Massage. Business. Success.

Amy Bradley Radford
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Massage. Business. Success podcast, hosted by Amy Bradley Radford, focuses on helping massage therapists grow their businesses and improve their skills. It covers topics such as marketing strategies, business management, client retention, and pain management techniques, providing practical advice and insights to help massage therapists succeed in their careers.

  1. 1d ago

    PPS Episode 2: The Forces Behind Pain

    PPS Episode 2: The Forces Behind Pain Why can a muscle feel incredibly tight when it is actually being held in a lengthened position? Why can working somewhere far away from the painful area sometimes change the pain almost immediately? And why does tissue we work over and over sometimes seem to come right back?  Those were some of the questions that led me toward Pain Patterns & Solutions Bodywork. In this second PPS episode, I'm taking you deeper into the principles that changed the way I began thinking about pain, inflammation, scar tissue, and eventually force within the body. We start with something almost every massage therapist has encountered: that stubborn, painful spot in the rhomboids. I'll walk you through why “tight” doesn't necessarily mean “short,” and I'll tell you about the client who unexpectedly showed me a relationship between her painful rhomboid and scar tissue along her IT band. That discovery created more questions than answers. Why did working the IT band change the rhomboid? Why did the scar tissue eventually return? Why did the IT band stop responding after several treatments? And what was the body trying to maintain that I hadn't understood yet? Those questions eventually led me toward the idea of paired scar-tissue relationships, the order in which those relationships develop, and some surprisingly simple physics principles that helped me begin understanding what I had already been observing in my clients. We'll also begin exploring one of the larger ideas behind PPS: pain doesn't necessarily tell me where to work. Pain gives me a clue about where to start looking. This episode lays another piece of the PPS foundation and introduces concepts we'll continue developing next month when we explore direction, reversals, transfers, and what happens when the body's efficient suspension against gravity begins shifting toward compression. If PPS is new to you, I recommend beginning with PPS Episode 1: Learning to See the Body Differently, because these episodes are intentionally building on one another. Interested in learning PPS? I'm currently developing and testing the next generation of PPS training and refilming the hands-on curriculum. You'll find a PPS Interest Form in the resources below if you'd like to be notified as training and educational opportunities become available. Want to see the rhomboid/IT-band relationship? I've also included my YouTube demonstration in the resources below. It doesn't demonstrate the entire relationship discussed in this episode, but it gives you a visual introduction to that connection. Timestamps  00:00 — Welcome + What PPS Is 04:33 — PPS, Inflammation + Scar Tissue 16:09 — How PPS Differs From Myofascial Work 21:00 — Pain Is Often Felt in Lengthened Tissue 25:25 — The Rhomboid Client Who Changed Everything 27:43 — The Unexpected IT Band Connection 34:50 — Physics Enters the PPS Story 39:25 — The IT Band Wasn't the Beginning 44:06 — There Is an Order to Scar Tissue 48:49 — Untying the Knot 51:11 — Understanding Speed + Direction 55:58 — When Suspension Becomes Compression 58:23 — Pain Tells Me Where to Go 1:03:00 — Why I Kept Following the Unconventional 1:05:24 — Where PPS Goes Next WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PPS? If this episode has you curious about Pain Patterns & Solutions Bodywork, I’d love to know what you’re interested in learning. Fill out the short PPS Interest Form and tell me what you’d like to learn more about. It also makes sure I can get the right information to you as I release new PPS education, resources, classes, and future training opportunities. → Fill Out the PPS Interest Form SEE THE RHOMBOID + IT BAND CONNECTION Want to see the connection I talked about in this episode? I have a YouTube demonstration that gives you a simple visual introduction to the relationship between the IT band and rhomboid. It doesn't take you through the entire PPS pattern we discussed in this episode, but it's a great place to begin seeing the connection. → Watch the Rhomboid + IT Band Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1TSzNhMeEs&t=597s LOOKING FOR BUSINESS COACHING? Sometimes you don't need another class—you need someone to sit down with you, look at your business, and help you figure out what needs to happen next. If you'd like to explore working with me one-on-one, fill out my coaching application and tell me a little about where you are and where you'd like your business to go. → Apply for Business Coaching with Amy FREE RESOURCE FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS Discover Your Value — A free PDF to help you think differently about the value you bring to your clients and your career. → Download Discover Your Value MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD Website: amybradleyradford.com Business Coaching: Work With Amy YouTube: Amy Bradley Radford Store: Shop Amy's Products Instagram: @amybradleyradford LinkedIn: Amy Bradley Radford Facebook: Amy Bradley Radford Massage Business Coaching Align Essential Oils: Explore Align Essential Oils

