Folding Towels - A Podcast for Massage Therapists with Jackie and David

In this episode, we speak with Andrea Pluck from Massage CPE about curiosity, clinical reasoning, lymphatics, continuing education, and the role massage therapists can play in building a stronger evidence base for the profession. Andrea shares how a serious car accident eventually led her into massage, and how her work grew into oncology massage, manual lymphatic drainage, decongestive lymphatic t...

What does it really take to go from treating clients in a suburban clinic to supporting athletes on the world stage? Recorded live at the 2026 Massage & Myotherapy Australia National Conference in Geelong, David sits down with Lily Chiu, an experienced myotherapist and remedial massage therapist whose career has spanned more than three decades across private practice, education, professional s...

Join us as Jackie and David reflect on the 2026 Massage & Myotherapy Australia National Conference in Geelong. This year's theme, Multidisciplinary Healthcare for Chronic Pain , brought together massage therapists, myotherapists, researchers, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals to explore where soft tissue therapy fits within modern pain care. We share our highlights fr...

What if some of the stories we’ve been told about massage therapy are incomplete… outdated… or just plain wrong? In this thought-provoking episode, David sits down with Paul Ingraham, former Registered Massage Therapist and founder of PainScience.com , for a wide-ranging conversation about pain science, manual therapy myths, fascia, trigger points, nocebo effects, clinical humility, and the comple...

In this episode, we’re joined by Aubrey Gowing to unpack one of the most challenging areas in clinical practice: chronic pain. Aubrey brings over 40 years of experience in massage education and clinical work to the conversation, sharing a clear and practical framework for understanding why chronic pain develops and what therapists can actually do about it. We explore the difference between acute a...

Massage and Myotherapy Australia 2026 Conference ⁠ When money gets tight, people don’t necessarily stop spending. They just become more thoughtful about where it goes. In this episode, Jackie and David chat about what it means to build a massage practice that people come back to, talk about, and choose to keep… even when things feel uncertain. We explore trust, consistency, being part of your loca...

Massage and Myotherapy Australia 2026 Conference We’re revisiting a conversation with Stuart Hinds, a soft tissue therapist with over 30 years’ clinical experience, including work across four Olympic Games and a Commonwealth Games. This is a practical conversation about staying in the profession. Stuart draws on his experience in clinic and education to unpack what wears therapists down over time....

Have you ever felt relieved when a client leaves? In this episode, David and Jackie tackle a topic many therapists avoid: when it’s time to let a client go. We unpack the behavioural red flags, the hidden cost of “just this once,” and how misaligned clients quietly drain your time, energy, and standards of care. This is a practical, honest conversation about boundaries, professionalism, and runnin...

Running a massage business isn’t just about what happens on the table. It’s everything behind the scenes that can trip you up. In this episode, we sit down with Oliver Garside, co-founder of Rounded, to talk about the real challenges sole traders face when it comes to finances, admin and tax. From messy spreadsheets and confusing software to cash flow surprises and BAS stress, Oliver shares practi...

In this episode, David and Jackie are joined by Coby du Preez , remedial massage therapist, clinic owner of Muscle Medicine Double Bay , and Independent Director on the board of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society. Coby shares his journey into massage therapy, beginning not in healthcare, but in the fast-paced world of professional kitchens. What followed was a shift toward work that felt...

Massage may feel like a modern wellness practice, but therapeutic touch has existed for thousands of years. In this episode, David and Jackie explore the history of bodywork across cultures - from ancient Egyptian carvings and Chinese medical texts to Ayurvedic oil massage, Roman bathhouses, and early European healing traditions. They discuss how massage became systemised through Swedish gymnastic...

No-shows still hurt. Late cancellations still cost you time, money, and energy. This week, David revisits one of the most practical episodes we’ve recorded – originally released in October 2023 – on non-attendance, cancellation policies, and charging fees. If you’re unsure whether you can enforce a fee… you can. If you’re worried what clients might think… clarity matters more than approval. If you...

