We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy K Merriam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy K below.
Hi Amy K, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
At one point, I thought I had to follow a specific path to success, like everyone else around me. I saw people climbing ladders and ticking boxes, thinking that was the only way to achieve success. But the more I followed that route, the more I felt like I was losing myself.
The truth is, being different from those around me whether in terms of my background, my journey, or my perspective has become powerful to me. I’ve realized that my success doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s, and that understanding has made all the difference. I stopped measuring my worth by the world’s standards and chose to define success on my own terms, aligning it with the discovery of my true identity.
Being the only one in the room who looks like me used to feel isolating. But now, it feels empowering. It’s a reminder that I have my own unique rhythm and purpose. Rather than trying to blend in,
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’ll never forget the moment I realized my hands could do more than just work they could heal. That realization changed everything for me. Today, I’m proud to be a licensed massage therapist and a small business owner, but my journey here was anything but straightforward.
As an immigrant from Thailand, I’ve spent much of my life searching for where I truly belong. Growing up in a small village with limited opportunities, I always dreamed of something bigger—something that felt like it could be mine. Staying in my hometown was never an option for me. There was this fire inside me, this unshakable drive to push forward, even when I wasn’t sure where I was headed. I know many of us have felt that same pull the need to break free from the familiar and create something meaningful.
After completing my undergraduate studies, I wandered through different paths traveling, living abroad, and working in various roles. Yet, nothing truly fulfilled me. Deep down, I wasn’t just looking for a career; I wanted to make an impact on people’s lives. That longing eventually led me to massage therapy a profession that opened my eyes to the body’s incredible ability to heal itself.
Becoming a massage therapist was transformative. It wasn’t just about learning techniques; it was about discovering the joy of being part of someone’s healing journey
a channel through which restoration and relief could flow. But even when you find your passion, challenges can creep in. There were moments when imposter syndrome whispered doubts into my mind: “Am I good enough? Can I really make this work?” The pressure to measure success by society’s standards, wealth, status was overwhelming at times. At one point, I even considered walking away from this career to chase something more “practical,” but deep down, I knew it would leave me feeling empty.
Then came a turning point that changed everything for me. During one of my lowest moments, I prayed for clarity and guidance and that night, I had a vivid dream that still feels as real as the air around me. In the dream, I stood alongside two men as we bowled together in quiet companionship. Suddenly, an audible voice filled the space: “Pray for me and pray for your clients.” The words were simple yet profound – a command spoken with gentle strength. When I woke up, those words stayed with me like a beacon of light.
That dream reignited my purpose and reminded me why I chose this path in the first place: to help others heal—not just physically but emotionally and spiritually too. Moments like helping a client walk without pain after years of chronic discomfort remind me why this work matters so much. Every session is an opportunity to offer comfort and care to make someone’s day just a little bit brighter.
What makes this work so meaningful isn’t just the physical healing
it’s the personal connections I build with every client who walks through my door. Each person brings their own story, their own struggles, their own hopes for healing and being part of their journey is an honor I don’t take lightly. I listen deeply to their needs and craft treatments tailored specifically for them because every body and every soul is unique.
Over the years, I’ve expanded my expertise by becoming certified in various modalities with a special focus on injury treatment and chronic pain management. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people not only feel better physically but regain confidence in their daily lives to see them move through the world with less pain and more peace.
Of course, there are challenges along the way moments of doubt or exhaustion but now I face them with faith and determination. Every time I ease someone’s pain or lift a heavy heart, I’m reminded that this work is part of something bigger than me. And that keeps me going.
Right now, I’m preparing to expand my business into something more meaningful. While the full vision hasn’t revealed itself yet, I can feel it taking shape and it excites me beyond words. My goal has never been just to provide a service; it’s to create a ripple effect of wellness that touches lives far beyond my treatment room.
I believe that compassion combined with expertise can create lasting change not just in bodies but in hearts too. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned on this journey, it’s that healing is never just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about nurturing what’s whole and helping people rediscover their strength.
This is my calling and every day, I’m grateful to live it.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Empathy: I carry a deep empathy for others. I can feel their pain, sense their energy, and my heart always feels for them.
For a long time, I thought this sensitivity was a weakness. But now, I see it for what it truly is: a quiet, powerful strength. I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel deeply as long as I also remember to take care of myself when the weight of it all becomes too much.
Lifelong Learning: Growing Skills and Knowledge in this field you can always be better and stronger
Massage therapy is an ever-evolving field, and staying curious has been key to my growth. From learning new techniques to deepening my understanding of anatomy and physiology, committing to ongoing education has kept me inspired and confident in my work.
Advice: Never stop learning, question everything, seek the truth, and have faith in the journey.
And through it all, I walk in faith-trusting each step, even when the path feels uncertain. I know there will be struggles along the way, but I hold onto the belief that who you walk with determines where you’ll land.
As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that money and things don’t mean as much to me anymore. What matters most is living in obedience to God, following Jesus, and doing what brings peace to my soul. True fulfillment comes from being who He created me to be and living with purpose.
I’ve discovered that genuine fulfillment isn’t about external accomplishments; it’s about finding inner peace and living authentically being true to who I am and what I believe in.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
If I knew I only had a decade of life left, I would continue following the path I feel led to, trusting that everything else will fall into place. I wouldn’t waste time worrying about the details but would focus on staying true to my heart and living with intention. My faith reminds me to embrace each day as a gift and let life unfold as it should.
This belief is rooted in Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV):
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
This verse inspires me to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all else will be provided. With this mindset, I would spend my decade focusing on what truly matters: nurturing relationships with loved ones, serving others, pursuing what brings me joy and meaning, and deepening my connection with God. Each day would be an opportunity to live fully and faithfully, knowing that tomorrow will take care of itself.
All I truly want is for people to love one another to treat each other with kindness, respect, and compassion. I know I’m not perfect, and I never will be, but deep in my heart, I hope to see humanity unite as one, beyond race, class, skin color, or background.
In my own journey, I’ve learned that life is far too short to carry hate or let division take up space in our hearts. Everything around us is temporary or the moments, the things, even the pain. But love? Love is what stays. It’s the one thing we leave behind that truly matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.peacefulwellnesspnw.com
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