    PPS Episode 2: The Forces Behind Pain

  2. Aug 4

    You Are the CEO of Your Massage Business

    Most massage therapists don't struggle because they aren't talented.  They struggle because no one ever taught them how to think like the owner of a business. In this episode, Amy explores one of the biggest mindset shifts every massage therapist must make: the difference between working in your business and leading your business. You'll learn why so many therapists unknowingly become employees inside businesses they own, how to recognize the habits that keep you stuck, and what it really means to wear the CEO hat. Inside this episode you'll discover: • Why ownership feels heavy—and why that's normal • The four employee habits that quietly limit business growth • Why working harder isn't the same as building a better business • How one weekly CEO Hour can completely change your direction • Why systems reduce stress and create momentum • The difference between your professional identity and your personal identity If you've ever felt overwhelmed, disorganized, or wondered why your business isn't moving forward despite working incredibly hard, this episode is for you. Because you're already the CEO. The only question is whether you've been wearing the hat. Timestamps  00:00 Welcome 00:40 The CEO Mindset 04:30 The Weight of Ownership 07:00 Wearing Different Hats 10:00 Why We Think Like Employees 11:30 Employee Habit #1 — My Work Ends When My Clients Leave 14:00 The CEO Hour 16:00 Employee Habit #2 — I'll Just Work More 19:00 The Power of the Hour 21:00 Employee Habit #3 — I'll Get To It Tomorrow 24:00 Three Goals Create Momentum 26:00 Employee Habit #4 — My Business Will Eventually Get Organized 29:00 PPS Principle: Fighting vs. Healing 32:00 Personal vs Professional Identity 36:00 Taking the CEO Hat Off 38:00 One Question to Ask Yourself This Week   Do you want to work with Amy as your coach? Fill out this coaching Application: https://forms.gle/8fX1mLawrRTwZ7Xs6 Discover Your Value Free PDF   MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ Amy Bradley Radford YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amybradleyradford8414 Store: https://2274d0.myshopify.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ Align Essential Oils: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/align-oils

    You Are the CEO of Your Massage Business

  3. Jul 28

    The Map I Wish I'd Had: The Story Behind The Massage Business Method

    How does a massage therapist become a business coach... without ever planning to? In this personal episode, Amy shares the story behind her journey—from teaching continuing education classes, to coaching massage therapists around the world, to discovering something much bigger than she ever expected. What started as individual conversations about referrals, pricing, schedules, repeat clientele, and business systems slowly revealed a pattern. Over time, Amy realized successful massage businesses don't grow randomly—they grow by solving the right problems at the right time. This episode is the origin story of The Massage Business Method—the framework that has quietly been developing over thirty years of practice, teaching, coaching, and now podcasting. If you've ever wondered: Why building a massage business feels so overwhelming... Why business advice sometimes doesn't seem to fit... Or how to build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it... This episode is for you. You'll also hear why Amy completely rebuilt her Maximize Your Massage Business class from the ground up—and why she now calls it "the map I wish someone had handed me when I graduated massage school." In this episode you'll learn: How coaching changed the way Amy thinks about business Why every massage business grows through predictable stages The connection between pricing, referrals, retention, scheduling, and systems How The Massage Business Method was discovered Why your business should support your life—not the other way around. Learn more: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome 01:05 How I Accidentally Became a Business Coach 04:20 The Pattern Every Massage Business Follows 10:55 Why Business Advice Doesn't Always Work 13:15 Building My First Business Class 17:20 Why I Started This Podcast 20:15 What Podcasting Taught Me 26:50 Every Class Started With My Own Problem 29:45 Discovering The Massage Business Method 33:45 Rebuilding Maximize Your Massage Business 37:00 Where the Podcast Is Going Next    OFFERS MENTIONED: Maximize Your Massage Business Course and Workbook: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/revenue   MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: Do you want to work with Amy? Fill out this coaching Application: https://forms.gle/8fX1mLawrRTwZ7Xs6 Coaching information: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ Amy Bradley Radford YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amybradleyradford8414 Store: https://2274d0.myshopify.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ Align Essential Oils: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/align-oils

