ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - Sarah-Jane Thompson

RMT: SARAH THOMPSON

GRADUATING YEAR: 2023

PRACTICE LOCATION: Home-based practice in Port Williams, Nova Scotia, as part of a joint venture with husband, Ian, called Herb & Feather

What were you doing prior to attending CCMH?

I was in two very high-stress industries! I was in local politics for over 8 years and also was in the restaurant business with my husband for 10+ years. I am also a Mom to two children, daughter 7, Hailey and son Harvey who is 5.

What made you choose massage therapy?

My life drastically shifted when we discovered some prenatal news regarding our unborn son approximately 6 years ago. After Harvey was born, he had several musculoskeletal conditions and we slowly developed a team around him comprised of; Chiro, Physio, Massage, and OT (to name a few) who inspired him and us to embrace this new journey we were on, to explore different healing options and modalities, and ultimately find a unique treatment plan that was best suited for our son. We watched the most incredible gains that were made with Harvey using these modalities. Through this very personal experience the floodgates opened on my quest to join the realm of healing and bringing this innate passion to others. One of my girlfriends also suggested I read the book Anat Baniel, Kids Beyond Limits – absolutely unreal book and completely life changing. It was noted early after our son was born that with his conditions he wouldn’t potentially walk until he was 3+ years old. Harvey took his first steps at 12-14 months. Anything is possible! 

What made you choose CCMH?

Returning to school at 40 years old was one of the scariest and most challenging things I have experienced to date! The self sabotage talk prior to enrolling was real, “you're too old now”, “it’s just too much”, “you have a good job", "just be happy with that”, “your life is already too busy”. You name it - I was thinking and feeling it! But I could not shake this intensely deep feeling of wanting to pursue Massage Therapy. Sharing my news with some family that also felt, “it was too much”, and trying to articulate with those around me how this fiery passion had awakened in my soul, it was something I knew I had to follow through with. I then had my admissions interview with CCMH. I immediately felt this sense of family and a feeling of calmness. CCMH is a family that embraces, accepts, and encourages you to follow your dreams no matter your age or past without any judgement. They understood on a connected level that sometimes you have this innate desire to pursue something that you just can’t ignore. I felt I had found this community of believers and fellow souls that want to help people on their healing journey, and it enhanced my excitement to a whole new level. I knew that CCMH was the best fit for me as a mature student and for where I was at in my life!

What was your experience at CCMH?

The first day of CCMH I walked in and maybe said 1 word for the first 3 months, lol! Then slowly, as the days passed and my guard descended, I allowed myself to fully step into this new journey. I began forming incredible connections with some of my classmates and faculty. Having very authentic and vulnerable conversations with my CCMH family, it became so comfortable to be fully OK with being me. I was learning that my fellow classmates and instructors were also these incredible souls that too have a diverse past, that are yearning to help others. Everyone in the CCMH family shared that commonality – the desire to help. It was refreshing, motivating, and inspiring, and allowed this confidence to grow inside me I didn’t even know existed. Realizing on the last day of school, and now stepping into the realm of treating patients outside of CCMH, that there is unexplainable confidence for who I am now as a being, that had never fully been released until I went to CCMH. I suppose the power of self that surfaces from being in a space with like-minded people, guided by empathetic teachers who believe in you, led by two change-makers in our profession is ultimately the best recipe for authentic alignment of your true self.

What is the focus of your practice as a Massage Therapist?

My husband and I have a joint venture together here in the Annapolis Valley, called Herb & Feather. I am the “Feather” side of the business which is my Massage Therapy studio. This aspect represents my love and passion for helping people feel grounded and peaceful, helping people return to homeostasis, helping calm their nervous system, slowing things down by introducing special elements into each of my treatment sessions & the energy of my studio space. Having a direct focus on preventive care as well working with patients who have mental health concerns, stress, anxiety, chronic pain, tension and overall, any body discomfort.

I absolutely LOVED learning all about the benefits of hydrotherapy while in school which inspired me to install a beautiful copper tub in my home studio to utilize during my treatment sessions. I have teamed up with some local producers here in the Valley (one who makes bath bombs) and one who made my homemade aromatherapy oils with herbs grown on their very own property. The blends are unreal and I am hoping that people can feel the love and passion that went into creating a safe space to relax, release, heal and enjoy. I have a unique clientele booking with me so far – Port Williams is quite diverse ranging from young people, middle aged families, students to seniors, and people presenting with differing abilities and everyone in-between. Also, being a mom and feeling incredibly passionate around helping my own children maintain balance and calmness by practicing good breathing and intentional touch, I have designed a speciality offering at my studio for littles and most importantly, littles with all abilities!

Lastly, one truly neat aspect about our business is we have an overnight guest suite offering which enables guests to book massages with me during their stay! Really excited to treat people that have booked with me throughout the summer from all around the world. This is pretty cool!