Hello radical massage therapist and welcome to another episode of the radical massage therapist Podcast. Today I have a special guest named Kumi Taylor and she has been a licenced massage therapist in Texas for more than 20 years, she has studied many different massage modalities and energy work and she is currently studying sound healing. She has worked in spas for a chiropractor, corporate massage, and now runs her own massage business in the past 12 years in 2005. She was in a car accident that caused excruciating neck pain. She had chronic pain that was making it difficult to work. And this is when she discovered that CBD or cannabis oil really improved her quality of life and she started retailing it in 2018 when it became federally legal. She is a radical massage therapist, Kumi welcome to the podcast.
Thank you so much, Krista. Yeah, so
I wanted to give a little bit of background as to how I discovered you was through the massage magazine. And you were featured in an article that was talking about how CBD could be the missing piece of your self care puzzle. Before I get into that, because I did want to just sort of connect the dots there how I found you. But being a radical massage therapist, what do you love the most about massage therapy?
Oh, what do I love the most about it, I guess is the power of touch really is. It's something that we need as human beings. And I think a lot especially in the US touch is very taboo as far as it's over sexualized, and it's just it's very healing I I'm very passionate about it. And it's it's not just for physical, it helps with mental, emotional. You know, I've gone through some a lot of mental health issues and where I couldn't even see a traditional psychotherapist. But I would go and get massage, and it was incredibly healing. So I'm just very passionate about that.
Yeah, just that like, yeah, like you said, the touch connection and how some people still feel that it's it is sexualized, and there's like a sensual touch versus the sexual and a lot of people still don't see the difference, you know, between the two, and we're talking about a healing element to it as well. That's lovely. So being a massage therapist for 20 years, how did you originally get get into the career?
I was a single mom, you know, 20? Yeah, 20 years ago, or so. And I was waiting tables, and I was kind of lost. I really didn't know what I wanted to do. I didn't really know myself, I was trying to figure it out. I was thinking about physical therapy. I struggled in school, I was never really diagnosed with things. But just trying to focus and study if it wasn't something that I absolutely loved. I just didn't do well. It was just hard for me to focus. So I had a girlfriend that was going to massage school. And it piqued my interest, even though I, you know, we've all kind of rubbed someone's shoulders. But I didn't even know if I would love it. But for some reason intuitively, I was very interested. Especially when she told me at that time, it was 300 hours, which is less than six months to get your licence. It's 500 Now in Texas, and so that I just wanted to get out of waiting tables. I knew I wanted to help people. And so I asked her because she said can I practice on you? And of course I said yes. And then I said can I practice on you to see if I want to go to school and possibly pursue this. And the schooling was the tuition was affordable, I could pay my way through it. Didn't have to take out a loan. And so I practised on her and I just loved it. And so that's how I jumped in. Amazing.
Did you wait tables? Raise, you know, raise your family and go to school all at the same time? Yes, yeah. You made it you made it work. And then six months you you know, did your exams and became a licenced massage therapist. Yes. And then when you can you tell me a little bit more about in your studying for your different massage modalities and the energy work. Can you elaborate on some of the modalities that you've explored and how they've now influenced your practice?
Um, my instructor was big into Rolfing. And which I didn't study that. But I think some of the techniques she taught us, including deep tissue, sports, massage, medical, you know, treating medical issues. When I was in school, I was like, I have carpal tunnel, I have sciatica. I have all these problems. And my teacher just looked at me. She said, No, you don't. I mean, first of all, I was in my early 20s. And so she taught me how to treat those issues. And I was able to get out of, you know, what I thought I had carpal tunnel, and I thought I had sciatica. And I was just blown away by that. So those are some of the things I've as a foundation learned. And then throughout the years, I've studied Thai massage, also a shiatsu and Reiki energy work, which was at a pivotal point in my life, because I was, I was suffering from some PTSD issues. And I don't think I pursued Reiki because of that. In fact, I was just curious, I, I thought, I don't believe in this, but I'm going to take the class because I just was curious, how does this work? And it really, I don't want to say it 100% Healed my PTSD, but like, 80%, you know, it really improved. So yeah, so
you went into it just out of like, as an self experiment, really just kind of, out of the curiosity to almost prove it wrong. And then yeah, to be really beneficial for you that's really special, you continue to practice the Reiki now, like, as just your your practice. That's amazing. It's always great to have a personal story when you can't like when you do connect with a technique, and it benefits your life, it really enhances your explanation to clients and patients, that they can come at it with a little bit more trust and understanding. And even when you do experience it, like there's no, there's still no real X bullet like we don't I still don't know how to articulate that it does work. I also do Reiki and just like it does, and yes, and thank thankfully, the clients and patients just trust us on that on that feeling. And that x personal experience as well.
