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

In this episode of Folding Towels , Jackie and David sit down with Kylie Bradley , a massage therapist who made the bold move to niche her practice into lymphatic drainage . Kylie shares her journey from a general remedial practice to a specialist clinic, the challenges and rewards of focusing on a niche, and how her business has flourished. She also discusses the impact of lymphatic work, post-su...

In this episode of Folding Towels , Jackie and David tackle one of the biggest conversations happening in the massage industry right now— how do we build trust, improve public perception, and enhance client safety without waiting for external regulation? Following recent discussions about unethical behaviour in the profession, we explore practical steps every therapist can take to strengthen our i...

Sometimes massage therapists do bad things and sometimes those things are very bad. Massage Therapy is a beautiful profession, but we are not immune from people using their position of power and trust for the bad. David and Jackie discuss the one thing we must hold as sacred in the massage industry: trust and safety. Following a recent high-profile case in South Australia, we discuss what went wro...

The new year is here, and it’s time to set yourself up for success! In this episode, Jackie and David guide you through setting personal, professional, and business goals that will shape your year in a way that feels exciting and achievable. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Personal goals – What do you really want to do this year? Travel? More time with family? A fitness challenge? ✅ Professiona...

Join Jackie and David as we let our hair down and blow off some steam about the chaos and joy of "this time of the year", while looking back on an incredible 2024. We have brought you 43 episodes including 14 guests who have shared their stories, experience and passion for the industry with you. Did you have a favourite guest this year? We thought they were all amazing! With heartfelt thanks to li...

In this episode, we dive straight into the questions you’ve been asking. From the logistics of overseas training to the nitty-gritty of taxation and bookkeeping, we tackle the practical challenges faced by massage therapists. We share plans for a new finance-focused series featuring experts, offering the tools you need to manage your business confidently. We also discuss the industry-wide debate a...

In this episode of  The Folding Towels Podcast , Jackie and David dive into the sometimes divisive topic of selling products in your massage clinic. Do you need to sell products? Not at all. But for therapists who choose to, selling the right products can boost income without the physical strain of more massage sessions. They explore the importance of aligning products with your clinic’s values an...

Feeling the weight of the year as December looms? You’re not alone! In this episode, we dive into the chaos, exhaustion, and all-too-familiar "blah" vibes that hit hard at the end of the year. David and Jackie get real about navigating burnout, from managing financial pressures to dealing with compassion fatigue and those pesky energy vampires in your schedule. We share tips on scheduling meaningf...

In this enlightening episode of the Folding Towels Podcast, Jackie and David dive deep into the world of massage therapy research with three inspiring guest speakers: Ronna Moore, Dr. Jan Douglass, and Dr. Sarah Fogarty. Together, they discuss how therapists can engage with research, the value of case studies, the limitations of traditional research paradigms, and the growing recognition of massag...

In this episode, David and Jackie dive into the complex topic of discounting for massage therapists, discussing when it makes sense and how to avoid undervaluing your services. They share practical strategies, like referral discounts, loyalty programs, and limited-time promotions, to attract clients without compromising your worth. David recounts real-life examples where thoughtful discounting hel...

Jackie and David dive into the realities of working as a massage therapist while pregnant. Drawing on Jackie’s personal experiences and David’s insights, they explore the unique challenges pregnancy brings to the profession, from managing morning sickness and adapting work routines to handling client communication and planning maternity leave. Did you know that Jackie was still massaging even in t...

David and Jackie sit down with Charlotte Keane and Paul Averill, non-executive directors of Massage Myotherapy Australia, to discuss the Certified Practitioner program . This certification, designed to ISO9001 standards, aims to bring consistency and professionalism to massage therapy in Australia by establishing a clear standard for qualified practitioners. In the wake of industry changes and pub...

Jackie and David reconnect with Ronna Moore to explore the profound impact of palliative massage. Ronna shares her extensive experience working in palliative care, discussing the importance of addressing not just physical symptoms but also the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of clients. She delves into the misconceptions around end-of-life care, the unique challenges therapists face,...

