When I was in public school, I felt deeply isolated because I knew I was not like other people. I always felt like an imposter. Like I didn’t belong anywhere except for the cracks in the sidewalks, where I’d hide myself so nobody would see me fully. This pushed me to really want to understand how my brain and other’s brains work… then maybe I could understand myself and other’s better… and help other’s feel less alone and clueless than I was. I decided that I might become a psychologist. I learned quickly that my empathy is too big for the job. I would absolutely crumble if I chose that for my career. I knew I still wanted to help others in a big way. In this world where poor mental health is rampant, and pain is our largest public health issue to date. In a world where we are told to shut up and put up with the craziness that is expected of us – to be less human. To be more profitable. I shifted to childcare and teaching. Thinking my path would be teaching children, planting the seeds for a healthier and happier world this way. I loved it, but I was physically and mentally burnt out and barely able to pay my bills by the end of 4 yrs. I wasn’t able to bring my best to the table for these kids anymore because I could hardly take care of myself. At my breaking point, massage therapy fell into my lap. I had no idea what the world of massage was all about at the time. I learned of a local school, Sarasota School of Massage Therapy, a magical place that produces some of the best massage therapists in the country. As soon as I walked in the doors to take a tour, I finally felt like I was somewhere I was meant to be, somewhere I belonged. I remember looking forward to my program starting for months. I never missed a class because I was truly in love with learning more about massage therapy and all of its facets. I quickly realized how much massage therapy facilitates healing and regulation of not only the body, but the brain as well. Really, truly a magical thing. My massage table being a safe, soft landing place for my clients, friends, and family. A place for healing, and presence. Two *vital* things that our society does not make time and space for. That is how I decided to name my business – Vitality Massage by Allexis. I could go on and on about massage therapy, but we’ll end story time here. I’m just feeling extraordinarily in alignment with where I am at, and can’t wait to learn more.
Allexis Bayliss, LMT, SSMT Class 278
