You didn’t become a massage therapist to do spreadsheets — but understanding a few core numbers in your business can be the difference between burnout and sustainability, between “barely scraping by” and feeling confident in your pricing, schedule, and goals.

In this episode of Folding Towels, Jackie and David unpack the five key numbers every massage therapist should know — without getting buried in financial jargon or complicated systems. With a bit of humour and a lot of honesty, they break down how knowing your numbers can help you make smarter decisions about your time, pricing, energy, and business growth.

You’ll learn how to:

• Work out how many clients you can sustainably see per week or month without frying your nervous system.

• Understand the real cost of delivering a massage, including the hidden time and energy expenses most therapists overlook.

• Reverse-engineer your pricing based on your financial needs, values, and actual capacity — not just what the place down the road charges.

• Track booking patterns, cancellations, and active clients to find gaps, avoid burnout, and tighten up your calendar.

• Spot seasonal trends and client rhythms so you can plan your holidays, promos, and quiet times like a boss.

  
  

This episode is a gentle invitation to take stock — using what you already know, what your gut’s been telling you, and maybe a trusty legal pad. Whether you’re a numbers person or not, these simple insights can help you run your massage business with more clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Got thoughts on this topic? Let us know on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc

Anyeska O’Rourke was inspired to work in allied health from the age of 8. Put off by the prejudices of academics she went on to qualify as a Remedial Massage Therapist and work on the luxury resort island of Hayman Island. But it was an injury and a move to Canada that changed everything.

In Canada, she fell in love with the wellbeing side of the industry — the slower pace, the heart-led care, the space to work with people more deeply. When she returned to the Gold Coast, she brought those values home with her.

In this episode, she shares:
✨ Why building your practice slowly is okay
✨ How to shape your business around your values
✨ What quiet leadership looks like
✨ How doubt can be part of a thoughtful practice
✨ And why success doesn’t have to mean hustle

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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc

Every now and then, a massage client crosses a line — and it leaves us feeling rattled, ashamed, or unsure of what to do next.

In this deeply personal solo episode, David tackles a topic no therapist wants to deal with — but most will face at some point in their career. We’re talking about creepers: the clients who mistake therapeutic massage for something else, ask inappropriate questions, behave in sexually suggestive ways, or blatantly expose themselves.

Drawing on real-life experiences and the insightful writing of Ian Harvey (Massage is Weird), David explores:

• The different types of creepers — and how to spot them early

• The warning signs before they ever book

• What to say when someone crosses the line

• How to fire a client professionally and protect your space

• And, most importantly, why you are not to blame

Whether you’ve already had one of those “what just happened?” moments, or you’re trying to be prepared for the future, this episode is a must-listen. It’s not light. It’s not funny. But it is real, honest, and designed to help you stay grounded, safe, and strong in your work.

🔗 If you find this episode helpful, share it with a massage colleague. Let’s support each other — and make it clear: That’s not what we do here.

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Theme Music: Simon Pettersson "All Alone" (2020), Licensed use through Audio Hero Inc