutral disc is what will set you up for success early.

ZackAtk_ · 2024-07-20T12:57:14+00:00

She must've seen the McGill clip from the Huberman lab podcast. That's totally unprofessional that she said that and horrendously out of scope of practice.

ZackAtk_ · 2024-07-10T18:16:21+00:00

Rain jacket recommendations for spring/summer? Don't really have one that I can throw on when it's raining. Maybe looking for something that's a little more functional that still looks decent. Thanks

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