Finding My Ikigai as a Massage Therapist, AMTA Volunteer, and Continuing Education Provider

I didn’t discover ikigai—the Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being”—from a single moment of clarity. I found it gradually, over years of showing up: in the treatment room, volunteering with the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), and in classrooms filled with curious, committed massage therapists. I found it in the small, consistent acts of service that became the heartbeat of my professional life.

Ikigai lives at the intersection of four things: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. As a massage therapist, educator, and volunteer, I’ve realized that I’ve been building a life at that intersection all along.

What I Love

I love working with my hands, connecting with people on a level that goes beyond words. I love seeing someone’s shoulders drop an inch just from feeling safe. I love the moment a student lights up with new understanding. And I deeply love the sense of purpose that comes from serving others.

Whether I’m giving my time to AMTA, teaching a class at the studio, or simply listening to a colleague who needs support, these acts of service fill my heart. They remind me that love for this work isn’t abstract—it’s active. It’s the energy I give, freely and fully, because it matters.

What I’m Good At

Over time, I’ve developed more than just technique. I’ve become good at creating space—space for healing, learning, and growth. I’ve learned how to mentor with compassion, how to lead with humility, and how to teach in ways that meet people where they are.

Service has helped me sharpen these skills. Volunteering doesn’t just ask for what I already know—it invites me to stretch, to rise, and to learn by doing. I’ve become a better therapist, educator, and human through service to others.

What the World Needs

The world needs healing touch, genuine presence, and people who are willing to serve with no strings attached. It needs therapists who see the person beyond the tension. It needs teachers who hold space for growth, not just performance. And it needs leaders who give back, not just show up.

I believe acts of service are part of what make our profession so powerful. Whether it’s offering a sliding scale session, volunteering at a community wellness event, or advocating for better standards through AMTA, service is how we meet the world’s needs—with heart, humility, and hands-on care.

What I Can Be Paid For

Sustainable income is part of the equation too. I’ve learned that building a life around service doesn’t mean sacrificing financial well-being. In fact, the more aligned I become with my purpose, the more doors open—through teaching, mentoring, consulting, or creating continuing education courses.

Serving others doesn’t mean depleting yourself. It means finding the balance between giving and receiving. And when your career supports your life and your values, that’s a powerful form of sustainability.

Living My Ikigai

For me, ikigai shows up in the quiet moments: in a student’s thank-you note, in a successful AMTA event, in the way a client’s body softens with trust. It’s present in the hands-on work, the heady work of teaching, and the heart work of service.

I’m not perfect, and my path hasn’t always been clear—but I’ve come to understand that ikigai isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions and serving where I can.

Being a massage therapist, AMTA volunteer, and continuing education provider has given me countless opportunities to live that out. Each role feeds the others. Each act of service brings me closer to the life I want to lead.

This is my ikigai—and I’m grateful to keep discovering it, one meaningful act at a time.