In this episode, David and Jackie walk through a simple, practical way to write your personal plan for the year ahead. This is not about five-year forecasts or complicated spreadsheets. It is about deciding who you want to be, where you are now, and what you are willing to resource with time, money, and energy. We cover: Choosing identity before outcomes Being honest about your current reality Mak...

The start of a new year often comes with pressure to do more, grow faster, and fix everything at once. In this season opener of the Folding Towels Podcast, Jackie and David take a different approach. We talk about setting the tone for the year ahead, not through rigid goal setting, but through clarity, learning, and intentional decisions that support long-term practice sustainability. In this epis...

We wrap up the year with a fast, fun look back at our favourite moments, big laughs, unexpected lessons, and the episodes that made 2025 unforgettable. Join Jackie and David for a light, joyful finale as we celebrate the wins, thank our listeners, and share what’s coming next year. 👉 Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

December hits. Schedules implode. Clients shuffle like mad. And every therapist asks the same thing: should I just take a break? David and Jackie cut through the chaos with a fast, honest look at Tetris Month, why January goes flaky, and how to protect your sanity. Learn how to plan time off, set boundaries, manage client expectations, and actually return rested rather than wrecked. We chat about...

It’s December, the Facebook groups are buzzing, and massage therapists everywhere are asking the same question: Do I have to give my clients gifts? In this episode, Jackie and David dive straight into the holiday chaos and cut through the pressure, guilt, and mixed messages that show up every year. They explore why you never owe anyone a present, how to express genuine gratitude without turning Ch...

It’s that time of year: calendars are turning, and price changes are on the horizon. In this replay (Season 1, Episode 32) of one of our most practical episodes, David and Jackie break down exactly how to raise your massage prices - without guilt, anxiety, or losing clients. If you’ve ever typed out an apology post or stressed about charging your worth, this episode is for you. Your business needs...

Most massage therapists don’t last long in the industry—five to seven years is common. But what if you want a career that spans decades? In this episode, David and Jackie unpack the secrets to a long and happy life in massage therapy. From avoiding burnout and injury to charging well, finding your niche, and holding boundaries, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to keep loving the work for...

The question that keeps coming up in massage therapy circles: Will massage and myotherapy in Australia ever be recognised as allied health? David and Jackie unpack the context and complexities behind professional recognition. They explore what “allied health” really means, the function of AHPRA, and why massage therapists sit in a uniquely funny grey area. Here is that video of flaming massage: ht...

Recorded live at the Melbourne Institute of Massage and Myotherapy Soft Tissue Congress 2025. David and Jackie share their insights from a day surrounded by passionate therapists and educators. Sarah Nehme from BFT redefines how we use exercise prescription to approach pain and progression. Elicia Crook from Health Leader Co brought her energy to marketing and business strategy, showing how simple...

Not every session goes to plan. Sometimes, even when you think you’ve done everything right, a client walks away disappointed—and lets you know it. In this episode, Jackie shares a recent experience that rattled her confidence, and David opens up about moments he’s missed the mark too. Together, they unpack how client expectations get misaligned, why intake forms matter more than you think, and wh...

Policies and paperwork might not sound exciting, but they’re what keep your massage business safe, professional, and stress-free. In this episode, David and Jackie talk with Chantel Ryan , founder of Legally Healthy and former business lawyer turned naturopath, about the five essential policies every health practitioner needs, the legal blind spots therapists often miss, and why good documents pro...

What exactly is a vibe —and how do therapists use it every day? In this conversation, philosopher, author and teacher Jason Del Gandio explains his 30-year exploration of vibes, which he describes as “bodily emanation” —the energy we project and perceive. We dig into first impressions, setting therapeutic atmosphere, regulating your own state, shielding from “bad vibes,” and how to practise vibe a...

Massage therapist, teacher, writer and editor David Lobenstine shares how leaving New York—and choosing to commute back for three long clinic days every fortnight—reshaped his work and made sustainable technique non-negotiable. We dig into Tai Chi-inspired mechanics (“pour, don’t push”), why body–brain–breath is the antidote to fatigue, and how gentle detachment lets change emerge without forcing...