Graduate Story - Narelle Banks

02 Nov
2017 Tagged as

graduate stories

Narelle Graduated from Evolve College with flying colours in July 2017 with a HLT52015 Diploma of Remedial Massage.

"I remember looking at the Evolve website before I enrolled and reading the graduate stories and thinking to myself, I wish I could be that person on their website showing that YES I DID IT!!! And now I am, amazing."

Why did you study massage?

Massage is very special to me, my late Mother would massage my feet every night whilst I was undergoing cancer treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 19 years ago. I will never forget the wonderful effects massage had on my mind and body.

Working in the health field with positions that included Secretary to an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Ward Clerk duties in various private hospitals. I began to feel that I wanted a ‘hands on’ position where I could really have a positive contribution to a person’s wellbeing.

Massage was the answer.

Why Evolve?

I decided to further my massage studies and continue with the Diploma of Remedial Massage. I was working full-time and needed a course that would meet all the National Standards of Massage Therapy and provide a training schedule that would suit my timetable and fit around my busy life. Evolve was an easy choice. I found the college lecturers to be highly knowledgeable and welcoming and found the course content was very thorough. There was a great balance of hands on learning and online theory modules. If I ever felt unsure of certain components of the online modules, all I had to do was make a phone call to the Support team at Evolve. They were very supportive and helpful with any concerns I had.

Where are you practising now?

I completed my Certificate 4 in Massage in December 2015 and started working casually as a Massage Therapist for a National Mobile Massage Company in January 2016 whilst remaining in my full-time position as a Ward Clerk. Whilst I continued to work full-time as Ward Clerk I undertook 5 study courses on different massage modalities which included the Remedial Massage Diploma with Evolve. In August 2016 I become a full-time Massage Therapist. I worked as a contractor for 5 Mobile Massage companies whilst gaining as much experience as I could before I graduated with my Diploma in May 2017. During this journey I was asked to become the team massage therapist for a charity bike ride, ‘Ride As One’ from Melbourne to Adelaide. Raising money for the Leukaemia Foundation. It was 7 days and 1070kms. I was massage therapist for a team of 47 riders! An amazing opportunity and one which I gained invaluable experience. This has all eventuated with starting my own clinic, Seion Day Spa in September 2017 in Prospect, South Australia. Offering Remedial/Relaxation/Pregnancy/Infant Massage and Corporate Massage. Being a former Beauty Therapist I also offer extra add-on spa treatments. My clinic is very new, and already I am having a wonderful response and am thrilled with my new venture. This has been my goal from the beginning. I am so happy to have remained focused and never giving up.

What is the most notable or rewarding about your massage practice?

I have taken many opportunities to improve my skills and knowledge and this has given me countless rewarding moments during my massage journey. I truly have too many to mention! The daily satisfaction of knowing I have helped a client to reduce their pain, tension, or stress levels is so rewarding. It keeps me returning to my clinic wanting to give each client the best possible massage!

Do you have any tips for current/future students of massage?

Have an end goal, imagine yourself there. And then take small steps, one at a time to reach it. Remain committed and determined to continue with every step, no matter what life throws at you. Accept opportunities of volunteering when presented by Evolve. They will give you experience, allow you to grow as a therapist, become competent and confident. As will getting yourself into the industry and learning as much as you can. This will set you on the path of success!

Narelle is running her own successful clinic called Seion Massage. Click on the image here to check out her website and get in touch!