    The Map I Wish I'd Had: The Story Behind The Massage Business Method

  4. Jul 21

    Why Success Requires a Different Way of Thinking With Shelle Hagan

    Graduating from massage school is exciting—but for many therapists, it's also where the biggest surprises begin. In this conversation, Amy Bradley Radford sits down with educator, school owner, business owner, and industry leader Shelle Hagen to explore what really happens after graduation and why technical skill alone isn't enough to build a thriving massage career. Together they discuss the gap between expectations and reality, why so many therapists struggle to build momentum, how confidence affects business success, and why changing your thinking is often the first step toward changing your results. Whether you're a brand-new graduate or a seasoned therapist looking to grow, this episode will challenge the way you think about success, business ownership, mentorship, customer service, and lifelong learning. In this episode you'll discover: Why graduation is only the beginning The biggest mindset shift successful therapists make Why passion alone isn't enough How confidence and consistency build successful businesses The importance of mentorship and coaching Practical ideas for attracting and retaining more clients Why collaboration—not competition—strengthens our profession If you've ever wondered why your career isn't growing the way you hoped, this conversation may help you see your next step in a completely different way. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction  01:00 Meet Shelle Hagen 05:35 The Gap Between Graduation and Reality 12:25 Expectations vs. Reality 17:00 What Work Ethic Really Means 22:00 Working Your Schedule 25:00 Why Waiting Doesn't Build a Business 31:20 Customer Service Still Matters 36:45 Coaching & Mentorship 44:00 Confidence Builds Successful Therapists 52:40 What Successful Therapists Have in Common 58:00 Changing the Way You Think 1:04:20 CoreStones 1:07:30 Massage Marketplace 1:13:15 Final Thoughts   OFFERS MENTIONED: www.corestonemassage.com  www.massagemp.com (Product code for Corestone discount on this site) MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: Do you want to work with Amy? Fill out this coaching Application: https://forms.gle/8fX1mLawrRTwZ7Xs6 Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ Amy Bradley Radford YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amybradleyradford8414 Store: https://2274d0.myshopify.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ Align Essential Oils: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/align-oils

    Why Success Requires a Different Way of Thinking With Shelle Hagan

  5. Jul 13

    PPS Episode 1: Learning to See the Body Differently

    For years, people have asked me one question: "Amy, what exactly is Pain Patterns & Solutions?" I finally realized I couldn't answer that by teaching techniques. Before I could explain what PPS is, I needed to explain why it exists. In this first episode of a new monthly PPS series, I'm taking you back to the beginning of my journey—back to the questions that changed the way I see the body, the clients who challenged everything I thought I knew, and the observations that eventually became Pain Patterns & Solutions. This isn't a lesson in scar tissue or mapping. It's an invitation to begin seeing the body differently. If you've ever wondered why pain keeps returning, why some clients respond beautifully while others don't, or why your hands sometimes tell you something your education can't quite explain, this conversation is for you. My hope isn't that you leave understanding PPS. My hope is that you leave asking better questions. In this episode you'll learn: Why I waited more than 30 years to tell my story The two experiences that forever changed how I observe the body Why curiosity became the foundation of PPS The biggest difference between traditional massage and PPS Why recurring pain led me to ask different questions How one client completely changed the direction of my career   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome 00:37 Why I'm finally telling the story of PPS 07:32 What is Pain Patterns & Solutions? 08:10 The Magic Eye story: learning to see differently 09:17 Drawing the air around the chair: negative space and observation 12:17 Why PPS works over different tissue than traditional massage 14:36 Curiosity, learning to see, and the "I see it" moment 17:30 The rhomboid and IT band client that changed everything 24:00 The journey from observations to mapping 30:55 The body is communicating—learning a different conversation 33:14 The continuing education class that changed my career 38:10 The question that changed everything: Why does pain come back? 40:28 Physics, balance, and the client who taught me about force 45:13 What's coming next on YouTube 47:36 PPS, business, and universal principles 49:31 Closing thoughts   Amy Bradley Radford YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@amybradleyradford8414 Do you want to work with Amy? Fill out this coaching Application: https://forms.gle/8fX1mLawrRTwZ7Xs6   MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ Store: https://2274d0.myshopify.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ Align Essential Oils: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/align-oils

