Massage Momentum With Mary-Claire Fredette

Is DIY Skincare (or Massage Product) Right for You?

Mary-Claire reveals her hands-on experience creating face, body & massage emolients products from everyday ingredients. With detailed chronicles of weeks spent fine-tuning the perfect blend of beeswax, castor oil, and avocado oil, she explores how these natural products can benefit your skin.   If you're intrigued by DIY skincare or want to know more about how natural products can support healthy skin, this episode will intrigue and inspire.   **Podcast Episode Summary:** Today’s episode is all about using natural products like beeswax, castor oil, and avocado oil in the making of facial and body products. It can be used for self-care or as a lubrican for massage clients . The topic gives a detailed description of the experimentation conducted over several weeks to create the desired texture of the product. The process involved the addition of varying amounts of avocado oil and castor oil to beeswax – a locally procured natural ingredient. The benefits of using these specific ingredients are also highlighted in the episode. **Key Points** - The making of a natural massage lubricant using beeswax, castor oil, and avocado oil. - The benefits of using locally procured beeswax. - The usefulness of Avocado and Castor oil for skin care. - The experimentation to achieve the desired product consistency. - Benefits of using natural and organic products over synthetic congested ones

For Skin’s Sake…Unlock the Power of Castor Oil

This episode will captivate anyone intrigued by wellness, as our host candidly describes her transition from using chemical-laden massage creams to organic castor oil. Hear Mary-Claire's account of the astounding healing and therapeutic properties of this ancient remedy. Whether you're a massage therapist, a wellness enthusiast, or merely someone that desires a healthier lifestyle, this episode will have you reevaluating the products you use and open your mind to the power of ancient remedies. **Podcast Show Notes** **Summary** This podcast delves into the impact of massage oils and creams on our skin and general wellness. As a detox tool and a necessity in most massage therapy sessions, it is crucial that we form an awareness about the products we use. Primarily focusing on castor oil, an ancient remedy, we explore the benefits and potential use of castor oil in massage therapy and skin care routine. **Key Points** - Chemicals and artificial fragrances in massage oils can have harmful effects on our bodies. - Switching to organic, natural oils or creams for massages is beneficial. - Seed oils can be highly inflammatory. - Castor Oil: An ancient remedy – It's anti-inflammatory, has some stickiness and glide to it, suitable for certain therapeutic treatments. - Mixing castor oil with other oils (like avocado oil) can improve the texture and utility in massage practices. - Castor oil is highly moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, improves circulation, and promotes relaxation. - It's recommended to ask a client about any allergies before applying the oil. - Adding essential oils to the blend can also help to suit the client's preferences. - Castor oil can be mixed into creams to make them last longer, which can be especially beneficial in winter when the skin is drier. **Link Mentioned** Heritage Store Castor Oil - Large 32 oz bottle: https://amzn.to/47iF7GQ [https://amzn.to/47iF7GQ]  They also have a 16 oz bottle. (Affiliate links pay a teensy commission, but it doesn't affect your price.)

Are Your Food Choices Causing Inflammation?

