Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to LaTosha Tervo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
LaTosha, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
Do the things that scare you. The development of my confidence and self-esteem has consisted of thousands of moments where I’ve pushed out of my comfort bubble, just a little bit. Once I feel comfortable again, I breach my bubble in a different area.
When I decided that I was going to get certified in massage therapy, I’d never received a massage myself. I was terrified at the thought of stripping down to allow a stranger to see and touch what I perceived to be a grossly imperfect body. But, I overcame that fear and quieted those negative thoughts. I did something that scared me and it changed the course of my life forever. The first few months were difficult, I struggled with feelings of self-consciousness and inadequacy. But, I continued to show up every day, fully present and willing to be vulnerable. By the end of my schooling, I emerged appreciating my body wholly, which allowed me to fully appreciate and accept other bodies as well.
Even now, six years later, I encounter situations that provoke growth on a constant basis. Each time I tackle it head on, and my comfort bubble grows. Now, I feel confident in my skills to provide massage therapy for pregnant women, elderly clients, clients who have cancer, disabled clients, injured clients, etc. Each, at some point, was a first for me and had me doubting whether I could provide quality therapy. I did the research, communicated thoroughly, and most importantly learned from them. My clients are the best teachers!
My confidence and self-esteem will continue to ebb and flow through out the course of my life. What’s most important is to allow myself grace through the lows and to be proud of myself during the highs. And, to keep seeking out the things that scare me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I love and appreciate the freedom and creativity that comes with what I do. Along with massage therapy, there are a lot of other services offered in my office. I’ve been lucky enough to partner with my mom, who offers ionic detox footbaths. There is a lymphatic specialist who shares my office with me. I host a wide array of classes centered around self care, this weekend I have a group coming to learn about Raindrop essential oil therapy. What started as a fun side project has turned into a small shop of self-care items that I run out of my office. It’s a growing collection of locally made products crafted by many talented people. Organic body care, hand-made ceramics, heat packs, candles, smudge wands, and much more to come!
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?
Networking:
When my business was a starting seed, the most valuable tool I utilized was word-of-mouth. I traded work with other massage therapists, offered my services at many volunteer events, and joined groups with others that shared my interests. People like to talk! Over time, my clientele grew due to the kind things people had to say about me and my business.
Staying present:
It’s easy to get overwhelmed, about present issues and the infinite issues yet to come with starting your own business.
I’ve worked to develop a positive habit of “leaving everything at the door” when I walk into my office. I take a few moments to set my intention for the day, usually followed by inhaling some essential oils for grounding. This allows me to be fully present with my client as soon as they walk in, and to provide them with my best work. Once I get home, I consciously make a point to “leave everything at the door” again, allowing me to enjoy my down time and to reset for the next work day.
Trusting the process:
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust that I will be provided for. I trust myself to administer quality therapy and I trust my work to provide for me financially. There have been many times that I’ve wondered, worried and fretted about things coming together the way I want them to. Over time, I’ve learned that I am always taken care of, even if it isn’t in the way I envisioned. Once I’ve done the things that are within my control, I’ve learned to surrender and accept the things that aren’t. I can say, I’ve found much better things to do with the extra time that isn’t spent stressing!
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Last year, I received an unexpected set-back. I was involved in a serious car accident that left me in the ICU for a week, my right upper body was crushed. I had surgical steel implanted along my right wrist, collar bone and shoulder blade. I fractured 8 ribs, my lung collapsed, and I had serious lacerations to my liver and kidney. I rely so heavily on using my right arm for work, I was worried that my career would be over. When I was released from the hospital, I spent 3 months at home, immobilized and on oxygen. From there, I began the long, complicated road to recovery. I have had the opportunity to experience and benefit from the healing properties of Acupuncture, Qigong, Physical Therapy and (of course) lots of massage! I am happy to say, with the support of my friends, family and clients, I have recently re-opened my massage practice and I am now working at a full time capacity. There are still some complications with my healing process and I will most likely have more surgeries in the future. Despite the bumps in the road, I plan on continuing to share the gift of massage and to enjoy a long and healthy career!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://latoshatervomassage.as.me
- Facebook: LaTosha Tervo LMT
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