    PPS Episode 1: Learning to See the Body Differently

  6. Jul 7

    Every Stage of Your Career Asks You to Think Differently

    When we graduate from massage school, we expect our career to grow as our skills improve. But what many of us discover is that every stage of our career asks something different of us. In this deeply personal episode, I share the lessons I wish someone had taught me during those first few years when I was trying to make sense of massage therapy, business, confidence, professionalism, and what it truly means to build a successful career. You'll hear the stories behind some of the biggest turning points in my own journey—from questioning my value as a new therapist to rebuilding after COVID, discovering the power of curiosity, and realizing that success isn't about arriving at a destination. It's about continuing to grow into the professional you're meant to become. Whether you work in a spa, a medical practice, a private office, or you're just beginning your career, I hope this conversation encourages you to stop seeing confusion as failure and begin seeing it as an invitation to think differently. In this episode you'll learn: • Why every stage of your career requires a different way of thinking • The difference between learning techniques and becoming a professional • How curiosity can become one of your greatest career assets • Why burnout and outgrowing your current career aren't always the same thing • How to build a career that reflects who you're becoming—not just what you've already accomplished If you've ever wondered whether you're on the right path, this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction  00:38 – Why Graduation Is Only the Beginning 08:00 – Learning the Craft: Confidence Comes One Client at a Time 12:25 – From Giving Massages to Creating Experiences 17:15 – Professionalism Is an Experience, Not a Credential 18:00 – Curiosity Changed My Career 22:00 – Burnout… or Have You Outgrown Your Career? 26:35 – The Story of Losing My Business During COVID 31:10 – Purpose Doesn't Disappear—The Delivery System Changes 33:20 – How COVID Completely Changed PPS 40:15 – Success Isn't a Destination 42:45 – Building a Career That Lasts 45:10 – Better Questions Lead to Better Thinking 47:20 – Why I Continue Teaching Massage Therapists 49:30 – Next Week: The Beginning of PPS   OFFERS:  The Ultimate Coaching Package on sale  (Reg. $1700) Now $997 until August 15th 2026 Finding Your Value PDF     MORE FROM AMY BRADLEY RADFORD: Coaching: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/coaching Website:   https://www.amybradleyradford.com/ Store: https://2274d0.myshopify.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/

