Life is a journey, not a destination. We have all heard that age-old expression at some point in our lives! I have traveled many roads and worn many different hats on a journey that has lead me to where I am now. I have lived in different US States as well as many different parts of New York State. I have Bachelor and Masters degrees in Music Education; I have a degree and NYS/National licenses in Massage Therapy, as well as NY State and National Certifications in Sports Massage and SportStretch (SportStretchUSA) Therapies. I have my prides and joys in my three beautiful daughters, who are all grown up now and fill me with pride and joy every day. I guess, mostly because of having only daughters, I always strive to lead by example. I want them to continue to be successful, secure adults in this ever-changing society and it is very important to me to show them that they can accomplish anything, any dream, as long as they work hard, have goals, and are accountable.
Flashback to my life several years ago (circa 2004), as it was then that I started on my path towards the life I lead now. All those ago I was working at a job I loved. I was a part-time elementary orchestra teacher in a local school district, and I had been there for many years. I was successful, I knew so many families in the district, I truly felt valued by the community, and I really loved my job. Budget time came around, and there were hints that there would be cuts. I was lucky that year, but four years later my position, as it was, was indeed eliminated. Me, being me, during those four years, I started thinking I needed a “back-up” plan.
There were also some changes in my personal life between 2004 and 2007. I was in an unhappy and abusive marriage, which ultimately ended in separation, then divorce. I need not elaborate more on that, as it is too painful and unnecessary to re-hash. I have worked my way through and beyond. But, my world was turned upside down in a short time period. I was fortunate to find a job in another local school district, but it was full time and was 40 miles from my home. For me, with all of my years teaching experience, and as a single mom, this was not a good scenario. I was financially and emotionally devastated, physically drained, and very unhappy. My health took a downward spiral due to the huge amount of stress I felt from all of the changes.
There was a shining beacon at the time came in the form of a wonderful man who, in 2009, became my husband. Early along in our relationship he said to me, “life is too short to be miserable.” And I WAS miserable when he met me. My one release through all this was that I am an exerciser. I had been an exercise walker for many years, along the way had discovered pilates, yoga, had taken dance classes, and had ventured into the world of rowing. My physical health was paramount to me on so many levels. I met John, who has spent a lifetime helping others, he was my rowing coach from 2008 on, and my life changed. I have no clue why he pursued me, let alone stayed with me! But, I hated my new teaching job, I hated the commute. I could not spend time with my family, could not exercise, eat properly, or simply enjoy life. So I heeded my new husband’s words, and in 2010 I decided to make a change. With initially hesitant support from my new husband I left my full-time teaching career and went to school to become a massage therapist. I had decided on that field because I felt a strong pull in the direction of helping people to better their lives through promoting health and wellness. As I progressed in massage school, I knew I had made the right decision. I did well in school, graduated, passed the very difficult NYS Massage Board exam, then passed the National Board Certification exam (through NCBTMB). I had a lot to prove, there was a lot at stake, and I had to be successful in my new chosen career. By this point, my husband was fully on board with me and has been a beacon of support throughout my journey.
During the years after massage school, I pursued several different jobs in massage. The career offers so many different arenas in which to practice and hone skills. I have found great success so far in the many different avenues available in the profession of Massage Therapy, from working in Spas, Chiropractic offices, Wellness Centers, to being an employee, being self-employed, doing Insurance work, etc. Being the consummate educator, I eventually was offered and accepted a position as Massage Instructor at the school where I had attended. I remained in that position for four years. With all that, I have truly found my “calling” (if you will) in the arenas of Medical Massage, Sports Massage, and SportStretch. My motto is, I am here to help, and I truly mean it.
In May, 2018, after building a successful career in private practice, I decided to become a full-time employee at Woodhouse Day Spa. A lot of people were shocked. They thought I was selling myself short, lowering my standards (based on all of my extra education and certifications), and taking a step back in my career. Honestly, I wasn’t so sure about my decision at the time, but given what I was dealing with at the time, it seemed like the right choice to make. And guess what? It was. I have found great success at Woodhouse. I have a wonderful and loyal clientele, I can do what I do, I am the Lead Therapist there, and I love my job. There is a lot to be said for that!!! I can not only service clients who need specific massage treatments that tap into my medical and sports credentials, but also I can help others to experience the true benefits of therapeutic massage. I am so grateful for and appreciate my job as a Massage Therapist, and I am excited to continue to work in the awesome atmosphere in which I work! Aside from that, and separate from that, I am now excited to announce that I am now offering sessions in SportStretch. I took an intensive 40-hour certification class to learn this effective technique, performing on NFL players and prospects. It was the most fulfilling and inspiring class and certification course I have done thus far in my Massage career. If you are an athlete, if you are training for any sort of sports event (including Half-Marathon, Full-Marathon, Ironman Compettiton, etc.), this is for YOU!!! Please click on the SportsMassage tab in my website (kellycartus.com) to learn about SportStretch, read the testimonials, and see when I will be offering my next SportsStretch clinics. I invite you to follow my posts during the next weeks/months to see how I continue to progress on my journey. I hope you become inspired enough to trust me for your massage needs as well as for your stretch needs so that you, too, can feel better, perform better, and strive to do your best in whatever arena you choose! Remember, healthy body = healthy mind = healthy life! #massagelife #sportsmassage #sportstretch #sportstretchusa #massagejourney #takingchances #massagecareer #liveyourbestlife #woodhousespabuffalo #woodhousedayspa