It’s kind of hard to fathom, really, the distance of time, the increments of experiences which measure out the length of twenty years.
I was pondering that when it was my time to collect my “20 year pin” with a few other colleagues at this years’ Massage Therapist Association of B.C’s Annual General Meeting back in April.
Existential angst aside, (jk!) I have to admit I feel like I have chosen a career path that has helped me nurture myself as I help others. It’s empowering to acquire knowledge of how our bodies’ function, what happens when they’re not functioning, and how to help them find equilibrium again. This knowledge is an ongoing quest which I embarked upon two decades ago at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, at it’s former location at the Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver.
Over the years, I’ve lived in various places in the Greater Vancouver Area but have always had my practice in Richmond. We have a great community here and it’s been amazing getting to know some of it;s people as my clients, some of whom have stuck with me through thick and thin, and I thank you!
Richmond has really grown up, and upwards. Boy, has the skyline changed a lot since I was a kid! I now live pretty close to Minoru Park, which is perfect for strolling around and feeding the ducks, or biking or jogging through when I head to the West Dyke Trail. From there, across the arm of the Fraser is the airport, conveniently close for when I need to get away.
I love travelling, so I’ve often signed up for continuing education classes abroad, Mostly, by attending the Barral Visceral Manipulation courses in places like Hawaii and San Francisco, Toronto, and even Albuquerque, New Mexico. My dream is to one day go to Vicenza, Italy to take the Stecco Fascial Manipulation level three.
I’ve been at Brio now for nearly four years, wow! does the time fly. I love how this clinic is patient focused within an holistic framework. We often cross-refer clients to enable the best possible health outcomes with them in mind.
Four years on and I can say I’m happy to have joined the Brio Integrative Health family!
Linda McLaren, RMT
