Like many massage therapists, Ashley Allday knew from an early age she wanted to help others in some way. The animal lover planned to become a veterinarian and worked in a veterinary clinic in her teens, but a medical condition prevented her from pursuing that career.
So, she switched gears and enrolled in massage school. "With massage, I can help both people and animals in a natural way, which is a blessing," she says.
Today, Allday is a manager for a company that contracts licensed massage therapists to provide chair massage to patrons on the casino floors at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino in North Carolina—people playing slot machines, table games, etc. "Most of the time patrons are still gambling at the tables or slot machines while our therapists are providing chair massage."
For many MTs, an important part of the work day is thinking about how to attract potential clients. But when Allday gets to work, she looks out on a sea of them. "I have the opportunity to make as much money as I can each day asking patrons of the casino if they want a chair massage, rather than waiting for people to call or walk in."
Allday says she gets tremendous satisfaction from her work, not just from helping clients in pain, but from helping other therapists succeed in their practices. "My most rewarding experience is helping other therapists become better equipped—whether that is through body mechanics, techniques, or how to approach patrons at table games and slot machines."
Favorite movie or TV show: Game of Thrones
Favorite band/artist: Foo Fighters
Favorite food: chicken vindaloo
Favorite book: Too many to pick a favorite!
Favorite quote: "It doesn't matter where you are; you are nowhere compared to where you can go." —Bob Proctor
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