Chances are that if you have come visit us Friday-Sunday, you’ve met our lovely massage therapist and front of the house lady: Kathleen. The gorgeous redhead, who’s originally from Tennessee, started working with us back in the Fall of 2015 and we couldn’t have asked for a better fit! We recently sat down with Kathleen for a personal one-on-one, check out what she had to share below:
What brought you to Boulder?
Adventure! I had not lived ‘west of the Mississippi River’ and was lured by the all seasons active lifestyle, the Rocky Mountains, and the like-minded health community.
We know a big part of Boulder culture is all about health and the great outdoors. Is that something that appeals to you? Are you involved in an active activity, and if so, what?
Greatly appealing! It’s lovely to get energized from the scenery and weather alone, but to have a community that is conscious on so many levels keeps me energized about actively participating in it! Paddle boarding is my new jam!
What’s your favorite thing about working at Barris?
I really have many favorite things about working at Barris. The women I work with are all role models of mine, fiercely smart, beautiful, and the absolute best at what they do. They inspire me daily. The clients of Barris are a wonderful reflection of these women. I meet some extraordinary people that walk through our doors. I learn something new everyday. I’ve learned how to take good care of my skin. And whether I’m massaging a client or helping them through reception, I am so happy to be helping them, and that’s definitely another favorite part of working here.
How long have you been a Massage Therapist, and how did you get involved in that line of work?
Almost 10 years! A few factors growing up had to have led me to Massage Therapy. I credit my Aunt Paula for developing my touch at a very early age. She called them ‘back tickles,’ which was a light and soothing never-ending back scratching treatment that helped her sleep. After all, that’s what little nieces are for! I became a serious gymnast during grade school and all throughout Jr. High. 40 hours a week of training after school plus competitive meets on the weekends had my muscles sore more than not. I did not receive professional massage myself, but I could find all my teammates sore spots, and further learned the symmetry of the body that if you were sore on one side, it was most likely sore on the other side too. I used to love to measure with my fingers across the spine to find the sore spot on the other side. I was 13. By high school, I was hooked learning Anatomy and Physiology. It wasn’t until I worked as a guest service member at a spa that I knew I wanted to be a massage therapist. I saw people come in with pain and walk out as if on a cloud. I wanted to know how massage worked, and how I could apply my passion for anatomy and kinesiology into massage to help people however I could.
What would you say is your specialty as a Massage Therapist?
Orthopedic Sports Massage is my specialty. It’s a modality that covers a lot of territory, and restores the body’s natural healing process. You don’t have to be an athlete or have an injury to benefit from it, but it does treat overuse, chronic pain, limited range of motion, etc. The modality is geared towards having your muscles ready for whatever you’re up to, as opposed to just relaxation or pain relief. It’s all three!
Finish the sentence- The best skincare tip I have to share is:
to always wear your sunscreen, and drink water. This dry climate demands both! Also, a weekly at home mask treatment added to my routine has totally changed my dryness.
Something you wish all the clients at Barris knew:
That no matter who you see here at Barris or what you are coming in for, you are in the best hands, hands down! And if you didn’t know that we also offer massage, now you know, and I’m here for you!