I really love the feedback that I get from clients, because it's really hard for me to explain, because I think it's different for everybody and what they experience. I did have a client tell me one time after a session, she said, I feel like you just pulled the cobwebs out of me. And I was like That is such a cool description like I would have never thought of that.
Yeah, is very cool. When you go back to the Rolfing when you felt like you had you know, early 20s Begin in massage therapy school, I think we also all go through once you learn something like once you learn the signs and symptoms, so certain things you're like, Oh, I definitely have that or I definitely have. Like, can you explain what it maybe not what it was, but what the explanation was from you thinking it was like carpal tunnel sciatica to the instructor sort of guiding you away from that, is there any explanation that you can provide?
I mean, I think I definitely had age on my side. I was young, I've wasn't suffering from these issues for a long time. I think if if I was, you know, suffering from those issues for many, many, many years where nerve damage can come in. Some of those things are not reversible. But I think because I was younger, it was easily reversed. I mean, she was showing me stuff that in one or two sessions, I was better. Yeah. And, you know, of course in my 40s and stuff, it's a little bit different. There's, you know, some things you just kind of have to try to maintain and
you know, yeah,
doesn't totally heal all the time, but at least keeps things at bay is what I'm trying to say. Yeah,
yeah, absolutely. Okay. And then you've also you're practising sound healing right now, that's something that you're immersing yourself in his new explaining about sound healing and how you're integrating that into your practice.
Yes, I took a sound bath Class A couple of years ago, and they actually placed these Tibetan bowls on my body like I was laying down on the floor and And for a whole week, after, you know, and people were playing the instruments and with little mallets, and it's all about vibration, and I think it helps clear out negative vibration, and everything I guess is on a vibration. So disease and illness is on a certain vibration. So it kind of helps raise you above those negative vibrations or whatever. So for a whole week after the session, I all my senses were just completely enhanced, it was really, really neat. I just felt clear and focused. And I was on cloud nine for a whole week. So that really piqued my interest. And I felt like it was something that can enhance my practice. It's not physical. As you know, massage therapy is very physically, you know, intensive labour. So anything new that I'm learning, I don't want it to be hard on my body. So this was kind of a Yeah, after doing this for so long, and it's something that I can add, like at the end of someone's session, or can be like a nice add on treatment, or just a full treatment. And I love music. So I thought it was something neat to check out.
Yeah, um, you know, I don't have any personal experience with it. But I'm sure, even if it's not part of a full session, I mean, you probably learn how to, like clear and clear the energy of the room, you know, just by, by maybe starting your session or ending your session with it as well. And it just sort of enhances the experience for the client, they might not have to know what it's doing. But you can can sort of create that better atmosphere. When you were treating after that, you know, week when you felt like on cloud nine, did any of the clients comment differently about how they felt after treatments? Or did you feel that you were interacting differently with the body? Or how did that feel?
Ah, honestly, I don't really remember. I just I know, I just felt great. And not not as tired at the end of the day, you know? Yeah. Oh,
for sure. And then having worked in different, like, locations and settings, right, from the spa, to the chiropractor, corporate massage, how have these experience shaped your approach now to running your own business?
Definitely. I have, like certain protocols that I do here that when I was working in a spa environment, I was like, if I'm my if I'm a boss of myself, or if I hire, I would do this differently. So, you know, you learn and, you know, like, as far as timing, and I was a lot younger, so I could, you know, just do a lot of sessions back to back. And I just had like short breaks in between. And now I make sure I have 30 minutes in between each client's just little things like that. Yeah, making sure I can reset the room.
Excellent. Are you working? Is it your you are your own business? or Now do you have other massage therapists working alongside you that you also like oversee?
Yes, I recently hired a therapist to help me on weekends. And she is also going to help during the summer break. Because she works at a college so she's like, I'll have a lot more time during those break times from from the college. So that's been something different and new. And very helpful because I think when you're a solo therapists, sometimes it can be lonely. So it's nice to bring someone on.
