Is your diary looking a little empty? You’re not alone. In this episode, Jackie and David talk about how to handle those quieter patches in your massage business—without spiralling into panic or bingeing cat reels (well… maybe a few).
We chat about low-cost, practical ideas to reengage past clients, using your time wisely, and staying visible even when bookings slow down. From simple marketing tweaks to making admin time work for you, this episode is full of honest advice, encouragement, and a few laughs.
It’s a gentle nudge to stay steady and keep showing up—because quiet times don’t last forever.
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
In this episode, Jackie and David chat with Melissa Woodward, from Fearless Health in Dubbo, regional New South Wales. You're going to want to grab your notebook and pencil for this one because Mel's story is one of heart, grit, and just getting on with it.
From flipping burgers as a quiet teenager, working with footy players, cutting her teeth in allied health to starting a practice, growing it, working with her husband, closing the business due to COVID, reopening, relocating 5 hours away, getting started again and growing one more (phew!)
Mel reflects emotionally on what it is like to make tough decisions, and the steps and mindset that it takes to be visible in a small town, and why being fearless doesn’t mean being unafraid.
If you’ve ever juggled motherhood, business, and big decisions, this chat will speak right to you.
Connect with Mel
🌐https://www.fearlesshealth.com.au/
📷 Instagram: @melissa.fearlesshealth📘 Facebook: Fearless Health Dubbo💡 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on Facebook and on Instagram
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Anna Mitchell from That Accounting Stuff joins Jackie and David for an honest, practical, and surprisingly fun conversation about accounting for massage therapists.
From the shock of overdue tax returns to finding confidence with money, Anna shares how she went from massage therapist to accountant to online educator. Her mission? Helping sole traders get on top of their numbers without the fear or confusion.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by bookkeeping, BAS, or budgeting, this episode is for you. Explore Anna’s courses at: thataccountingstuff.mailerpage.io/courses
🎧 Visit foldingtowelspodcast.com.au for more.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
We’ve made it to 100 episodes!
To celebrate, we asked massage therapists from across the industry to share their funniest, quirkiest, and most heart-warming stories from the treatment room. From accidental client mix-ups to unexpected animal guests, tattoo surprises, and the occasional... moaning Mark, this special episode is full of laughter and love for the profession.
Join Jackie and David as we reflect on our podcast journey, thank supporters, and share your hilarious submissions. It’s light-hearted, genuine, and a little bit cheeky—just the way we like it.
Thanks for sticking with us. Here's to the next 100! 🎙️💆♀️💬
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🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
You've heard of ROCKTAPE right? You probably have a box at home or on your shelf at work. And you’d be forgiven for thinking that the ROCKTAPE Australian distributor was a faceless global giant. Except that they’re not!
In Episode 99, Jackie and David sit down with Tony Stahl, head of education and a Director of ROCKTAPE AUSTRALIA who shares his journey from sports trainer to an accountant in big business to bringing ROCKTAPE to Australia.
Tony and his wife job shared in an accounting firm while they raised their kids. While thinking about making some changes to his work life, Tony was introduced to the ROCKTAPE founder through a mutual friend. What started out as an opportunity to make a little extra cash to pay for a nice holiday each year, ROCKTAPE quickly became his full time passion.
Tony talks candidly about starting ROCKTAPE with two business partners, including his brother Steve (now sadly passed), delivering quality education in Australia and some of the chances he's taken with the business.
It has evolved into a widely recognised brand, stocked nationally, yet the small team at ROCKTAPE remain dedicated to exceptional customer service (try calling them at 4pm on a Friday!).
Tony highlights the importance of providing quality education to therapists across Australia, particularly in regional areas.
👉 10% off your next online purchase at https://rocktape.com.au/ of ROCK products OR Education using the code Folding Towels at the check out (valid until 31 December 2025).
👉 RockTape and RockBlades complimentary online introduction - http://rocktape-online.teachable.com/
👉 RockTape face-to-face courses - https://shop.rocktape.com.au/education/rocktape-introduction/
👉 Therapy Tools for Soft Tissue Treatment courses -https://shop.rocktape.com.au/education/rocktape-soft-tissue-course/
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🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Jackie reviews Palliative Touch: Massage for People at the End of Life by Cynthia Heap Spence - a compassionate and accessible book that provides massage therapists with practical strategies and heartfelt insights for supporting clients through palliative and end-of-life care.
If you are interested in working with oncology patients, elderly clients, or hospice care, then this book provides case studies, complementary therapy advice, and gentle wisdom about embracing empathy and inclusion at life’s most sensitive moments.
🎧 Visit foldingtowelspodcast.com.au for more.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
💡 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on Facebook and on Instagram
👉 Support the podcast: [buymeacoffee.com/foldingtowelspodcast]
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Jackie and David reflect on their massage therapy journeys—sharing the biggest lessons they’d do differently if they had a time machine.
