Making Self-Care

Chelsea DeSouza-Nenno
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This podcast is for massage therapists — and for those serious about understanding stress and wellness. Hosted by Chelsea DeSouza, Licensed Massage Therapist, certified holistic health coach, and naturopathy-trained practitioner, the show offers real conversations about burnout, business, ethics, regulation, stress physiology, and sustainable self-care — elevating both the profession and the people it serves.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Why I Stopped Trading Massage Therapy (And What It Taught Me About Boundaries)

    In this episode, I share a personal decision I made early in my massage therapy career: I stopped trading sessions with other therapists. Trading is common in our profession, and it’s not wrong — I’ve traded with ranchers, accountants, juice makers, and other providers. But when it came to trading with other massage therapists, I realized it was costing me more than it was helping me. I talk about scheduling stress, blurred boundaries, professionalism, and the mental load of “owing” sessions. I also share how paying for massage instead of trading changed the way I receive bodywork — and brought more peace to my practice. We’ll also discuss something more controversial: the uniqueness of your flow. Your touch, your routine, your personality — they are yours. And I believe they are worth protecting and valuing. If you’re a massage therapist navigating trades, boundaries, ethics, or simply trying to build a sustainable career, this conversation is for you. Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios 🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives. Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms. Shop: https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Social Media: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty Facebook: https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty Website: https://hafenbeauty.com Have your question answered on the podcast - email hafenbeauty@gmail.com with the title podcast in the subject line.

    18 min

  2. 17 FEB

    Massage Therapy in the Headlines: WA Legislation, National Policy & Why I Don’t Take Insurance

    In this episode, I share what’s happening right now in massage therapy — nationwide and here in Washington State — from recent license suspensions tied to felony charges, to human trafficking enforcement discussions, interstate licensure compact updates, and new laws targeting illicit massage businesses. I also break down Washington House Bill 1093 (Medicaid coverage for massage), substitute bills affecting insurance clawbacks and claim timelines, and ongoing rulemaking under RCW 18.108 and WAC 246-830. As someone who has practiced for 10 years and has chosen not to take insurance, I share my personal opinion on why I believe many LMTs should reconsider billing insurance. While healthcare recognition is important, the red tape, reimbursement risks, and loss of clinical autonomy are real concerns for small business owners. This is a policy-heavy update — but from my perspective as a Washington LMT who cares about protecting our profession and helping therapists build stable, ethical practices. Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios 🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives. Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms. Shop: https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Social Media: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty Facebook: https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty Website: https://hafenbeauty.com Have your question answered on the podcast - email hafenbeauty@gmail.com with the title podcast in the subject line.

    9 min

  3. 19 JAN

    Social Media, AI & Professionalism in Massage Therapy: Why Human Touch Still Matters

    In this episode, I’m speaking directly to massage therapists about something that has been deeply bothering me: social media trends, provocative content in the massage space, and how it impacts the credibility of our profession. As a Licensed Massage Therapist in Washington State, I practice under the Department of Health as a healthcare provider, and that comes with a level of accountability, ethics, documentation, and professional boundaries that are often missing from what we see online. From HSA/FSA practices and HIPAA compliance to client care and therapeutic intention, true massage therapy is far more than what viral videos portray. We also dive into the bigger conversations happening in the industry right now — illicit businesses posing as massage establishments, public perception, regulation debates like fingerprinting, and how these issues affect legitimate therapists. Plus, I share my honest thoughts on AI, massage robots, and the growing tension between technology and human touch. Can massage ever be replaced by machines? Or is the human connection, emotional response, and therapeutic presence something technology simply cannot replicate? This episode is a reflective and professional discussion on: ​Social media ethics in massage therapy​Healthcare vs service-based perceptions of massage​Advocacy and professional boundaries​AI and robots in the massage industry​The rising value of human touch in a tech-driven world Whether you are a Licensed Massage Therapist, bodyworker, or wellness seeker who values ethical and therapeutic care, this conversation will help you think more critically about where the profession is headed — and why real human connection still matters in healthcare. Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios 🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives. Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms. Shop: https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Social Media: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty Facebook: https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty Website: https://hafenbeauty.com Have your question answered on the podcast - email hafenbeauty@gmail.com with the title podcast in the subject line.

