Graduate Spotlight April 2016 Michelle Baker

Housed on the banks of the Powwow River in the quaint town of Amesbury is Guaranteed Fitness & Bodyworks. Michelle Baker, a vivacious, energetic Spa Tech Institute graduate, is the owner where she is a personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. Michelle began her career 25 years ago offering personal fitness training

and always wanted to incorporate massage therapy into her practice. She knew the benefits massage would offer to her clients who ranged from post rehab to those who were simply working on strengthening and conditioning their bodies. Michelle feels everyone should dedicate themselves to regular massage and spiritual health.

In the early years Michelle studied somatic psychology which is the understanding of illness and how it manifests in the human body. In 2013 Michelle made the commitment to obtain her massage therapy training. She ran her personal training business during the day, attended classes three nights a week all the while raising her then five year old son Lucas. It was a lot of juggling and sacrifice but according to Michelle “Spa Tech Institute was always helpful, fun and supportive. I had a wonderful all around experience”. She graduated in March of 2014 and became licensed shortly thereafter. She has maintained the friendships she made with her classmates and added that she “learned little tidbits from the teachers’ experience in the massage industry” that she continues to put to use today in her own practice.

Michelle currently shares space with fellow Spa Tech Institute grad Tami Elwell who practices polarity part time. Michelle is continuing her education by enrolling in Spa Tech Institute’s Level 1 Polarity program in May.

Michelle has always worked for herself and “loves her job”. When asked what advice she would give to a prospective student she says that it is a lot of work to own your own space but is well worth it. She began marketing herself while still in school and states that over 30% of her early massage clients still come to her for regular massages. She stresses that a student should “listen, enjoy and learn” from the great teachers at Spa Tech Institute.

Michelle is now contemplating a bigger space and receives great support and advice from Spa Tech Institute President, Kris Stecker. He is “totally supportive and knows his stuff when it comes to business”. Michelle currently divides her time between massage and personal training and is grateful for a full and rewarding schedule.

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