Since graduating from Irene’s Myomassology Institute in 2009, Michelle Pozan has built a rewarding 17-year career in massage therapy. Her experience has included chiropractic offices, a multi-therapist practice, and, for the past nine years, her own home-based practice. Throughout her career, Michelle has continued to expand her education while drawing on the strong foundation she developed at Irene’s, particularly the importance of listening to clients, adapting to their individual needs, and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
In this Alumni Spotlight, Michelle shares how her education, hands-on training, electives, and commitment to continuing education have shaped both her approach to massage therapy and the successful practice she has built.
How did Irene’s Myomassology Institute prepare you for your career as a Licensed Massage Therapist?
As a 2009 graduate, I found that Irene’s core curriculum prepared me to provide a strong therapeutic massage and to conduct myself professionally. It also helped me develop one of the most important skills a massage therapist can have: truly listening to the client. I believe that ability has been key to building a strong and loyal clientele.
The electives also exposed me to a wide range of massage techniques and specialties, giving me additional skills that helped set my work apart. There is also something significant about the reputation Irene’s graduates carry. When people hear that you graduated from Irene’s, they know they can expect a high level of professionalism and care.
How did your hands-on training or student clinic experience help prepare you to work with professional clients?
The student clinic introduced me to a wide variety of clients, needs, and situations. That experience taught me how to adapt my approach to each individual and helped me feel much more prepared and confident when I began working professionally.
Where are you currently working as a massage therapist, and what types of clients or conditions do you commonly work with?
I spent my first six years working in chiropractic offices, followed by two years at a private massage practice with several therapists. For the past nine years, I have operated my own home-based practice.
I work with a wide range of clients, although many are active adults over 40 who are committed to maintaining their health and mobility through regular massage. Over the years, I have also worked with clients experiencing migraines, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, autoimmune conditions, sports injuries, arthritis, and other health concerns.
I have found that a thorough intake and assessment are essential. I take time to understand what the client hopes to achieve from the session, listen carefully to what they are telling me, ask thoughtful follow-up questions, and adjust the session accordingly. I also believe strongly in recognizing the limits of my scope and referring clients to another healthcare professional when their needs extend beyond my training or expertise.
What inspired you to pursue a career in massage therapy and holistic health?
Before coming to Irene’s, I worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor, so massage therapy was a natural extension of my interest in health, movement, and wellness. I have continued to combine those areas throughout my career, and I am very grateful to be doing work I genuinely love.
Is there a class, instructor, or experience at Irene’s that helped shape the massage therapist you are today?
I don’t think there was just one. I loved our instructors and especially appreciated the knowledge they shared from their own professional experiences. I listened carefully to their advice and took much of it to heart.
I took Professional Ethics especially seriously from the beginning. I wanted clients and other healthcare professionals to see me as a knowledgeable, ethical professional, and that commitment has served me well throughout my career.
How did your education at Irene’s Myomassology Institute influence your massage therapy style, specialty, or approach to client care?
The elective program was an incredibly valuable part of my education. Experiencing different styles and techniques helped me discover what interested me most and gave me a much broader range of skills to draw on.
I was particularly drawn to sports massage, stretching, shiatsu, Thai massage, and myofascial release, and I have incorporated elements of those approaches into my work throughout my career. Having training in several modalities allows me to adapt when a client’s needs or circumstances require a different approach.
For example, while working for a local massage business that frequently provided couples massage, I once entered a couples massage treatment room and discovered a client who preferred to remain fully clothed, lying on top of the sheet. Because of my training in Thai massage, I was able to comfortably adapt the session while respecting her preference. Experiences like that have shown me how valuable it is to have a broad educational foundation and multiple techniques available when caring for clients.
What massage therapy specialties, continuing education classes, or advanced training have helped you grow your skills and build your career?
Continuing education has been an important part of my professional growth. My training has included John F. Barnes Myofascial Release, Upledger CranioSacral Therapy, several courses with Erik Dalton, Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage, Thai Massage with Lucille Palancher, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, YoMassage, and cupping therapy. I am currently studying Buccal facial massage with Joanna Tringali.
Continuing to learn has allowed me to expand my skills, remain engaged in my profession, and offer clients a broader range of approaches throughout my career.
Can you share a meaningful client success story that shows the positive impact of massage therapy?
There have been many meaningful experiences over the years, which have been such a blessing. Two clients who stand out were pilots experiencing physical issues that could potentially have interfered with their ability to fly. I worked with each of them within my scope of practice and also referred them to physical therapy. Both had very positive outcomes and were able to continue working without taking time away from flying. One of them continues to see me regularly.
Another client was diagnosed with breast cancer and continued receiving massage through to her recovery. Later, she told me that massage was one of the few things during that time that helped her feel normal. She is doing very well today, remains a client, and has referred many people to my practice.
Knowing that my work has helped someone feel supported during a difficult period of life is one of the things that continues to make this career so meaningful to me.
As a massage therapist, what do you do for self-care and career longevity?
I believe it is important to take care of your own health as well as you can. For me, that includes good nutrition, exercise, and taking time for prayer, meditation, and gratitude.
As massage therapists, we encourage our clients to care for themselves, and I believe we should practice those principles in our own lives as well. Gratitude, in particular, helps keep me grounded.
What has surprised you most about working as a massage therapist?
That I am still doing it and loving it 17 years later!
What do you wish more people understood about massage therapy as a professional career?
Massage therapy is not necessarily an easy career. It’s a physical career that requires stamina, professionalism, continuing education, strong communication skills, and genuine commitment to your clients. At the same time, it can be an incredibly rewarding profession.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a Licensed Massage Therapist?
Enjoy your education and take advantage of everything available to you. Choose electives that genuinely interest you, but also try a few simply because you are curious. You never know which experience may spark a new interest or eventually become an important part of your practice.
If you discover a modality or specialty that really connects with you, continue developing those skills through continuing education.
Also take the time to build strong, professional relationships with your clients. When people know you listen to them, respect them, and genuinely care about helping them, they are much more likely to trust you and return when they need support. Kindness, listening, and respect never go out of style.
Finally, maintain an abundance mindset. It does not matter how many massage practices are in your area. If you provide excellent care, keep developing your skills, and apply what you learned at Irene’s, people will always look for a massage therapist they can trust.
Ready to Build Your Own Career in Massage Therapy?
Michelle’s 17-year career shows how a strong education, hands-on experience, and a commitment to continued learning can create opportunities throughout your career. From working in chiropractic offices to building her own massage practice, the skills she developed at Irene’s have helped her grow and adapt along the way.
If you’re considering a career in massage therapy, Irene’s Myomassology Institute can help you build the skills and confidence to take that next step.
At Irene’s, you’ll gain hands-on training, practical experience, and exposure to a variety of massage techniques while preparing for a career as a Licensed Massage Therapist.
Learn more about Irene’s Massage Therapy Program and take the first step toward your future today.