ACM GRADUATE INTERVIEW - Olivia Saltmarsh

13/09/2010

Olivia Saltmarsh has switched careers from primary school teaching to become a Pregnancy Massage Specialist

What first interested you about Massage?

After 10 years of working as a primary school teacher and also working part-time as a fitness instructor I was feeling the need for a change of career. My husband has been working in the Massage Industry, as a therapist, for over 15 years and I was always interested in learning more about massage for myself.

I have been a regular receiver of massage from quite a young age as I have competed on the Australian professional athletics circuit since I was 15 years old. To help with rehabilitation and enhancing my athletic performance, my coaches would frequently organise massages for me or try their hand at it themselves - usually with the old school liniment rubs that I can still smell today! I still enjoy competing in athletic events; there is nothing that can compare with the excitement of the lead up and training for an event, and right through to competing, especially in major events such as the Burnie and Stawell Gift’s.

My interest in learning massage peaked when I fell pregnant with my first child. I spoke to my husband about it and being a graduate of ACM he straightaway recommended them and I enrolled into the Certificate IV via distance education.

How long have you been massaging?

1 year professionally.

What do you enjoy most about massaging?

"I enjoy the flexibility that massaging and owning a massage business brings."

My husband and I run our own clinic on the Gold Coast (Saltmarsh Solutions Clinic) and we have set up a crèche in the reception area. We invite all our clients who are mums, to bring their children along and we offer a free childminding service. It works in our daughter Aurora’s favour as she is very sociable and she enjoys having visitors and playtime with regular client’s children.

The thing that I absolutely enjoy most about massaging is treating pregnant women. Mainly because I feel that I am helping with two lives at the same time and also feel that I am offering relaxation and rejuvenation to women in a time of need.

After I had my first child I found that pre and post natal massage needed to be offered more freely to mums to be to able to relieve stress and to give the mothers the opportunity to return as quickly as possible to becoming physically active again.

This is one of my focuses for my development as a therapist, to learn as much as I can about massage and its use in pregnancy, pre, post and during. I endeavour to dedicate time to study in this area and offer full rounded packages to pregnant clients.

What was your experience at ACM like?

ACM has a fantastic support network in which I felt fully supported throughout my studies. I didn’t feel pressured at any time throughout the course from start to completion. As I studied by Distance Education I had full flexibility in choosing when and where I wanted to study.

I actually completed the course as per my own study plan. I chose to complete the theory subjects first whilst I was pregnant and then again when recovering from giving birth to my daughter. When I had fully recovered I turned my hand to the practical subjects and started learning the hands-on techniques.

I didn’t have the time to give up for a full time study load, so the fact that I could design my own was not only appealing but it was really the only option that I had.

How have your studies at ACM assisted preparing you for working in the massage industry?

"The professional approach that ACM displayed throughout every aspect of the course has taught me the highest possible standards set for the massage industry."

My husband has been exacting to these standards for years and I have continued to apply them to our clinic with great returns.

What advice would you give aspiring massage therapists?

Practice makes perfect! Also a passion for massaging is needed. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Two major highlights thus far.

The first highlight is having a “sunny sea” change from Tasmania to the Gold Coast. Like many southerners we have migrated north for the warmer climate and we have set up our new clinic just behind Movie World on the Gold Coast.

Secondly, it would be massaging one of my pregnant clients the night before she was due and she gave birth the next day. It was definitely a surreal feeling for all three of us.