The LMT Refinery

There are a lot of ways to measure a class.

For me, it isn’t just whether someone learns a new technique.

It’s whether they leave more confident. Maybe just reinspired.

Whether they feel seen.

Whether they trust themselves a little more than they did when they walked in.

Reading feedback like this reminds me why I keep my classes small and why I’ll always choose connection over ego.

To every therapist who’s trusted me with a piece of their journey, thank you 🙏🏼

When I first became a massage therapist, I thought success would come from learning more techniques.

Twenty years later, I know it's just as much about communication, consistency, boundaries, and the way you think about your career.

Some of the biggest shifts in my practice didn't happen after a new certification. They happened when I changed my perspective.

That's what these five lessons represent.

I'm sure I'll keep adding to this list as the years go on, but these are the ones that continue to shape how I practice, teach, and run my business today.

Which one resonated with you most? Or what lesson would you add?

Out of office 🌲July 2026

For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be mostly off the grid and probably out of cell service while my best friend and I continue section hiking the Appalachian Trail. This has become one of our favorite traditions, and every year we tackle around 80+ miles together.

One of the greatest gifts my businesses have given me isn’t just income. It’s time.

Time to disappear into the mountains.
Time to disconnect.
Time to come home with stories instead of notifications.

That didn’t happen by accident. It took years of building systems, trusting my team, creating boundaries, and accepting that the business can thrive without me answering emails from a mountaintop.

If you’re waiting for “someday” to take the trip, spend the time with your people, or do the thing that’s been on your heart, let this be your reminder that it’s worth building a business that supports your life, not one that consumes it.

See you in a couple weeks. The mountains are calling.

Some students become so much more than students.

Sandy was in one of the very first classes I ever taught when The LMT Refinery was just getting started. She traveled all the way from Ohio to Florida to learn, long before any of us knew what this little dream would become.

I recently got to teach her again in Michigan as she continued through our Barefoot Focus Series, and it felt like such a full-circle moment.

She’s one of the kindest, funniest humans you’ll ever meet, and she’ll always have a special place in my heart because she was part of the beginning. Those early students took a chance on me, trusted my vision, and helped build the foundation of what The Refinery is today.

Thank you, Sandy, for continuing to show up, keep learning, and remind me how meaningful these relationships become over the years 🫶🏼🙏🏼

Fun fact: Sandy has been a therapist for 30 something years! Another long timer that inspires me with such a long career Sandy Ott Trotter

How are we already talking about the second half of 2026? 😳

If continuing education is still on your radar this year, here are our remaining classes in Florida:

🧘🏼Mat Based Techniques | Sept 5-6 | 16CEs | $500
🙌🏼 NMT: Jaw + Neck | Oct 3-4 | 16 CEs | $500
👣 Tools + Touch | Oct 10 | 8 CEs | $250
👣 Active Ashi | Oct 11 | 8 CEs | $250
👣 Grounded Flow | Oct 12 | 8 CEs | $250
🦶🏼 Intro to Barefoot Massage | Nov 6-8 | 24 CEs | $725

Whether you’re looking to build foundational skills or take your barefoot work to the next level, we’d love to have you join us.

Small classes. Hands-on learning. Practical techniques you can immediately bring back to your clients.

Which class is on your CE wish list this year?