Influential Woman · Healthcare
Andrea Valentin
Licensed Massage Therapist, Self Emnployed
Lancaster, PA
Her Story
About Andrea
I've been a licensed massage therapist for 15 years, and I came to this career in an unexpected way. I didn't like college, and I happened upon a massage therapy school and signed up that same day. After completing 10 months of schooling, I became nationally certified, and later began getting licensed in every state I've resided in, including Michigan, North Carolina, and now Pennsylvania. What keeps me going in this field is seeing the results and helping people. I've had clients come in with migraines, shoulder pain, and frozen shoulder, and after multiple sessions, they see real improvements. Client feedback is the most rewarding part of my job, when they can confidently say I helped them. That's primarily why I do what I do. I've built my practice through referrals and word of mouth, working both independently and with healthcare providers like chiropractors. I specialize in deep tissue massage and have had the opportunity to work on professional athletes, which has been a huge accomplishment for me. I'm very adamant about being taken seriously as a licensed massage therapist providing therapeutic health benefits, not just relaxation. I also mentor newcomers to the field, which I find very rewarding, especially since I didn't really have anyone to help me when I was starting out.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Andrea
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to determination and wanting to succeed. I've always wanted to hold an active license and better myself, and better the field. I take pride in what I do, so I want to keep doing it for as long as I can, hopefully. It's about believing in myself and not doubting what I know, even when clients try to quiz me or question my knowledge. I know how to manipulate the muscles, what they connect to, and how to help people, and that's what I'm here for.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would give them the exact same advice I received, and tell them to never doubt themselves. There's a lot of doubt in this field, and you just have to believe in yourself and know what you're doing. Men will come in, I think it's primarily men, questioning you or trying to quiz you, especially ones that work out a lot. They'll ask things like, 'Well, what's that muscle?' But I don't need to know what the name is, I know how to manipulate it, I know what it connects to, and I know how to help. That's what I'm here for. So my advice is don't doubt yourself, don't question things, and if you're confident, they'll believe in you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is being taken seriously, especially as a woman. Men will come in and question you or try to quiz you on muscle names, particularly ones that work out a lot. It's about proving that you know what you're doing and maintaining that professional distinction between being a licensed massage therapist versus a masseuse. As for opportunities, continuing education is huge for me. I always try to update my knowledge on a regular basis, and I'm required to do that to hold an active license. The opportunities come from experience and learning not to doubt myself, because when I'm confident, clients believe in me.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my personal life, my family is the most important value. My children inspire me and motivate me to do something for them and try to make the world a better place for them. In my work, ethics is a huge value because that goes into the whole aspect of being a licensed massage therapist. Ethics is at the core of everything I do professionally. I take pride in what I do and want to maintain those high standards in my field.
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