Unmasking Inflammation: A Deep Dive into its Causes and Effects" - In this riveting episode, we embark on an enlightening journey exploring the enigma of inflammation, how it manifests within us and why our eating habits may be to blame. From exploring seasonal outbreaks to revealing truths about sugar, this episode is packed with a wealth of information both for you and your clients. If your clients are grappling with unusual aches and pains, join us on this exploration of the mystery behind inflammation and discover how you can bring relief. Discover why your diet could be the culprit behind those strange aches and pains and how to take control. **Summary:** In today's episode, we delve into the subject of inflammation, the impact it has on our bodies and its connection to our diet. With the holiday season in full swing, it's particularly important to understand how our food choices can lead to increased aches, pains and inflammations. We discuss diverse ways inflammation appears in the body and identify certain food triggers that may exacerbate inflammation. This information can not only help you personally but provide valuable insights you can potentially pass on to your clients. **Key Points:** - Inflammation can manifest in different areas including joints, digestive system, respiratory system, skin, brain (causing mood issues or brain fog), heart and blood vessels, autoimmune diseases, and in muscles and connective tissues. - Certain foods trigger inflammation: refined carbohydrates, trans fats, omega six fatty acids, alcohol, processed meat, excess refined salts, cooking oils, and dairy, especially for those who are sensitive or allergic. - Changes in diet can significantly impact the level of inflammation in the body. Choosing healthier alternatives, reducing alcohol intake, and limiting consumption of processed foods can make a difference. - As massage therapists, being aware of these factors can help in providing better care to clients, especially during the holiday season when dietary choices may differ. **Links Mentioned:** [RealMilk.com] https://www.realmilk.com [http://www.realmilk.com]  - Resource for finding raw milk, [MassageMomentum.com]https://www.massagemomentum.com [https://www.massagemomentum.com]  - For further information, resources, and freebies. To ask any questions or share comments, reach email at hello@massagemomentum.com.

The Body-Shaming Bathroom Incident

Tune into a heartfelt episode that focuses on the importance of empathy and respect in the wellness industry. Through the emotional recounting of a friend's humiliating experience during a standard massage session, a startling reality comes to light about body shaming and professional conduct. This episode acts as a mirror, prompting us to reevaluate our attitudes and language, reminding us how they can shape someone else's experience. **Podcast Episode 17: A Lesson in Empathy and Professionalism for Massage Therapists** In this episode, we delve into a personal narrative shared by a close friend about his unfortunate experience at a massage therapy franchise. Suffering from Parkinson’s disease and seeking relief through deep tissue massages, he faced an unpleasant instance of body shaming and mockery that has repercussions on how he approached massage therapy onward. This episode educates therapists about the power of their words and the importance of empathy in their approach to clients. We underscore the significance of sensitivity, kindness, and confidentiality in the job. **Key Points** - The narrator’s friend, a Parkinson’s patient, recounts an upsetting incident of body shaming at a massage therapy franchise, which was a blow to his expectation of professionalism. - The therapists at the franchise were overheard making fun of him needing a restroom break during the massage session. - The incident had a profound impact on him, causing embarrassment, anger, and humiliation. - Expresses disappointment about the lack of empathy and understanding from the therapists. - Important for therapists to remember the trust and vulnerability clients place in them and always be mindful of their words and actions. - Importance of treating clients with kindness, patience, and love irrespective of what could be the circumstance. - Therapists should reflect on their words and actions and consider how they would feel if they were in a similar situation as a client. - Emphasises that understanding and addressing people's ailments and difficulties with sensitivity forms the backbone of being a reliable massage therapist. Send me a note on your thoughts: mailto:maryclaire@massagemomentum.com [maryclaire@massagemomentum.com]

Slay the Fear of Raising Your Massage Rates

Episode 16 digs into the challenging and often great reluctance of many massage therapists - raising their rates. In this compelling conversation, we delve into the root causes of such fears, from self-confidence to competition to business skills in this lucrative and complex industry. Tune in and equip yourself with the insights and strategies necessary to confidently raise your rates without losing your clients. **Podcast Show Notes** * Summary This episode is all about conquering fear and building confidence as a massage therapist, mainly focusing on raising rates. We explore the five reasons why massage therapists are hesitant about raising their charges, provide assistance on how to overcome each one, and discuss how to effectively raise rates without scaring away clients. * Key Points - Lack of confidence is a major reason massage therapists hesitate to increase their rates. - Competition should be seen as a driving force rather than a threat. - Lack of business skills often results in therapists undervaluing their services. - Massage therapists need to understand the investment of time and energy required in their profession. - Many therapists perceive resistance from clients about rate increases. But will you actually receive  it? * Links Mentioned - Link to free PDF download on how to raise rates https://www.massagemomentum.com/raising-your-rates [https://www.massagemomentum.com/raising-your-rates]