The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast

Krista Dicks
  • 4.8 (16)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Hi, I’m Krista, and I love sharing the stories of massage therapists from around the world. I am constantly fascinated by the way our career allows freedom, flexibility, fun, and financial success. I find massage therapists who are living proof that we have a profession like no other that allows us to live life on our terms. Why me? I'm an RMT since 2006 and a clinic owner but, I started this podcast to share YOUR story. Not mine. YOU are the Radical Massage Therapists who inspire me each day. Thanks for being here to support our goals beyond massage, build up the profession, and enjoy life!

  1. #148 Why Not Me? Designing a Sustainable Massage Career with Michelle Ratz-McGuire, RMT

    5D AGO

    #148 Why Not Me? Designing a Sustainable Massage Career with Michelle Ratz-McGuire, RMT

    What if building a sustainable massage career didn’t require more hustle, more techniques, or more sacrifice? In this episode, I chat with Michelle Ratz-McGuire, RMT and hypnotherapist from Waterloo, Ontario, for a grounded, honest conversation about designing a massage career that supports your life—not the other way around. Michelle shares her journey from social work to massage therapy, why she transitioned to a mat-based, Thai-inspired approach, and how addressing money mindset, boundaries, and nervous system regulation changed everything. This episode explores what it really takes to earn well, protect your energy, and enjoy your work long-term—without abandoning hands-on care. If you’ve ever thought “must be nice” while scrolling social media, struggled with over giving, or wondered how to make this career feel better day-to-day—this conversation is for you. - Contact Michelle Socials @rmt.michelle Website: RMTMichelle.com Freebie: reverse engineering your income goals https://rmtmichelle.com/incomegoals Mentioned in This Episode For the full list check out The Radical Massage Therapist Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast Email: ⁠⁠krista@theradicalrmt.com⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.theradicalrmt.com⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠ @theradicalmassagetherapist⁠⁠ Let's Chat- 30 Minutes to Clarity (On Me): ⁠Book Here

    58 min
  2. #147 The Mentorship Call Hotline: Your Biggest Questions, My Honest Answers: Krista Dicks, RMT

    FEB 1

    #147 The Mentorship Call Hotline: Your Biggest Questions, My Honest Answers: Krista Dicks, RMT

    In this solo episode, I'm sharing the six questions that come up again and again in mentorship calls with massage therapists. These questions span pricing, scheduling, clinic loyalty, mobile massage, clinic ownership, and the desire to grow without doing more hands-on work. Through real mentoring stories and practical frameworks, this episode offers clarity, permission, and actionable steps for building a sustainable massage career. Topics Covered Raising rates without guiltCreating balance without abandoning clientsLeaving a clinic while honoring yourselfBuilding a mobile massage practice with structureClinic ownership clarity and lease red flagsExpanding your career without adding massage hours 🩵 This Episode is brought to you by ⁠Jane.app⁠ 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO __ Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast Email: ⁠krista@theradicalrmt.com⁠ Website: ⁠www.theradicalrmt.com⁠ Instagram:⁠ @theradicalmassagetherapist⁠ Let's Chat- 30 Minutes to Clarity (On Me): Book Here __ Mentioned in this episode; Fear Setting- Why you should define your fears instead of your goals | Tim Ferriss | TED #075 How to Use Ghost Appointments in Your Massage Practice

    44 min
  3. #146 Massage Therapy Deserves Better Treatment Rooms with Jamie Smith

    JAN 25

    #146 Massage Therapy Deserves Better Treatment Rooms with Jamie Smith

    What if your treatment room was doing half the work for you? In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I’m joined by Jamie Smith — a former massage therapist of nearly 20 years turned interior designer and founder of Happy Haüs Studios. Jamie specializes in designing restorative spaces for healthcare providers and wellness practitioners, and she brings a rare perspective that bridges hands-on care with science-backed design. We explore why the divide between “clinical” and “relaxation” spaces doesn’t actually serve clients or therapists, how nervous system safety affects treatment outcomes, and why design choices like lighting, sound, storage, and visual clutter matter more than we’ve been taught. This conversation is practical, thoughtful, and deeply validating for massage therapists who want their work environment to support their body, their clients, and their long-term career. This Episode is brought to you by Jane.app 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO - Contact Jamie Smith Happy Haüs Studios Free DIY Treatment Room Design Guide (instant download) Online CEU Course: Treatment Room Design for Practitioners Blog: https://happyhausstudios.com/blog Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast Email: krista@theradicalrmt.com Website: www.theradicalrmt.com Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist

