By Aimee Woodley

The path to success is often long and winding, and Rachel Alexander’s was no exception.

When Rachel left Eagle River to study music, she had no idea that her future was in her hands, not her voice.

She left Eagle River for Fairbanks, then finished her degree in Georgia. When she returned to Alaska, she went to work at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, where she stayed for ten years.

As Rachel’s path turned to family, she realized that she needed a more flexible schedule. She decided to learn a trade – massage therapy. Two years ago, she spent six months earning her certificate in Therapeutic Massage Therapy and has been happy with her decision.

Rachel’s path has been full of the high notes of pursuing her dreams to teach music and the low notes of the reality of administrating your own business. She has developed a growth mindset, which allows her to keep learning along the way.

She listens to podcasts by experts in her field, and for those who own small businesses. She works smarter, not harder by keeping her support system strong.

Because her business is flourishing, she is able to concentrate on giving her clients more reasons to choose her business over another.

Right now, she is working on becoming a Preferred Provider so that she can bill insurance for her clients.

As a Certified Therapeutic Massage Therapist, Rachel will always have a client base. There will always be a need for those who are skilled, practiced, and willing to assist the rest of us. Too many of us push our bodies too hard – or not hard enough and live with physical pain.

Massage is also a great way to practice self-care. Rachel works not only to “get the knots out,” but also to put space back into the body, creating a long-lasting benefit to the time you spend with her.

Rachel practices strong therapeutic massage as well as the Myoskeletal Alignment Technique, which is often helpful for those suffering from chronic pain.