    Every Stage of Your Career Asks You to Think Differently

  7. Jun 29

    The Career Lesson Massage School Didn't Teach Me

    When I graduated from massage school, I believed becoming a better therapist meant learning more techniques. For years I chased continuing education, certifications, and better answers—hoping the next class would finally give me the confidence I was looking for. But somewhere along the way, I realized the biggest lesson of my career wasn't another technique. It was learning how to think differently. In this deeply personal episode, I share the experiences that shaped my career, from recovering after a serious car accident to treating clients inside a physical therapy clinic, owning massage schools, developing Pain Patterns & Solutions, coaching massage therapists, and discovering what it really means to care professionally without carrying the weight of every client home with you. This episode also marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Massage Business Success Podcast as we move to a weekly format. Over the next year, I'll be sharing the lessons I've learned over more than thirty years in this profession to help bridge the gap between graduating from massage school and becoming the therapist you dreamed of becoming. In this episode, you'll learn: Why more certifications don't automatically create confidence. The invisible challenge every massage therapist faces after graduation. How learning to think differently changed my career. The difference between professional boundaries and professional caring. Why confidence comes from experience—not collecting techniques. The question that changed the way I approach business, pain management, and teaching. Why this podcast exists and what you can expect over the next year. Reflection Question: What am I trying to solve with another class that might actually require a different way of thinking? TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome to the Massage Business Success Podcast 01:34 - Massage is more than techniques 03:28 - The gap between school and real-world confidence 06:17 - Amy’s early career in physical therapy 09:03 - Caring deeply without overburdening yourself 11:50 - Professional boundaries vs. professional caring 1 5:07 - The real challenge after school: confidence 20:15 - Moving from techniques to principles 26:04 - Personal authenticity and professionalism 29:25 - Massage as kindness, respect, and genuine care 33:22 - Connecting purpose with professional practice 36:12 - Weekly podcast announcement 36:42 - Closing thoughts Offers Mentioned: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/class-bundle-page Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9 Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    The Career Lesson Massage School Didn't Teach Me

  8. Jun 23

    The Secret Behind a Full Massage Schedule

    Most massage therapists think a full schedule comes from better marketing, more social media, learning another technique, or somehow working harder than everyone else. But after more than 30 years as a massage therapist, educator, business coach, and practice owner, I've discovered something very different. The therapists who stay busy year after year aren't necessarily the most talented, the most experienced, or the most visible online. They simply understand a business principle that most massage therapists were never taught. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the three business systems that quietly drive every successful massage practice and explain why so many therapists feel stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what to do next. We'll explore: Why massage therapy is actually one of the simplest businesses to build once you understand the moving parts The three cycles every successful massage business depends on: referrals, repeat clientele, and revenue Why business growth often feels emotional and unpredictable The hidden difference between getting clients and keeping clients Why some therapists stay consistently busy for decades while others continually struggle to fill their schedules The mindset shift that can help you stop guessing and start growing with confidence Whether you're trying to attract more clients, improve retention, raise your prices, or simply create a business that feels more stable and sustainable, this episode will help you see your practice through a completely different lens. Because the secret to a full schedule isn't working harder. It's understanding the systems that make growth happen. TIMESTAMPS 00:37 Intro: why business feels hard and emotionally chaotic 2:04  Core idea: every business has a system/container 3:54  Comparison examples: bakery and retail boutique 5:22  Massage therapy is relationship-based, not inventory-based 6:18  The three cycles introduced: referrals, repeat clients, revenue 8:59  Common mistake: focusing too much on getting clients 11:17  Shift to mindset: stop asking “what’s wrong with me?” 12:38  Overcomplicating business instead of strengthening systems 16:24  Cycle 1 begins: referrals 21:36  Cycle 2 begins: repeat clientele 28:52  Cycle 3 begins: revenue 33:35  These cycles repeat at every business stage 37:41  Plateaus are transition, not failure 39:54  Different business stages need different support 41:20  Business growth is emotional, not just structural 44:07  Massage is selling an experience, not a physical product 46:55  Burnout warning and sustainability 48:52  Closing message: you’re probably doing better than you think 51:41  Final takeaway: identify which cycle needs attention next Offers Mentioned: https://www.amybradleyradford.com/class-bundle-page Coaching Request Form: https://forms.gle/9gy32gHhBE5zRHTb9 Website  https://amybradleyradford.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/amybradleyradford/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Amy-Bradley-Radford-Massage-Business-Coaching/61556419647184/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybradleyradford/

    The Secret Behind a Full Massage Schedule
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Massage. Business. Success podcast, hosted by Amy Bradley Radford, focuses on helping massage therapists grow their businesses and improve their skills. It covers topics such as marketing strategies, business management, client retention, and pain management techniques, providing practical advice and insights to help massage therapists succeed in their careers.

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