    59 min
  4. #145 When Your Massage Business Becomes the Boss: A Reflection on Taking Back Control with Krista Dicks, RMT

    JAN 20

    #145 When Your Massage Business Becomes the Boss: A Reflection on Taking Back Control with Krista Dicks, RMT

    This solo episode is a candid reflection sparked by my chat with Amy Bradley Radford on her podcast Massage. Business. Success.The thoughtful questions Amy prepared created space for real reflection — the kind we rarely slow down enough to do. I wanted to share more in this episode about what it means when your business quietly becomes the boss, how defining success as a full schedule can limit freedom, and why ownership (even as an independent contractor) changes everything. I also share a behind-the-scenes update on her upcoming meeting with an Ontario MPP regarding OCF-18 forms, how I prepared, and what advocating for our profession actually looks like in real life working alongside the RMTAO. This episode is about leadership, responsibility, mentorship, and building a massage career that supports time freedom, financial security, flexibility, and joy outside the treatment room — not one that quietly drains it. This Episode is brought to you by Jane.app 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO - Mentioned in This Episode: Amy Bradley Radford – Massage Business Success Podcast Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink (I liked the audiobook) Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO) Episode #139 – The Voice at the Table with Michael Feraday Episode #140 – Define It to Deliver It: Client Expectations with Amy Bradley Radford No Hurry No Pause: 17 Questions that Changed My Life from with Krista Dicks, RMTTim Ferriss – 17 Questions That Changed My Life - Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast 📧 krista@theradicalrmt.com 🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com 📸 Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist

    50 min
  5. #144 Save Your Hands, Save Your Career. Injury Prevention and Ergonomics for Massage Therapists with Lauriann Greene

    JAN 11

    #144 Save Your Hands, Save Your Career. Injury Prevention and Ergonomics for Massage Therapists with Lauriann Greene

    What if the aches and pains you’ve been told are “part of the job” actually aren’t? In this episode, I sit down with Lauriann Greene, one of the most respected voices in injury prevention and ergonomics for massage therapists. She’s been researching, writing, and teaching on this topic for nearly 30 years and is the author of Save Your Hands!: The Complete Guide to Injury Prevention and Ergonomics for Manual Therapists—a book many massage schools still recommend or require. We unpack some of the most common myths in massage education, including the idea that pain is normal, that good body mechanics alone will keep you safe, and that therapists simply need to push through discomfort. Lauriann shares the research behind injury rates in our profession, explains why injuries are multifactorial, and outlines what actually supports long-term career longevity for hands-on practitioners. We also talk about treatment room ergonomics, gradual workload increases, and how listening to your body is a professional skill—not a weakness. This conversation is grounded in evidence, experience, and deep care for the people doing the work. ✨ At the end of the episode, we dive into a special listener Q&A with Lauriann, where she answers real questions from massage therapists about hands-on workload, tools, ergonomics, and practical ways to protect their bodies across a long career. If you want to keep practicing on your terms—and enjoy a full life outside the treatment room—this episode is a must listen. OFFER: Get 20% off the regular price of Save Your Hands! 3rd Edition with THIS LINK CONTACT LAURIANN: EMAIL: info@saveyourhands.com WEBSITE: https://saveyourhands.com 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is ⁠Jane.app⁠ and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠⁠Jane.app⁠⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO CONNECT WITH THE RADICAL MASSAGE THERAPIST PODCAST Email: krista@theradicalrmt.com Website: www.theradicalrmt.com Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist

    1h 28m
  6. #143 Reframing Impostor Syndrome in Your Massage Career with Krista Dicks, RMT

