There are a lot of things I don’t talk about on the blog. I feel like somethings just don’t need to be talked about – I value a level of privacy – and I’m pretty modest person about a lot of things- in life and in this space. But today or share a little something with you.
Some of you know about an opportunity has presented with in April 2010. An opportunity that I, and many others, considered a chance of a lifetime. A “dream job”. For few years I was massage therapist. A professional massage therapist and I opened my first brick-n-mortar business as a massage therapist working with people providing rehabilitative health solutions. I helped a lot of people move better, heal and feel better. It was a very gratifying job. In April 2010 I was presented with the opportunity that would allow me to meet some truly iconic people. An International Massage team I was sure was a stretch, and I had two options – fly to New York or audition over an hour and a half away. I auditioned locally on my birthday. I made the team. I was welcomed onto one of the most elite massage teams in the world serving the biggest named in the music industry.
Back Stage at Poison & Mötley Crüe Concert 6/21/11 at Kansas City Sprint Center
I met bands that are truly amazing. The drummer, Rob Koritz, of Darkstar Orchestra hugged me because he was so excited I was there to fix his back so he could play the concert that night. I interacted with all of Poison and Mötley Crüe, and I learned a Bret Michaels looks nothing like the Bret Michaels we know without his makeup on but he’s always wearing that Navy Bandanna. And make a very gentle natured, kind Colbie Callait & her entire band are truly unbelievably kind. I massaged and chatted with Rick Allen, the one armed drummer from Def Leppard, along with the rest of the band. I got to see so many stages are so many bands backstage and truly amazing concerts. I learned that the Gipsy Kings are French, sing in Spanish and speak no English but they are one of the most respectful bands I have worked with. And that’s just a few. I’ve seen the ins and outs of venues, toured tour buses. I even had the opportunity to go on tour with one of the biggest names in pop music but missed the opportunity because I had to leave in 2 days and I didn’t have a passport.
I had an opportunity that many would give just about anything for.
It was magnificent. I truly, truly was. It was stressful but full of opportunity. I’ve watched many concerts from backstage, I’ve seen the hustle of the industry.
Motley Crew/Poison and New York Dolls. Backstage
Then another opportunity presented itself. One my heart longed for, for quite a long time. I became pregnant. I continued to massage through my pregnancy. One day (a long time down the road due to the nature of the music) I’ll get to tell A that I massaged the
Andrew W.K. Band in my first trimester. One day we’ll be jamming to music and I’ll get to tell A that during my last Trimester I massage the entire
Colbie Caillat band, along with
Colbie herself. And that she told me it was one of the best massages she has received.
Passes, Wrist Bracelets from Concerts. All crew and behind the scenes members are required to have these to access behind the scenes. Full time crew usually have laminated plastic badges that they have to hang onto the whole tour.
I took a leave when I had A. Before I had her, I intended to go back. I planned to take a couple months off then get back at it working jobs at local venues and skipping big tour opportunities. The plan was to go back. Then A came along and my priorities shifted like I never fathomed. That “chance of a lifetime” job that wasn’t even on the board of exciting anymore. I struggled with the decision to stay with the company. I struggled with what those who knew about the job would think about me leaving such an opportunity, but my heartstrings knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do. My heart knew I longed to be at home with A, I always felt like being home is where I was supposed to be after we had children. I struggled with the idea of losing that income, it was an income that helped out quite a bit, so I struggled with thinking I was letting my family down.
I had the ups and the downs of worrying about if I was crazy to let this opportunity go. But I knew if I stayed with the job, the first gig I went to I wouldn’t be content in knowing I should be with my little one. So there it was, I resigned 4 months ago from the company and I felt so relieved. I then retired from the industry entirely. I lived that dream job for the season I was meant to but then, an even bigger dream job of mine came along and it’s the best, most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It’s the job I know I was called to do, and it’s by far my favorite!
