ST. GEORGE — After clinching victory at the 2024 Utah State Massage Championship and taking on the national stage, a New Harmony massage therapist is eager to share her message with the world.

“I hope to inspire and bring more people into this environment,” licensed massage therapist Rebecca Moody said about the competitions. “These experiences have taught me so much and made me want to build the community up here. Let’s work together to support each other.”

Moody said she always knew she was destined for a career in massage therapy. After serving four and a half years in the Navy and meeting her husband while guiding in Alaska, life finally allowed her to pursue her passion. She graduated from Anthem College in 2012 and honed her skills working at a chiropractor’s office and spa, where she developed a love for cupping therapy and Ashiatsu Bar massage.

She said her top priority has been delivering exceptional, customized massage treatments.

Leading up to her wedding, she took a five-month leave to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Then, she launched Enyu Therapeutic Massage, LLC, a mobile massage studio.

She and her husband’s shared love for the outdoors eventually led them from Texas to Southern Utah, where she opened Sole of Zion in 2018.

She said many people are unaware of the massage championship’s existence, and she’s determined to bring it into the spotlight. She first discovered the competitions last year through a Facebook group for fellow therapists.

“I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, this is amazing,’” she said. “I had no idea this was a thing. It was so up my alley, and I was determined to compete.”

After some digging, she learned that Utah was set to host its inaugural State Massage Championship. Originally planning to fly to a wedding in Chicago, she rearranged everything to make it happen. The event took place June 17-18 in Millcreek.

Moody said the competition includes various categories. In Utah’s inaugural year hosting, there were four: Freestyle (which blends Eastern and Western techniques), Chair massage, Sports massage and Swedish massage. She competed in both the Freestyle and Swedish massage categories.

Moody noted that the competition’s first year saw a modest number of participants, which is why she’s eager to spread the word and encourage more Utah therapists to participate.

“When we start, we actually massage each other,” she said. “So we’re actually massaging our competitors because the judges need to be able to watch everything first.”

Each competitor is evaluated using a detailed score sheet. A perfect score is 85. Contestants are judged on technique, flow, body mechanics, innovation and client interaction. The competition requires each participant to complete two rounds before switching roles. Whoever wins gold in those categories advances to the final round. In the final round, competitors compete by massaging a judge.

Moody secured first place in both the Swedish and Freestyle categories and was crowned the overall winner of the 2024 Utah State Massage Championship. Her victory earned her a free entry into the American Massage Championship in North Carolina, where she faced over 200 competitors and had less than a month to prepare.

Despite the stress of going into a larger competition, she took gold in Swedish massage at the American Massage Championships. For her performance, she showcased a creative scarf routine, gently draping and flowing the scarf around the leg and up the back to add a touch of innovation and artistry. She also had the opportunity to meet some of her massage idols, including a renowned therapist from Greece who performed demonstrations.

“It was just so impressive to see these amazing therapists from around the country,” she said about the national competition. “It’s so surreal, honestly. Meeting these amazing therapists is what made it so exciting.”

Next year, the American Massage Championship will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, in conjunction with the World Massage Festival. This event will include a wide range of vendors and educational opportunities, with classes and workshops designed to keep massage therapists at the forefront of industry trends.

While these events are a competition, she noted that participants support each other rather than seeing it as a rivalry. When she learned she had made the finals at the American Massage Championships and had only 10 minutes to prepare for the final round, she was overwhelmed. During that stressful time, other therapists she had just met the previous day stepped in to offer their assistance. 

“That is why I love this culture because we are so supportive of one another,” she said. “We want to learn from each other, and I think that’s what’s key. We’re not competition, we should be a team, and that’s how I see it.”

To learn more about Sole of Zion, visit their website or click here to schedule a massage. Follow her on Facebook for the latest updates and special offers. For information on the Utah Massage Championship, follow them on Facebook.

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