    JAN 4

    #143 Reframing Impostor Syndrome in Your Massage Career with Krista Dicks, RMT

    Impostor syndrome has a way of sneaking in at every stage of a massage career—new grad, seasoned therapist, clinic owner, educator, or mentor. In this solo episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I gett honest about what impostor syndrome has looked like across my own career, from hands-on clinical work to clinic ownership, podcasting, and leadership. This episode is a grounded conversation about confidence, self-trust, and learning how to keep moving forward even when doubt shows up. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “good enough,” wondered if you’re actually helping your clients, or felt like you’re somehow winging it—this episode is for you. As mentioned, this episode is inspired by this Ted Talk "How you can use impostor syndrome to your benefit | Mike Cannon-Brookes" 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is Jane.app and now, the radical massage therapist community can try ⁠Jane.app⁠ for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO - Connect With The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast: 📧 krista@theradicalrmt.com🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com📱 Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist -

    25 min
  7. #142 The Reddit Episode: Laughs, Cringe, and Lessons From Both Sides of the Table with Samantha Storozuk, RMT

    2025-12-31

    #142 The Reddit Episode: Laughs, Cringe, and Lessons From Both Sides of the Table with Samantha Storozuk, RMT

    For our last episode of 2025, We welcome back Samantha Storozuk, RMT to the podcast for a “Reddit stories” episode diving into the wild, weird, and wonderfully relatable side of massage therapy. From client awkward moments to therapist mishaps. You’ll laugh, cringe, and leave with a few practical reminders about communication, comfort on the table, and what clients are allowed and encouraged to ask for during a treatment. In this episode, we cover: Why this format works: therapist stories + client stories (and what each teaches us) Client comfort: shifting on the table, speaking up, and “you’re not being annoying” energy What a client can do when they feel uneasy with a therapist’s vibe Therapist “oops” moments, social awkwardness, and how to recover with professionalism. - Contact Samantha Storozuk, RMT Instagram: @samanthastorozukrmt - More from Samantha Storozuk, RMT Episode #063 "Go with the flo and sync your schedule" Union 108 - Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast krista@theradicalrmt.comwww.theradicalrmt.com@theradicalmassagetherapist- Mentioned On & Off The Table Podcast: Client Horror Stories. Real or Reddit?“Gesundheit” comes up as a sneeze-response discussion point; it’s a German word meaning “health,” commonly used after sneezing. (Merriam-Webster)

    1h 6m
  8. #141 From Competition to Connection: What Massage Therapists Can Learn from Thai Massage and world champions with Len Liang

    2025-11-02

    #141 From Competition to Connection: What Massage Therapists Can Learn from Thai Massage and world champions with Len Liang

    In this episode, I chat with Len Liang, double gold medalist at the 2025 World Massage Championship, to talk about what it really takes to compete—and teach—with heart.Len shares the artistry of Thai massage, how adaptability keeps therapists effective and inspired, and why being yourself is the ultimate competitive advantage. Len shares lessons from international travel, mentorship, and losing as gracefully as winning, while breaking down the misconceptions about Thai massage and showing how it can extend your career and creativity. Contact Len: Instagram: @waikru.massage  Website: www.bahnthaispa.com  Mentioned: Bahn Thai Spa & School (Toronto, ON): bahnthaispa.com International Massage AssociationITM Chiang Mai – International Training Massage School, Northern ThailandNew Massage AssociationWorld Massage FederationAmerican Massage ChampionshipCanada Massage Therapy Summit World Association of Nuad Thai and Spa Team Canada Massage Competitors Canadian International Massage Therapy Championship: Laval, Quebec — April 18–19, 2026 Contact The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast 📧 krista@theradicalrmt.com 🌐 www.theradicalrmt.com📸 Instagram: @theradicalmassagetherapist

    1h 12m
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4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Hi, I’m Krista, and I love sharing the stories of massage therapists from around the world. I am constantly fascinated by the way our career allows freedom, flexibility, fun, and financial success. I find massage therapists who are living proof that we have a profession like no other that allows us to live life on our terms. Why me? I'm an RMT since 2006 and a clinic owner but, I started this podcast to share YOUR story. Not mine. YOU are the Radical Massage Therapists who inspire me each day. Thanks for being here to support our goals beyond massage, build up the profession, and enjoy life!

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