    29 min

  4. 12 JAN

    Why Massage Therapists Quit: The Entrepreneur Mistake No One Talks About

    Why do so many massage therapists quit — marketing campaigns, new programs, social media, even entire business models? In this episode of Making Self Care, Chelsea DeSouza, Licensed Massage Therapist and LMT advocate, shares one of her biggest entrepreneurial mistakes: quitting. From stopping marketing campaigns after five days… to pivoting too quickly… to watching AI disrupt nutrition and protocol-based services — this is a raw look at what really happens behind the scenes of massage therapy entrepreneurship. If you’re an LMT, massage therapist business owner, or wellness entrepreneur struggling with marketing, sustainability, or pivoting in the age of AI, this episode is for you. Topics: ​Massage therapy marketing mistakes​Why LMTs pivot too fast​Fear of social media as a massage therapist​Entrepreneurship burnout​AI and its impact on wellness businesses​How to build sustainable massage therapy offers Subscribe on Substack for the full “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” series delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno?r=1qswzm&utm_medium=ios 🌿 Podcast Sponsor: Hafen Beauty Hafen Beauty is clean, minimal, organic skincare created for therapists and women who value simple, traditional ingredients. Made with grass-fed tallow and nutrient-dense oils, Hafen Beauty products are designed to support healthy skin without fillers, chemicals, or unnecessary additives. Created by a Licensed Massage Therapist for real skin and real treatment rooms. Shop: https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_psq=lmts&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Social Media: Instagram: https://instagram.com/hafenbeauty Facebook: https://facebook.com/hafenbeauty Website: https://hafenbeauty.com Have your question answered on the podcast - email hafenbeauty@gmail.com with the title podcast in the subject line.

    31 min

  5. 6 JAN

    Are We Showing Up for Our Profession? A Washington Massage Therapist Speaks

    I’ve been a Licensed Massage Therapist in Washington State for 10 years, and lately I’ve been asking myself — what’s missing in our profession? In this episode, I’m sharing my personal perspective on massage therapy in Washington. We talk about being classified as healthcare providers, the Board of Massage, legislation season, insurance vs. cash practices, professional associations like AMTA and WSMTA, and why so few LMTs actually engage in advocacy. This isn’t a policy breakdown — it’s a real conversation about community, competition, isolation in private practice, and whether we are truly showing up for our profession. If you’re a Washington LMT (or thinking about becoming one), this episode is for you. If this conversation resonates with you, go read “52 Mistakes of a Massage Therapist Entrepreneur” on Substack — where I share the real lessons I’ve learned building a clinic over the past 10 years so you don’t have to learn them the hard way. Host Bio: Chelsea DeSouza is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Washington State, certified holistic health coach, and trained in Traditional Naturopathy. She is the founder of Hafen Health and creator of The Hafen Way. With over 10 years in practice, Chelsea focuses on stress physiology, female hormones, gut health, and sustainable self-care. She is passionate about supporting massage therapists, educating the public on practical wellness, and helping individuals build health foundations that last. Podcast Sponsor – Hafen Beauty Skincare: This podcast is sponsored by Hafen Beauty, a non-toxic skincare line made with minimal, purposeful ingredients. Hafen Beauty features grass-fed, grass-finished tallow sourced from ethical ranchers, along with organic oils designed to support healthy, resilient skin. Products are small-batch, refill-friendly, and created for individuals who value simplicity and sustainability in their skincare routine. Links: Hafen Beauty: https://www.hafenbeauty.com Substack – The Hafen Way: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseadesouzanenno Hafen Beauty for LMTS: https://hafenbeauty.com/pages/hafen-for-lmts?_pos=1&_sid=17422e4a8&_ss=r