Jackie and David sit down with Randall Cooper, a renowned sports physiotherapist and founder of Premax and Learn. Physio. Randall shares his unique journey, starting with an ACL injury at 16, which led him to a lifelong passion for physiotherapy. He discusses the importance of building a personal brand in the health and wellness industry and why creating an “end-to-end” client experience is crucia...

In this episode Jackie and David dive into how we’re each planning for the year ahead, both in our businesses and personal lives. David talks about his need for structure – how he plans holidays, blocks out family time, and makes sure important dates are locked in early so he can be fully present. Jackie shares her more flexible approach to scheduling and how she balances the unpredictability of l...

David and Jackie are joined by Carolyn Boldt, an expert in interior design for health clinics and co-founder of Crossfields, a design build firm in Atlanta. Carolyn shares how the design and layout of a massage space can directly influence client experiences and the success of your practice. From lighting and artwork to creating a welcoming atmosphere in limited spaces like a home office or shared...

In this episode of Folding Towels , Jackie and David chat with Ronna Moore, a massage therapist and researcher in Melbourne, Australia. What started out as curiosity in 1982, Ronna shares how she developed her passion for manual lymphatic drainage and oncology massage over a 40-year career. As an advocate for publicly accessible massage in cancer care, Ronna explains the barriers she’s worked to o...

As the holiday season approaches, many clients start asking about gift vouchers—are you ready? In this episode, Jackie and David take a deep dive into the surprisingly complex world of gift vouchers. From understanding Australia's mandatory three-year expiry law to managing low redemption rates, they break down the essential things you need to know to run a smooth and compliant gift voucher system...

While Jackie and David take a little break this week, we've reached deep into the linen cupboard and airing out one of our most timely episodes from last year— Navigating the Holiday Season: Managing Your Schedule Like a Pro . With Christmas just around the corner, this episode is packed with tips and advice on how to handle the end-of-year chaos without losing your cool. From managing your &#...

Join David as he chats with Garry Lavis, the National President of Massage & Myotherapy Australia. With over 23 years of experience, Garry’s journey from a diesel mechanic to an expert in massage therapy. Like most of us, much of Garry's work revolves around working with people with muscular skeletal needs - mostly tradies. However, Garry has developed a deep love for working with clients...

So you're busy enough for two people, or you've got some spare space, or maybe you're ready to grow your dream clinic to be a bustling multi-practitioner clinic. But you don't know where to start, or you're frozen because the thought of doing that is just overwhelming. Join Jackie and David is they chat with Norelle Pratt from HR for Health Leaders, a specialty HR Consultant fr...

Draping. The ancient art covering clients with towels and other linen to ensure modesty and comfort. Nodding your head in agreement? You'd be surprised just how many massage therapist don't know how to drape, or why they SHOULD drape. Today Jackie and David focus on a fundamental aspect of massage therapy: draping. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, effective dra...

Jackie and David went to a conference. Yah! Of course you already knew that, because we told you about it it every chance we got. So what was it like? Conferences in any profession are a chance to learn - that's why you go to them. But they are just as importantly a place to form friends and build collegiate spirit. You know, make friends with other people who are on a similar journey to you....

In Part 2 of our budgeting for massage therapists episode Jackie and David unpack the nitty-gritty of financial management for massage therapists. You might have heard business gurus throwing around the term "six figures" when talking about success, but bringing in $100,000 to your business isn't as daunting as it seems (you just don't get to keep it all). But you can keep more b...

Ding dong, it's July and the start of a new financial year, at least in Australia it is. Today, Jackie and David dive into budgeting tips for massage therapists. We talk about how to set a basic budget so that you can properly plan for your year (and plan for the unexpected), paying yourself a living wage, and prioritising your income. Discover the key items to include in your budget, the disc...