Yeah, no, absolutely. It can definitely be a lonely profession. I mean, even like for me I work with at any given time, there's about three therapists treating at the same time, but I hear footsteps and voices and I don't always see the individual if our paths don't really cross so yeah, it can can definitely be isolating. So getting into how you got in into a CBD, right, which is what the article was was based on on how it was the missing piece in self care and it really benefit you. Could you tell us more about your personal experience with chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2005. So you feel comfortable sharing a little bit about that experience? And then how did CBD become part of your pain management regimen and what changes did you notice in your quality of life? So I'm very bad at like giving you just a block of here's eight questions and one
no I was fine. I was, yeah, in the car accident, I was completely stopped on the highway, there was construction. So it was just clogged up. And somebody hit me, they were going about 50 miles an hour, and they hit me from behind. So I had some whiplash injuries, because I saw my rearview mirror. And I wish that I didn't see it because I just tensed up. And that made it a lot worse. And the pain didn't really, it wasn't really that bad until the months went on. And it would kind of come and go, and I got some treatments, but it wasn't the best treatment or care that I was getting. And as the years went on, it was just starting to get worse to where I could only do, I could only work part time. And it was just really affecting my daily life. Getting out of bed was, you know, it would take me like 1520 minutes just to get out of bed. And, you know, this was fast forward to 2018 or around that time when it came out. I thought what do I have to lose, I'll try it, I couldn't even get massage, it would actually hurt to Yeah, it would flare up. So I think it was in in my spine, where the inflammation or whatever it was that was causing that issue. And so I I discovered the oil and taking it sublingually under my tongue so it goes into your bloodstream and reaches areas that massage can't always reach. And within two weeks, I noticed a huge difference. And just my quality of life really improved. And so then I just became very passionate about it and started to started selling it. So
wonderful. Yeah, that's really neat experience and and I appreciated you like sharing that it was personally beneficial to you. I mean, you suffered for so long did you also have to consider that maybe massage was not going to be an option for much longer, because you get five from the original accident and then 2018 discovering, you know, something that actually worked. I mean, that can be a really frustrating process for you.
I went through a couple of years that I had to take off, and then also take off of massage completely. I was suffering from a lot of these autoimmune issues. I even had a doctor say that I might have lupus and I was like what is going on. And a lot of skin problems, which is really tough when you're a massage therapist, especially if it's on your hands and arms and stuff. And so it wasn't just the neck issues. I was having all these other issues too. So I took a break from massage for a couple years, kept up with my licence. And then I did have my daughter who was little so when I got back into it, I was just doing it part time. And the neck issues got progressively worse. Over the years, yeah, yeah.
And then in Canada as a massage therapist, I'm not able to promote it or sell it. But really, yeah, can you explain to any of our US listeners or maybe even internationally if this does become something that they can include in their practice both to use on their clients and then to sell? Can you explain a little bit about what that that process might look like? Or how you share it with your clients in your practice?
Yeah, I am really big on educating. So I talked to my clients about, you know, what's in it, I carry the broad spectrum and the full spectrum, the broad spectrum, basically, to me, it works very well just as well. My husband was a good guinea pig because he was a truck driver and he had to take random drug tests. Okay, so that's basically what the broad spread spectrum was created for was. So there's 100% no THC in it. And that's what where I think some people get confused. Oh, there's THC in it. Am I gonna get high? Yeah. And with CBD, they don't add heat when they're producing it and just it's just trace amounts. And THC is actually a cannabinoid also. So it gets a little bit confusing but so when I when I'm telling people about it, you know, because I carry different things I carry, I also do carry Delta products, which is concentrated THC from hemp. And I'm in Texas where marijuana is illegal. So it is, it is a little bit confusing. I think people just need to really check the laws in their location and make sure that you know what they're doing, they're able to do, and I don't ever prescribe or you know, I don't I just tell people it's, it's your choice on what you want to try. And this is what I do. This is what's worked for me. That kind of thing. Yeah,
yeah. Wonderful. And then are you able to apply it like to like skin contact on your clients? and D are you able to apply your own product? If it's if you feel that it's recommended? Or do they have to bring in their own product and use it like this is where it's it's very interesting and different from where we are we are
yes, I don't like I'm not in Colorado where THC from from marijuana is legal. So they have the lotions that have like the potent THC. I don't carry that I just use CBD oil. And I always ask permission, I always inform the client, you know, because I never know where their head is at. You know, some people may be like, I don't know what that you know, I I'm weird about it. I don't want to try. Most people are pretty open to it. And they're fine with it.
Yeah, and then so topically for you the CBD would that be more you would just explain it as it's going to help a muscle Relax, it's going to help with like, inflammation or pain management and we just go out there we go. Did you hear me? Okay.
Okay. Yeah. I so because I retell it, I have to be very careful with my wording. You know, I can tell people it definitely can help with discomfort and relieve discomfort. And so, it's, it's weird because I can't use certain words because I retell it and it's kind of a weird situation, but people get get the gist of it. You know, it's like, you can try it and see if it helps. Yeah. Okay,
wonderful. And then you're obviously going to be a good advocate for it for other massage therapists, right? Because you've been in this career for 20 years. I would also encourage massage therapists to be in this profession as long as as long as sustainably possible with their bodies feel good, they feel good about the career. You know, they're, they're happy. But do you also like I think part of the article would attracted my attention was also it really seemed Yes, it helped you but I feel like it was also like, you know, Hey, miss, like massage therapists bodyworkers like this can really benefit you as well as you share that with your massage community.
