I encourage my clients to ask as many questions as they desire.
Recently, I realized that the questions most asked are how I transitioned from diesel mechanic to massage therapist and why I named my company "The Miracle of Massage."
My name is Brian Walters, and this is my story.
My hands have always been my greatest asset, and I knew a trade where I could use them would be my calling. In the early 1980s, I was a young apprentice millwright (factory mechanic) at a high-pressure chemical plant on the island of my birth, Jamaica. By 1982, I seized an opportunity to study diesel mechanics in Manhattan, New York City, opening a wider career path for me. I worked on a variety of equipment including trucks, buses, emergency ship pumps, turbines and generators across New York and parts of New Jersey.
In 1994, I moved to Lithonia, Georgia, only to find that mechanic jobs there paid less than half of what they did in New York. To support my family, I worked two jobs until I was contracted by MARTA as a Bus Maintenance Foreman for the ‘96 Olympics Transportation Project.
In 2004, I loaded bags at the airport for a major airline. This job was an awakening to the fact that it was a task best suited for a younger man. I left that job in pain after 1½ years with two torn rotator cuffs. Who could have known that a three-man crew, lifting, loading, off loading and stacking 800 - 1000 bags (on the larger planes) in 20 - 25 minutes would take its toll as it did with many others!
I tapped into my mechanical experience by starting a company selling used tractor trailers. This venture thrived until the 2007-2009 recession hit, abruptly ending truck sales.
Desperate for a livelihood, I toyed with many ideas. One was to offer mobile foot massages. I bought a massage table and planned my new venture. However, a friend's daughter, a licensed massage therapist, informed me it was illegal to charge for massages without a license in Georgia. She suggested I attend a new massage school in Suwanee that her favorite teacher owned. With an unreliable van and no money for gas, the 40 mile one way trip seemed impossible.
At age 50, I was hesitant to return to school, especially with so many obstacles. But with no other options, I decided to visit the school. The small classes and experienced instructors were impressive, yet the idea seemed impractical without the means to start.
Miraculously, when I arrived home from visiting the school, a thank you card from a friend in North Carolina was in my mailbox along with a check to buy myself a gift. Initially, I debated using the money to pay bills, but after many sleepless nights, I decided to enroll in massage school, trusting that God would guide me. My promise to God was that, “IF” He got me to school and back I would give it my best effort….though I did not see how that was possible.
Securing my high school transcripts from Jamaica presented another challenge. When I called the school in Jamaica, I was told that my records were incomplete and were from a time when Moses brought the tablets down from the mountain... A few days later, against all odds, a kind stranger in administration at the school completed and sent my transcripts to me. This one act of kindness for a complete stranger has allowed me to help over 15,000 people with their pain relief journeys.
The initial weeks were tough; the course was intense, but the instructors' dedication helped me persevere.
I received my very first massage from a fellow classmate who, like me, had little to no knowledge of massage. That event completely changed my perspective. It made me realize the amazing potential of massage therapy. I focused on gaining as much knowledge and experience as possible, offering free massages in my basement to practice techniques and gain valuable feedback. Unexpectedly, the tips I received for these free massages covered my gas expenses, literally as needed.
One morning my van, affectionately called “Old Blessing,” refused to start. I hit the starter repeatedly with an iron pipe until it eventually started. Laurie Craig, the owner of Georgia Massage School, heard of the situation and asked me how I planned to get back home. I informed her that I brought the pipe with me! For that entire week, one student would bang on the starter with the metal pipe, and someone else would turn the ignition key till it started. Once started, I dared not stop for any reason until I got home. At the end of that week, a new starter was installed. This was possible because a classmate gave me a $60 gift; Advance Auto had a sale; my auto mechanic gave me a discount; and I utilized my tips.
(You may wonder why I needed a mechanic. Actually, my arms and hands are too big for auto work; hence, I worked on heavy equipment). Other van issues included being unable to reverse for about two weeks and replacing a radiator hose. These also were resolved.
My mother’s support was crucial, allowing me to focus on my studies. My mechanical background proved invaluable in understanding the mechanics of how the body works and analytically approaching massage therapy.
While in school, I designed a special massage table inspired by a friend with breast cancer. It prevents one's body weight from squeezing one's breasts. It continues to provide comfort for women 14 years later.
Naming my company "The Miracle of Massage" was a tribute to the numerous miracles that made my journey possible.
Specializing in pain relief therapy, I’ve been blessed to help many find relief. Despite struggles, I’m grateful to work in my God-given gift. Just out of school, I was unable to find employment with a chiropractor, so I started my own business from my basement. Eventually I moved to a small, low cost, Virtual Office in Stone Mountain Village beside the noisy train tracks. Yes, that, along with the train horn, was short lived.
Five moves and one pandemic later, I am again working from home in a spacious, tranquil environment of my own design and without a basement.
For more than14 years, I’ve worked in diverse settings, such as health fairs, nightclubs, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, MARTA employee appreciation events, holiday parties, and various corporate occasions. I volunteered massage services with Hospice Atlanta (infant pain assessment and relief), Hands For Heroes (massage therapy for Veterans with PTSD and other disabilities), and my mother's own initiative, "The Hand Of Friendship" (pain relief for those who cannot afford care).
My passion for healing continues to drive me. I consult with individuals and practitioners worldwide regarding pain relief, massage technique, and best practices.
I am truly grateful to many for their trust and support over the years. I pray that I am allowed to help many more people on their path to pain relief and healing.
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