Continuing our exploration of health and wellness from last week’s article with a Certified Facial Yoga Specialist, this week's Women in Business Highlight shifts focus to the interconnected realms of physical and mental well-being. I had the opportunity to chat with Savannah Tollefsrud, a massage therapist in Tampa, FL. She’s had rave reviews of her miracle hands and techniques. Let’s dive in and find out all about her!
Discovering Savannah
Savannah’s journey began in Wyoming where she was born and raised. Her childhood was marked by trauma, which she carried not only as mental anguish but also as physical pain. Initially, Savannah hesitated to address her trauma through traditional therapy methods. However, one day while working at a pharmacy, a woman recognized that Savannah’s “light” had gone out and recommended she call her. Savannah was skeptical but called the woman anyway and discovered the profound healing power of Myofascial Release (MFR) therapy, a holistic, therapeutic approach to manual therapy. She was elated that MFR not only addressed her physical pain but also opened her emotionally and spiritually.
Having experienced the limitations of Western healthcare firsthand during her years working in nursing and pharmacy, Savannah found solace and empowerment in MFR's holistic approach to healing. Unlike conventional methods that often focus solely on medications and surgeries, MFR prioritizes listening to the body and allowing it to heal at its own pace.
Driven by her transformative experience, Savannah embarked on a journey to learn MFR, moving to Florida with her cousin and immersing herself in massage school to obtain the necessary license. Her dedication and passion for helping others led her to work in a spa for several years before realizing her dream of opening her own business in July 2022.
Emerging From the Ashes
Savannah has quite the transformation for her business and her business name, From the Ashes Myofascial Release, embodies that transformation as well. The logo of her business is a phoenix, which is pivotal because of how she felt in her life prior to finding MFR. Before MFR therapy, she felt as if the world was dull and found herself not really living but merely surviving. After discovering MFR though, the color began to come back to life as she felt her life was rising, like a phoenix does. Savannah reflects, “A phoenix has to die, but it gets born again and comes back better and prettier than before.” Thus, a reflection of her life and the resemblance of “from the ashes” and the creation of a beautiful business.
Although Savannah can help anyone, an ideal client for MFR is someone experiencing chronic pain and nothing else seems to have helped the pain. To truly experience the benefits of MFR, clients are encouraged to be open-minded as the effects of MFR may seem unorthodox to a regular massage. In a regular massage, the release of knots is instant, and a client can feel better afterwards; however, with MFR it’s a bit different as it’s a gentle sustained pressure where the client may feel like nothing is happening. But once a client allows the journey of this treatment it becomes not only a physical release but also a mental and emotional release that was held in the body as physical pain. Often, clients seek her as a last resort and typically because other practitioners have only attempted to heal the physical component without addressing the emotional attachment that comes with the pain. Therefore, Savannah treats clients with a calming laid-back personality that acknowledges all sides of the pain to help them alleviate it once and for all.
Think Bigger, Help More
Over the next year, Savannah would like to help as many clients as she can, but she also would like to make a bigger impact by eventually opening a wellness center. She has a bold vision for the wellness center to encompass multiple MFR therapists among other health and wellness professionals including a physical therapist, a personal trainer, a chiropractor, a nutritional coach, and a mental therapist. She wants this expansion as it would be most beneficial for her clients, so she can provide the best support possible.
Her business allows her to practice massage therapy through an approach that is best for her clients. She can treat her client with a mix of regular massage as well as MFR. This is how she envisions it for her clients as each client is different and the treatment may not be as simple as only massage or only MFR, but a combination that allows each client’s body to heal as it sees fit which may render a physical and mental healing. Savannah can connect better with each client as she herself has experienced being stuck or in a perpetual state of darkness, so she can guide them out of that feeling with her practice.
Inspiration, Healing, & Courage
One of Savannah’s biggest inspirations was when she witnessed a fellow entrepreneur open her own pediatric dentist practice. Savannah was in awe watching her take on the immense risk involved of opening her own practice. Savannah found inspiration in the fellow entrepreneur's determination, as her courage shone through despite the daunting challenges, propelling her toward the realization of her dream of opening the practice. This momentum of entrepreneurial pursuit is what helps Savannah keep pushing with her own dreams.
Savannah has two people she would love to discuss business with – one being her cousin. Savannah enjoys talking with her cousin about business as her cousin has a deep understanding not only of Savannah’s business but also her reasoning for the business. Savannah and her cousin share a kindred spirit and are similar in nature, being able to express each other’s thoughts without needing further explanation.
The other person Savannah would enjoy talking business with is Crystal Stutler, a Success Career & Business Coach. Crystal was featured in our Women in Business Highlight series in March (in case you missed it go read her story as well!). Savannah had nothing but glowing reviews about Crystal and feels honored to have met her. Crystal shares enthusiasm and passion for Savannah’s practice. Savannah expressed her gratitude that Crystal is always supporting and promoting her business without expectations of anything in return.
Just Do It
Savannah shares her advice with fellow and aspiring entrepreneurs, “Do it, anyways!” Like the slogan of Nike, “Just Do It.” Indeed, it’s true, despite being afraid or hindered by obstacles in your progress, start pushing through on your goals – whatever it is that you need to do and do. Savannah takes her own advice and stays motivated to keep going herself with her business because she feels it’s her purpose. She feels that no matter how hard it is sometimes, there is nothing else that at this point brings her as much joy as being a massage therapist. She resonates with the practice and being able to pursue her passion to help others. Last, but not least, Savannah is enthralled with the freedom and joy her business provides.
Get Your MFR Session
Savannah's story is a testament to the profound impact of finding a healing modality that resonates deeply with one's needs and values. Through her own journey of self-discovery and healing, she now channels her expertise and compassion into helping others experience the transformative power of MFR therapy.
As the body is intricately connected, it’s no wonder that the mental and emotional impacts are intertwined with physical pain. When the mind is hurting, it may speak that pain through a physical sensation. A person can understand that something is wrong with the body through that pain and start to seek solutions to alleviate the pain. The healing process may involve understanding the mind to thoroughly address the pain, such as through MFR as a remedy. If you are wondering if this type of practice is right for you because you’ve also experienced trauma or have chronic pain, then seek out Savannah and see what she can do! You can reach out to her on Facebook at From the Ashes Myofascial Release or book a session by clicking here.
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