ACM GRADUATE INTERVIEW - Andy Sattler

05/09/2011

Andy moved from engineering to find his niche running his own massage business

What first interested you about massage?

I first became interested in massage when my wife decided to resurrect her soccer career. I was looking for a lifestyle change after 20 odd years in engineering was starting to take its toll!  I wanted to help her manage her fitness and tried the Introductory Massage Course with ACM and was hooked.

How long have you been massaging?

I’ve been massaging now for about 3 years – I run my own business from home, where we have converted a study into a massage studio.  I work closely with a local medical centre, where doctors will refer patients with muscular dysfunction on to me for treatment.  I also work with a local netball club where I am the primary carer for their A and B grade teams.  This involves dealing with a variety of injuries and I have the opportunity to utilise my sports massage training to good effect trying to prevent injuries from occurring.  Supporting a sporting club is a great way to get involved with the community and is very rewarding.

What do you enjoy most about massaging?

"I find giving and receiving massage is so fulfilling – to have a client become free from pain and discomfort they may have been feeling for a long time is great."

  I like the contrast between the different modalities of relaxation, remedial and sports with the different focus and outcomes gives that real variety to treatment.  The lifestyle change that massage has allowed me to gain is fantastic.

What was your experience at ACM like?

The ACM experience was superb.  I took the weekend courses as I was working full time in engineering whilst completing my studies.  I found the balance between the practical subjects and the theory components really worked well, with the theory underpinning the hands on techniques we were learning.  It was great to receive massages during the course too!

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

ACM’s core principles of care and respect have certainly prepared me well for the industry. The draping protocols that are a key aspect to the ACM philosophy really sets the clients at ease and gives them the confidence that they are going to be well cared for during treatments.

What advice would you give aspiring massage therapists?

Keep at it! Massaging is a practical skill, so get plenty of practice during the course. Believe in yourself and you’ll achieve your goals.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

There have been many highlights so far – participating in the massage en masse world record for the most therapists performing a massage at once in Daylesford, working with elite athletes at the Victorian Championships, giving seated massage with 50 other therapists in Federation Square to name but a few. 

"The biggest highlight though is the satisfaction of being able to help people in a real and practical way to improve their lives."