Life and Work with Tracie Mears

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracie Mears.

Tracie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been a massage therapist for three years, but healing has been my passion since I began practicing Reiki 20 years ago.

In 1997, I moved to Sisters, Oregon to apprentice with an herbalist, which is where my true love of alternative therapies and medicinal herbs began. When I moved back to Breckenridge, Colorado, I attended Herb School of the Rockies where I developed more skills making and using plant medicine.

I lived in Summit County for 20 years. During that time, I managed a couple of different day spas and a holistic healing Clinic with an herbal apothecary. I began making healing herbal products out of Arnica, Yarrow, and other herbs I could collect in the wild (I included a photo of me harvesting Arnica in the woods with my dog, Pete). I also organically grow a lot of the herbs in my products. About ten years ago, I began to think about becoming a massage therapist, but I did not want to commute to the front range to go to school. When I moved to Longmont five years ago, I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a bodyworker. I had a vision of being able to combine my herbal remedies and healing touch and Heartlight Massage has been the perfect Outlet.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall, my journey has been remarkably smooth. Right out of school I got a job at Spavia. I knew that this type of situation wasn’t exactly what I was envisioning since I wasn’t really able to utilize the rest of my healing background, but it was the perfect place to get the experience and confidence I needed. I also work at a Chiropractic Clinic, which gives me a more medical aspect of massage. A year after I got out of school, a beautiful healing space was offered to me inside the Terry Street Collective. I wasn’t necessarily looking to start my own practice yet but I believe that opportunities happen for a reason. Part of my vision has been to be in a healing space with other types of holistic practitioners, and that’s exactly what this collection is all about. I knew I was meant to take the leap and start my own practice.

My motto for 2018 was “baby steps” so that I wouldn’t get overwhelmed. I started my private practice with two days a week and kept my job at the spa and clinic. Six months later, I was able to add another day in my private practice and cut back another day at the spa. My goal is to be solely working for myself by the end of 2019. Whenever I felt overwhelmed starting my own practice, I just remember to take it one piece at a time and set realistic goals.

Please tell us about what you do.
I am building my practice around the premise of combining therapeutic techniques with relaxation massage. I believe as a Healer I can make a big difference in somebody’s physical body and emotional state at the same time. So often, our physical aches and pains are related to emotional trauma and stress. This year, I have taken a big interest in craniosacral therapy. I took the Upledger Craniosacral 1 class in January and I am going to take Craniosacral 2 this fall. This technique is changing my practice because it is dealing with healing on a much deeper level in the nervous system. I am encouraging a lot of my regular clients to extend their massage time so that we can incorporate the craniosacral therapy into their massage. That way, a client can still get the tissue work they are used to and the nervous system work that heals on a deeper level. Recently, I have put together a package with the Fluid IV Lounge inside the collective to get an IV treatment at the same time as a craniosacral treatment. This is a unique, one of a kind offering that we have not seen anywhere else. (I included some photos of this treatment).

I have also been practicing Reiki for about 20 years. This is a type of energy work that can be incorporated into a massage to help release stored up negative energy and realign chakras. The combination of all of these healing techniques makes for a powerful massage on many levels.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
The Association of Bodyworks and massage professionals has been a very helpful resource as far as finding continuing education. There are many videos and articles about new techniques coming up and new ways of learning things.

Pricing:

• one hour massage $70
• 90-minute massage $100
• two-hour mind, body and soul package includes massage, craniosacral therapy, and Reiki. $120

Contact Info:

• Address: 610 Terry Street
  Longmont, Colorado 80501
• Website: www.heartlightmassage.com
• Phone: 970-485-9759

Image Credit:
Tracie Mears

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.