MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: CHRISTINE GONZALEZ

Could you tell us who you are and what it is that you do?

My name is Christine Gonzalez and I am a licensed massage therapist focused on pain relief using deep tissue and trigger point therapy. I opened my business here at Studio IX in September after studying massage in Costa Rica last year and working with a local chiropractor.

What do you love about the work?

I love helping people tune into their body and assisting with relieving their pain. I love facilitating healing for the people who show up on my table. I see this as a co-creation between the two of us. The client brings their subjective experience and their pain story to the table and I meet them where they are at with knowledge of the body and wellness+ healing practices. Seeing someone achieve greater mobility after a session or feel more at peace in their body is the most rewarding thing I’ve experienced in my career.

How did you arrive at this point in your career? What’s your backstory?

I worked in IT related roles starting in 2006 and recently decided to pivot to work that I’ve had in my mind and on my heart since I was a kid. During my childhood I had a skiing accident and several car accidents that left me in constant pain. Massage and PT were the only ways I could get relief, and inspired me to pursue Physical Therapy as a career in college. Life took a few turns since then and I ended up in more business focused roles after getting a degree in Sociology many years later.

While working here at Studio IX during COVID as an IT consultant I was simultaneously doing spiritual work with a coach who helped me start the process to uncover what I might want to pursue as a next step in my life and career. When I was laid off in March of 2024 it came at the exact right time and launched me into a self discovery process that landed me at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy for a transformative five months.

Has there been a light switch moment, a turning point (or two), professionally &/or personally along the way?

I remember when my son was around ten years old and he matter-of-factly stated that “my Mom hates her job”. Hearing him say this out loud with such confidence forced me to take a look at where I was at and reevaluate whether I was ok living this way for the remainder of my working life. Since then it has been a pivot, sometimes slow and methodical at times, sometimes dramatic and drastic.

Who or what has been your greatest influence?

I remember when my Mom decided to suddenly close her real estate business in her 40s to become a minister in the United Church of Canada and how I couldn’t understand or relate to what she was going through. Having her as a role model in this way was a powerful example to do what you love and follow your intuition/gut/god.

What are you currently working on, excited about, looking forward to?

I’m looking forward to amplifying the creative part of the Massage / Creative studio concept I am setting up where there will be the option of a TBD “Behind the Curtain” experience with options for integrating spiritual healing and more woo-woo type offerings such as guided meditations and inner-child healing resources.

Anything we missed that you might care to share (closing thoughts)?

I would like to share my love and appreciation for Studio IX and the people who are associated with this amazing space - it has been a place of healing and a home when I really needed it these last couple years. Coming back here and working in the exact same office where I worked as an IT consultant has provided a powerful full circle moment, and I have so much gratitude to be at this place in my life. I’m excited to grow my business here and continue nurturing my personal and professional growth while also contributing to the community as a whole.