Yes
it's kind of a no brainer for me because it's helped me so much. And I when I first when I first started getting into it, I was doing an art it was an online business. And so I learned a lot about social media marketing and all that and it was a great experience. But then I moved to retail. And I kind of prefer that it's more of a it's more of a quiet life. But I just I prefer doing it that way. Plus online with I just don't want to get into any issues with league legalities and stuff like that. So I just prefer to retail it. Yeah, and also, you know, a lot of some therapists like to make it I think like they'll curate their own oils and lotions. For me. I prefer to retail from a company that already makes it it's just easier. I'm not really it's it's hard for me to try to measure out the correct exact concentration and so I'd rather just go through a reputable CBD company and go from there.
Yeah, absolutely. And with like the sound I
really see the frequency technology the healing tech is becoming really popular. There is a company that I'm I've been kind of putting on the back burner A little bit, but want to bring that in for my clients as well. And it also provides sound healing, and as well. So it's really interesting to me. And I see that as a futures therapist, enhancing their offering offerings to help them as well. I think if we're not feeling well, we can't give the best service. So I see that as like self care, becoming a lot more important to massage therapists if they want to last in this business. So yeah,
absolutely. I think that a lot of people use us, they're like their body wearing out as an excuse me for good reason. But they're not taking those initiatives to take care of themselves and just sort of blaming it on the work and not not taking yet not working on them themselves, so that they can stay in the career longer. I completely agree with that. And I'm happy to hear that you feel like that's what the future looks like for massage therapists that we will be taking better care of ourselves. And I also agree with that I feel that the massage therapists that will recognise the self care components the adding in of modalities that are our hands, hands on off, like like they're not they're not that physical. But but they still provide benefit to our clients. I completely agree with you and love love to see that that's also taking place in in Texas. Have you ever had, have you had massage anywhere else other than the states? No, no.
Just been in Texas. Yeah. It's weird here in the States because and I think that's changing. Although I am kind of in my bubble and not really paying attention, my husband's a Texan through and through. So unless something major happens, we don't plan on leaving the state. But I know from state to state, you know, a lot of times if you move you have to go back to school, I heard that they were trying to put together a national certification or licence so that way, because I know a lot of therapists like to travel and I would actually when we kind of get into retirement age, I would love to be travelling in an RV and like offer massage just as a little side thing, but if I don't have national licence, I don't know how I could do that. Yeah, but the I've just been in Texas so
yeah, that's fair. And it seems very progressive there as well. Which is which is nice to nice to know. And yeah, just kind of curious if you knew other experiences in the states and and that based on the CBD usage, are you able to share any memorable experiences that some of your clients have experienced? Experienced through using that like CBD products? Have you seen any, any changes in their health?
Um, yes. So it helps with you know, like the topical helps with muscle tension and discomfort. Also, just educating people on taking it taking the oil can help with all kinds of things. And I've gotten good feedback. My mom for instance, she is hard for me because I can't Well, I can explain her experience. She had suffered from type two diabetes and went to the doctor and they said well, we're not supposed to tell you this. You kind of don't have it anymore, but we want to keep you on your medication and and she was like, she felt like the CBD really helped with the blood sugar levels. And you know, I've had clients tell me that it's helped with discomfort and helping with sleep and stress and stuff like that.
Yeah, amazing. And can I can I be selfish for an eminent and get your personal opinion on so I have migraines and so far so it's legal here we have retailers that you know that sell it and they are super knowledgeable everybody that I've you know, talked to in the in the shops has been super helpful about the information what has been your experience personally, and I mean, I appreciate you saying is a nice reminder like the CBD oil sublingual, it took took two weeks for you to really notice a difference It's, and I think that might also just be my my downfall as well is that I'm sort of taking it more as needed versus trying to, you know, create a routine out of it. So that was a nice reminder. But yeah, what has been your experience with with migraines, headaches, tension headaches with this, it's
really helps with that. As I was getting older, I guess I was, and it was probably related to the neck issues. I started getting migraines. And since I started taking CBD, I haven't had any now I'm not somebody who was getting them chronically, but I would get maybe when I started getting them, it was like maybe once every three or four months, and they were I mean, like bad. couldn't function had to be in bed, that kind of thing. And I haven't experienced that since then. So and also, I think it does build up in your system because there's times where I stopped taking it. But all those issues don't just come right back, you know? Yeah, so that's really nice that I don't know if you studied about the endocannabinoid system? Not much. No, have you heard about that? Okay, so that was basically discovered in the 90s, that we have a system in our body called the endocannabinoid system. And it's these receptors that basically are perfectly fit for cannabinoids from the plant. Which is pretty amazing to me. I feel like it is God's gift. Right, you know? So
anyway, okay. Great. That's so there's a natural element there. There's like a, you know, a biological Mike connection that, you know, to that?