From finding a niche and setting boundaries to outsourcing, self-care, and backing ourselves earlier, we unpack the wins, mistakes, and lessons learned for building a sustainable, enjoyable career in massage.
Whether you’re new or experienced, this episode is packed with relatable stories and advice to help you skip some of the headaches.
Check out episode 305: Massage Business Blueprint - Ignore the Gurus and Just give a F*cking Massage
🎧 Visit foldingtowelspodcast.com.au for more.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
💡 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on Facebook and on Instagram
👉 Support the podcast: [buymeacoffee.com/foldingtowelspodcast]
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Join with Jackie and David as they dive into the essential, unexciting and often overlooked skill of effective note-taking for massage therapists.
Learn how structured, consistent record-keeping can protect you, support client care, and streamline your practice.
We cover:
Client Communication: How to ask the right questions to gather relevant health information.
Observation and Documentation: Key details to include in your notes to track client progress and treatment efficacy.
Consistent Structure: Using frameworks like SOAP and ASTER to maintain clear, useful records.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: What you need to know about data protection, privacy, and client rights.
Referral and Follow-Up: How to use your notes to guide recommendations and ensure continuity of care.
Keeping client records and note-taking doesn’t have to be complicated — just consistent. Doing so not only protects you and your client but also elevates the level of care you provide.
Check out:
Episode 030 - Why Asking The Right Questions Makes You A Better Therapist
Episode 092:
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🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
You’ve completed the course — now how do you integrate those new techniques into your treatments effectively?
In this episode, Jackie and David outline practical steps to confidently implement new massage skills without feeling overwhelmed. We cover:
Choosing the Right Clients: Identifying ideal clients to practise new techniques on and build confidence.
Communicating the Change: Introducing new treatments to existing clients without disrupting their usual routine.
Making It Stick: Strategies for practising and refining your skills to ensure your investment in education pays off.
Whether you’re adding a few extra techniques or diving into something new like cupping, buccal massage, or acupressure, we’re sharing solid strategies for making your training work for you.
🎧 Visit foldingtowelspodcast.com.au for more.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
💡 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on Facebook and on Instagram
👉 Support the podcast: [buymeacoffee.com/foldingtowelspodcast]
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
How do you stay in the massage industry for 30 years and still love what you do? Gael Wood shares her journey from a 19-year-old therapist struggling to find clients to becoming a marketing mentor and industry educator.
In this episode, Gael dives into her biggest mistakes, the marketing strategies that still work today, and how she’s helping therapists thrive through her online courses and summits.
Whether you're looking to build a sustainable practice, diversify income streams, or just stay motivated, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.
Check out Gael’s resources:
🌐 Website: Elevate with Gael
🎙️ Podcast: Massage & Spa Success
📅 2025 Global Wellness Professionals Marketing Summit: Join the Summit
🎧 Visit foldingtowelspodcast.com.au for more.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Jackie and David chat with Kevin Xiao CEO of Melbourne Institute of Massage and Myotherapy (MIMT) for a grounded and insightful chat about the realities of massage education in Australia.
Kevin talks about how accredited training is regulated, what’s in the national training package, and how RTOs like MIMT build on the foundations to better prepare students for practice.
We talk about the value of real clinical experience, upskilling through short courses, and why many therapists return to study after entering the workforce.
Kevin also reflects on the business challenges new therapists face, the need for stronger recognition of massage in health care, and why staying connected to your peers and your purpose really matters.
It’s a thoughtful, practical conversation for anyone in the massage profession.
👉Learn more about Melbourne Institute of Massage and Myotherapy: https://mimt.edu.au/👉Follow MIMT of Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melbourneinstituteofmassage/
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🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
💡 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on Facebook and on Instagram
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
In this essential conversation, Ann Davey, CEO of Massage & Myotherapy Australia, joins Jackie and David to explore professionalism, ethics, and the complaint process in massage therapy.
Learn what self-regulation really means, how therapists can protect themselves and their clients, why strong clinic notes matter, and how even small slip-ups can impact your career. If you’re committed to raising your standards and safeguarding your practice, don’t miss this episode.
📙 Safety & Solicitation - Power Dynamics and Gaslighting - https://www.massagemyotherapy.com.au/GetThis/SafetySolicitation
🔗 Book - A Bodyworker's Guide to Safety & Solicitation: A look into power dynamics and gaslighting - https://amzn.asia/d/5qashba
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🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
In this replay episode, we revisit a standout conversation with Kylie Hicks from March 2024 — a must-listen for anyone working with chronic pain clients.
Kylie shares her unique, empathetic approach to treating pain — not just physical pain, but the emotional and nervous system loops that often underpin it. We explore the importance of being hands-on, especially for clients who’ve never been touched by their medical teams, and the power of long-term care plans tailored to each individual.
Kylie also unpacks how she combines bodywork with tools like NLP to gently shift emotional patterns and help clients stuck in long-term pain cycles find relief.
