Today we’d like to introduce you to Cameron Stodghill.
Hi Cameron, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Massage therapy had been in the back of my mind since I graduated high school in 2011. After spending ten years in customer service and retail, I was ready for a real and meaningful career. One that not only fulfilled myself but others as well. I then started massage school in October 2021 and became a Licensed Massage Therapist in August 2022. Originally, I thought I would just work at a spa doing massages, but life decided to take me in a slightly different route because, from the start, I’ve worked on my own with taking my own clients privately. I have also found a passion for teaching because when I graduated, my school hired me on as a teacher’s assistant and tutor for the Swedish Massage class, where I help students learn and perfect their techniques. Over the last year with countless hours of massaging clients, as well as being a teacher’s assistant and tutor, I’ve worked my way up to become a Licensed Massage Therapy Instructor.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would say that one of the “struggles” I’ve had along the way is simply educating people that trans people belong in massage therapy, both as therapists and clients.
Before I transitioned, I was getting a massage every month for maintenance. However, when I came out as trans, and my appearance started to change, I wasn’t comfortable being on a massage table with the fear of how I would be perceived by the therapist working on me. After two years of not receiving massages and as I was preparing for top surgery, I knew I needed a session or two to get my muscles right. Thankfully, I was able to find a massage therapist who’s an ally of the trans community, and after having two sessions with her that’s when I knew I wanted to go into the massage therapy field and be an advocate for trans people to receive safe and positive bodywork.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in therapeutic massages to improve the quality of my clients’ muscles, as well as to work out those stubborn knots and tension. I’m known for my deep tissue sessions, where I not only use my hands to work on my clients but I also utilize massage tools like Cupping and Gua Sha (muscle scraping).
I think what sets me apart from your standard massage therapist is that I leave all of my clients with maintenance homework so they can continue to improve their problem areas in between sessions.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Being personable with each of my clients and really listening to them with what their specific needs are is a very important factor in my practice. My clients know that my space is a safe space, and I want them to receive the massage that they want, and that means open communication. When I used to get massages back in the day, I never felt that I could speak up to the therapist because “they’re the professional and know what’s best.”… I always empower and encourage my clients to tell me how I can adjust the session to their liking whether it’s the pressure I’m applying, music that’s playing, or even if they don’t want a specific area worked on.
Pricing:
- Relaxing Massage: $60-$120
- Therapeutic Massage: $80-$160
- Cupping & Gua Sha: $10-$20 add on
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @cams_hands_lmt
- Facebook: Facebook.com/camshandslmt