Yes. And, of course, they're not really teaching that in schools. So this doctor that discovered that, I mean, you can look it up. It's pretty fascinating. Pretty interesting. So I guess, sometimes I think if I could go back, I would love to be a cannabis doctor. Yeah, this is pretty fascinating. Yeah.
Yeah. I mean, yeah, just didn't need to know what the time though, either, right. Things have just, yeah. Just just changed over over the years. So that's really it could still be another this the retirement job? Yes, it could, we wanted to. Amazing. And as some of someone who is deeply immersed in the wellness industry and multiple areas there, what advice would you give to aspiring massage therapists or entrepreneurs looking to enter the massage field?
I would tell them to obviously, like Delve into different modalities, I think, well, I don't want to assume that I think a lot of people can go and get their licence, and then they get stuck and just from what they learned in school. So definitely expand on that. Some, some people right out the gate go out into their own business, which has a lot of other things that you have to juggle. You know, I just have an entrepreneurial brain. So it came naturally for me later, but I waited so long, I think I think I waited way too long to start my own business. So I think if some people are wanting to get into the industry, really consider you know what your goals are? Because for a long time, I was just kind of going along with things and not really thinking about the big picture what what I want to do.
You mentioned that you would want to start you waited a bit longer than that. Maybe you should have to start your own massage practice. What what do you feel were some of the things holding you back?
I think just typically, I was I was scared of the marketing and putting myself out there. I think a lot of us are very introverted, and I didn't want to put myself out there. I moved to a small town outside of Dallas, Texas, and I called every chiropractor in the area, there was no spas. So I called every chiropractor seeing If they were hiring, and they all said no. And I told my husband and I said, I don't really have a choice, I have to open my own practice. And he was just like, Who wants massage out here? And I was very lucky, because there was just hardly any competition. There wasn't like big massage MBAs or you know, the big chains or anything around which you know, wouldn't be a big deal if they were there. But I was just scared to jump into it and put myself out there. But I'm really glad that I did. And it's it's not as scary as it seems.
Right? Yeah, absolutely. I agree with that. And like you said, you've got the entrepreneur, brain and, and heart anyway. So once you you jumped into it. And I think having no choice is is a big pusher, of course and not, you know, like that. We're going to make them good. There's no other choice. I'm going to open my own because there's no other place to work. And then once you're in it, well, I can't go anywhere now. Because can't change my mind. Because now I'm the only one and now. It's a success. So that's, that's awesome. Good for you.
Thank you. Yeah,
amazing. Like, can you let people know how they they can connect with you as well. If they're interested in learning more about you or your practice? Can you give give some information?
Yes, I am on Facebook. My name is Kumi Taylor. So pretty easy to search for. And then my website is Kumys, massage and wellness.com. So Kum, i s massage and wellness.com. And you can find my website and a lot of info there. And you can contact me through there too.
Excellent. Anything, any final thoughts? Anything we didn't get to share? In the podcast that you you had your heart on? Sharing?
I'm not really I just also wanted to say, don't be afraid of retailing. I mean, you don't have to retail CBD, it can be whatever products you're really passionate about. It's a great add on financially, that's not physically, you know, intensive. So I had a girlfriend come in to my office. And she said, don't you sell CBD products? I said yes. She said, Well, where are they? Right? And I said, here they are pulled out a box of my CBD products. And I was digging through and I was like, Here's what she said you need to have a retail shelf. I mean, I felt like, Duh, that's kind of a no brainer. But she worked retail. So she's like it you need. She's like don't put you don't have to put everything you stock out but have some stuff out and so that it kind of sells itself people see it and yeah,
no, that's a great, great add on for sure. Do you only sell the CBD products? Or do you have other items that you sell in your clinic?
Basically, I just sell that. I like to keep it simple. I have thought about adding on different things, possibly in the future. But for now I'm just sticking to that.
Okay, wonderful. Well, thank you so much for your time Kumi. I really appreciate that we were able to connect. It was back in 2020 when I saw your article, I think yeah, so I'm really glad that I was I was able to reach out and get you and I really appreciate your time.