Whether you’re a seasoned therapist or just starting out, this episode is full of practical insights and golden takeaways.
💡Learn more at kyliehickscoaching.com.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
What does the research say about surviving a zombie apocalypse? Is a business coach the missing piece in your massage therapy journey?
In this episode, Jackie and David unpack whether a wooden stake or a silver bullet might stop a zombie …. what business coaching is (and what it isn’t), how it differs from mentoring, and how to know if it's the right move for your stage of practice.
There are so many options around - some who might cost a lot of money. There are coaches for solo practices through to empire builders. We explore why personality fit, communication style, and aligned values are critical to success.
We also cover the realities of money—what coaching might cost, what kind of return you can expect, and how to avoid common traps, like investing in coaching when you’re not ready to take action.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this episode will help you understand what to look for in a business coach and how to get the most value from the relationship.
💡 Real talk, practical steps, and no zombie apocalypses (well, maybe a little).
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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👉 Support the podcast: [buymeacoffee.com/foldingtowelspodcast]
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Mentoring can change everything. In this episode, Jackie and David unpack the role of mentorship in a massage therapist’s career — and why you should have one.
We explore what makes a great mentor, how it differs from coaching, where to find mentors, and how to get the most out of the relationship.
Whether you're fresh out of massage school or years into your career, a mentor can help you grow your skills, stay inspired, and avoid burnout.
Plus, we share some heartfelt personal stories and real talk on learning, trust, and investing in yourself.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Are you still treating “everyone” — or are you ready to find your niche?
Niching in massage therapy isn’t just about marketing — it’s about building a more fulfilling, sustainable practice. In this episode, Jackie and David explore five unique niches that massage therapists might be overlooking, from working with diverse language communities and people with sensory processing needs to voice and swallowing disorders, corporate massage, and fertility work.
They share real-world stories, personal reflections, and practical tips on how to align your work with your passions — and attract clients who truly value what you offer. Whether you’ve already found your niche or you’re still figuring it out, this episode will inspire you to think more creatively and confidently about the clients you love to work with — and the difference you want to make.
Tune in and discover new ideas, a fresh perspective, and maybe even your next professional pivot.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
David chats with Mandy Bartovolich, the first paediatric oncology massage therapist at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mandy shares her incredible work with children and young adults undergoing cancer treatment and blood disorder management, and how as a massage therapist she woks alongside doctors as an integral part of the health care team.
We explore the role of massage therapy in reducing pain, stress, and anxiety, the role of human touch and humanity and how care towards the child is combined with care for the adult too, who also benefits from compassionate touch.
Mandy has contributed to research with a paper published in 2023, and she shares how a child whom she cared for is now a doctor in New York, and is now embracing massage in her own hospital for paediatric care.
This episode is a heartfelt look into how human touch has a role in far more than just sore and tired muscles, but using multi-disciplinary bodywork principles can provide effective medical care in one of the most challenging environments.
Connect with Mandy: Mandy.Bartolovich@UHhospitals.org
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
Starting from scratch as a massage therapist can feel overwhelming, but what if you had a roadmap?
In this episode, David shares the 10 proven strategies that helped him build a thriving client base—starting from a side hustle to a fully booked massage practice. From letterbox drops and blogging to networking, referral partners, and client follow-ups, these are the real, practical steps that made all the difference.
If you're struggling to attract more clients, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build your business the right way.
🎧 Listen now and take your massage practice to the next level!
💡 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on Facebook and on Instagram
👉 Support the podcast: [buymeacoffee.com/foldingtowelspodcast]
👉 More episodes & resources: [foldingtowelspodcast.com.au]
Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
In this episode of Folding Towels, Jackie and David sit down with Kylie Bradley, a massage therapist who made the bold move to niche her practice into lymphatic drainage. Kylie shares her journey from a general remedial practice to a specialist clinic, the challenges and rewards of focusing on a niche, and how her business has flourished. She also discusses the impact of lymphatic work, post-surgical recovery, and the growing awareness around lipoedema and lymphedema. If you’re considering niching your massage business but feel hesitant, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration!
🎧 Tune in now!
💡 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on Facebook and on Instagram
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👉 More episodes & resources: [foldingtowelspodcast.com.au]
Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
In this episode of Folding Towels, Jackie and David tackle one of the biggest conversations happening in the massage industry right now—how do we build trust, improve public perception, and enhance client safety without waiting for external regulation?
Following recent discussions about unethical behaviour in the profession, we explore practical steps every therapist can take to strengthen our industry. From building public trust, improving client safety, and using social media strategically, to leveraging association resources and advocating for professional awareness—we’re diving deep into what we can control.
If you’re a massage therapist wondering how to navigate these challenges, this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!
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👉 Support the podcast: [buymeacoffee.com/foldingtowelspodcast]
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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc
