Jesse is an athlete, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society, and plays roller derby. Having sustained multiple injuries as an athlete, Jesse knows the importance of physical therapy and massage therapy. Both a mother and wife, she highly values family. Jesse teaches at the ASIS campus in Prescott and also assists prospective students during the admissions process.
How long have you been practicing massage therapy?
I have been practicing massage my entire life. I was that little girl that wanted to give everyone a foot massage or shoulder massage.
What is your favorite modality to teach?
Shiatsu.
What would you tell someone who is considering massage therapy school?
Massage is the one thing we all have in common. Touch is the first thing you need when you are born. Touch gets those neurons firing. If you fast forward to the end of life, and if you have the chance to say goodbye to your family, the one thing you want is touch—you want your hand held.
What is one thing you wish you had known before you became a massage therapist?
How much I would learn about myself in the process.
Name one person who has had an impact on your life and explain why:
One person who has changed my life is my first born child, Raina. Being a mom has shifted everything inside me. Seeing your heart outside your chest walking around, changes how I have seen every human on this planet. We are all someone’s baby.
What is your favorite thing about teaching and why?
The human connection and sitting in circle.
Vacation…beach, woods, desert, or mountains?
All!
Favorite meal?
My favorite meal is anything that includes mashed potatoes.
Favorite quote?
I don’t have a favorite quote.
Describe your most significant interaction with a client or student:
My most significant interaction with a client is when I had an elder man on my table and he grabbed my hand with tears in his eyes and said, “Thank you.” He could not remember the last time he had safe touch. His wife had since passed, as well as his children. I took his hand and said, “Thank you.” He said, “No, thank you!” It was in that moment I realized that the kind of client I want in my practice is one that is thankful. I thought I was going to school to be a sports massage therapist. In that moment I realized that what I needed was different and I had a shift in consciousness.