Her Story
About Rebeccah
Rebeccah Heeb serves as a swimming instructor for Farber Swim School in Portland, Oregon. She has been engaged in bodywork and education since 2018, with a focus on building and maintaining client relationships, educating people on how to feel more grounded in their bodies, and working with individuals of all ages. Her expertise includes teaching infants and children, coaching swim teams, and instructing adults, as well as breaking down complex material into easily understandable concepts. Rebeccah earned her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary social sciences from the University of South Florida in 2017. She is completing her massage therapy program at East-West College of the Healing Arts in Portland, Oregon. She holds NCBTMB certification from the National Certifying Board for Therapeutic Massage and Body Work and has served twice as a Stretch Zone stretch practitioner. Rebeccah maintains a student membership with the American Massage Therapy Association. Prior to her current path, she spent two years as an AmeriCorps service member with the Florida Reading Corps, worked at a historic heirloom apple orchard in Vermont, and contributed to the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation. She attributes her success to perseverance, noting her recent ADHD diagnosis at age 30 and her determination to continue trying new paths until finding her place in bodywork.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rebeccah
01What do you attribute your success to?
Perseverance. I got diagnosed this year at 30 years old as having ADHD, and I've struggled a lot trying to figure out what my path was. I've had lots of different kinds of jobs. But every time I tried something and then figured out that wasn't for me, I didn't let that stop me, I just kept on trying the next thing and the next thing until I came to the path that I'm on now, which is my path in bodywork.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never give up, don't be afraid to try different things, and do what you love.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be afraid to try, even when it gets hard. Just continue going towards what your gut is telling you, because the path will eventually be made clear.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The main challenge in bodywork is getting other fields to take us seriously because we're not certified doctors. People see us as healers who are going to solve their problems, and in that vein people also look down on us. But our job is not to heal people, it's to hold space for people to realize the healing ability in themselves. We spend a lot of time face-to-face with people, touching people, holding people and really get an intimate look into some of the hardest moments of life.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty, having fun, helping others, and being open-minded.
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