Meet our CRSMT graduate, Jaelyn. She completed the massage therapy program here in Costa Rica in November of 2018 and has since been working in the massage field specializing in sports. Her passion for the massage therapy field and sports, along her bubbly personality have played an imperative role in her success and she has shared some inspiration here for anyone considering joining the field.
WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE MASSAGE?
What stood out to you about CRSMT above all the other massage schools?
CRSMT stood out because of the location, DUH! I always say that I was born in the wrong country, speaking the wrong language, so any excuse to go back and spend time in Latin America is a good one. Also, the accelerated program was very intriguing to me, as I was in a place in life where I was very ready to make a big jump and this jump had a fairly quick turnaround.
Are you working in the massage therapy field? If so, what are you doing?
I am working as a massage therapist and I specialize in sports, IASTM, and deep tissue. I work out of two CrossFit gyms, so I work on athletes of all levels. I am also a personal trainer and massage has helped with that as well. I get to work with people and fix their dysfunctional and painful patters to get them moving better and lifting more! I wouldn’t change it for anything. I truly love what I do.
What was your favorite part about studying massage therapy abroad?
I tell everyone who asks me about CRSMT, “If I am going to be stressed, it might as well be on a beach”. That beach provided so much tranquility and peace of mind. It was the start and the end to my day; it held me together. Then, my classmates and my classmates that loved the beach. Those people became my family and they got me through everything. My biggest cheerleaders – my fellow beach runners and wave jumpers.
What was your proudest moment at CRSMT?
My proudest moment at CRSMT was sitting at graduation, looking around me, and getting my certification. I freaking did it! Things were tough, classes moved fast, I was learning more than I ever thought I was capable of. I was vulnerable and asked for help when I needed it. I gave every class my all, and it paid off. The best part? I did it with the coolest group of humans I have ever met, students and instructors.
Any advice you would share with someone considering massage therapy as their career?
My advice would be . . . be ready to work hard; be ready to take care of so many bodies, but most importantly, your own; be ready to start something new and invest in a career that may be seen as the underdog, when in reality it is one of the most powerful therapies out there; be ready to never stop learning, and be ready to grow.
The massage therapy program here at CRSMT has opened so many opportunities for hundreds of people like Jaelyn. Are you ready to see where it can take you?
The Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy is the world’s premier study abroad program for massage therapy. We offer both a 600 hour and a 700 hour COMTA Accredited Massage Therapy course which satisfies the licensing requirements for massage therapy in most of the United States. Additionally, we offer continuing education for massage therapists.