    17 min

  6. 21/01/2025

    Trusting Your Gut: The Intersection of Health and Intuition

    Welcome back to Making Self-Care! I’m your host, Chelsea De Souza, and today we’re diving into a powerful connection between gut health and intuition. As women, we often say, “I just had a gut feeling,” and more often than not, we’re right. But can we truly trust our gut if our health is imbalanced? In this episode, we explore how stress, diet, and lifestyle impact our microbiome and intuition. I share my personal journey of postpartum anxiety, burnout, and the realization that poor gut health can distort our internal guidance system. We discuss how God speaks through our bodies, how stress can cloud our judgment, and how healing our gut can restore clarity and confidence in our decisions. Join me as I outline the Five Dailies—simple yet transformative habits that will help you reclaim your health, energy, and trust in yourself. Plus, I share my sister’s incredible story of overcoming cancer through unwavering commitment to wellness. If you’re ready to take charge of your health in 2025, this episode is for you. Tune in and let’s embark on the journey to true wellness together! 🔹 Join my Private Care Membership: Get accountability, expert guidance, and exclusive discounts. www.hafenhealth.com 🔹 Schedule a Consultation: Let’s chat about your health goals. 🔹 Subscribe to My Weekly Emails: Stay inspired with practical self-care strategies. Visit HafenHealth.com to get started! Donate to Invest in someone’s wellness: www.venmo.com/u/chelsea-nenno code:4143 #GutHealth #TrustYourIntuition #WomensWellness #MakingSelfCare

    33 min

  7. 19/11/2024

    Reducing Stress and Lowering Cortisol Naturally

    Stress is inevitable, but chronic stress doesn’t have to control our lives. In this episode, I dive into what really happens when stress hits—from the hormones involved (hello, cortisol!) to the ways it impacts our bodies, minds, and hearts. We’ll explore how men and women experience stress differently, common everyday stressors, and why the typical solutions might not be enough. Then, I’ll share my favorite holistic strategies for lowering cortisol and finding real relief, covering mental, spiritual, physical, and even cellular approaches. Whether it’s practical tips you can use right now, a deep dive into how adaptogens like Ashwagandha work, or a simple stress inventory to figure out where your tension is coming from, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Join me to learn how to calm your body, reset your mind, and start nurturing a healthier, more balanced stress response—just in time for the holiday season. And don’t forget to register for our upcoming class on Reducing Cortisol and Balancing Stress for even more support! For naturopathic care www.hafenhealth.com Register for our upcoming class: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/classes/165bd491-e085-4931-a357-8413322e7573/80QVDR8MA1W1Z/classes

    28 min

  8. 23/10/2024

    Cycle Syncing Secrets: Part 2

    keywords: cycle phases, work dynamics, decision fatigue, self-care, team collaboration, energy management, leadership, women empowerment, productivity, emotional intelligence Summary: In this conversation, Chelsea discusses the significance of understanding the different phases of the menstrual cycle and how they can impact work dynamics, energy levels, and decision-making. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when to rest, brainstorm, take action, and reflect, aligning these phases with seasonal metaphors. The discussion also touches on the role of male colleagues in this cycle synchronization and how it can enhance workplace productivity. Additionally, Chelsea and Paige share insights on managing decision fatigue as a leader and the importance of self-care and collaboration within teams. takeaways Red phase is a time for rest and minimal planning. Yellow phase allows for brainstorming but no action. Green phase is the action phase where plans are executed. Blue phase focuses on task-oriented work and reflection. It's important to give yourself grace during low energy phases. The 'parking lot' method helps manage ideas and tasks. Men can match the energy of women in the workplace. Effective leadership involves coaching others to take ownership. Self-care is not just personal; it involves team dynamics. Organizing work around cycle phases can enhance productivity. The Role of Men in Cycle Awareness Navigating Work with Cycle Awareness "Red is your rest week." "Yellow is spring, brainstorming phase." "Green is summer, action phase." SoundBitesChapters 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Understanding the Red Phase 02:23 Exploring the Yellow Phase 03:49Taking Action in the Green Phase 04:16 Being Task-Oriented in the Blue Phase 09:02 Utilizing the Parking Lot 28:48 Reducing Decision Fatigue and Stress 34:59 Conclusion

    42 min
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About

This podcast is for massage therapists — and for those serious about understanding stress and wellness. Hosted by Chelsea DeSouza, Licensed Massage Therapist, certified holistic health coach, and naturopathy-trained practitioner, the show offers real conversations about burnout, business, ethics, regulation, stress physiology, and sustainable self-care — elevating both the profession and the people it serves.

Information

  • Creator
    Chelsea DeSouza-Nenno
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Chelsea DeSouza-Nenno
  • Show Website
    Making Self-Care