Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Skidmore.
Hi Natasha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2018, I established my first sports injury manual therapy business in Sacramento, California while also studying as a full-time student in community college. Working part-time at a sports injury clinic and commuting over three hours per day, six days a week to pursue my academic goals left me with little time for extra work, and expensive housing in Sacramento made it difficult to make ends meet. After my grades began to slip and my boss declined to give me a raise, I decided to take a leap of faith and quit my job to start my own business. Within a month, I opened my practice, and it became an immediate success, with a fully booked schedule for the rest of the semester.
In 2020, I received a full-tuition scholarship to study Human Biology at USC, which prompted me to sell my Sacramento practice and establish a new one in Los Angeles. Despite initial uncertainty, my practice grew as word spread, and I am currently booked out 6-8 months in advance. While currently attending UCLA’s graduate Master of Nursing program to become a Nurse Practitioner, my ultimate goal is to create a holistic medical clinic that incorporates bodywork and regenerative medicine techniques to help people suffering from chronic pain and injury.
Alright, 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?
Starting my own manual therapy practice has been a challenging journey without any financial support or mentorship. However, I have learned to adapt and create a successful business while teaching other therapists how to start their own practices. Despite the obstacles I have faced along the way, I am grateful for the experiences which have helped me grow both personally and professionally. When I first started my business, I had very little money to support myself. I resorted to couch-surfing and even sleeping in my car. Nevertheless, I remained confident in my ability to succeed, drawing on the resilience I developed growing up in an unstable environment. This resilience has been key in helping me navigate the ups and downs of running a business and overcoming the doubts and fears that naturally arise when starting something new.
Starting my practice in Los Angeles during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was another challenge, but it only strengthened my resolve. The streets were empty, and the building windows were boarded up on Beverly Blvd, but I persisted. I thought to myself, “If I can start a manual therapy practice during the worst time in history to start a manual therapy practice, I can do anything.” And I did just that!
Currently, I am facing my biggest challenge yet: managing my business while pursuing a Master’s of Nursing degree at UCLA. Trying to balance good grades, attending hospital clinicals, and running my business all at once has been incredibly difficult. There are days when I feel like giving up, but I remind myself of my goal to have a greater agency for my clients in the future. It is this goal that keeps me tunnel vision on finishing, despite the obstacles in my path.
I genuinely enjoy what I am learning in my program, but with the difficulty of the material, my job starts to feel like a hobby I absolutely love over something I dread going to every day. Through all these struggles that have tested my resiliency in a profession I love, I don’t think I would have the same amount of love and gratitude for myself and my business. I am grateful for the opportunity to help people and to be doing something that brings me joy and fulfillment.
All of these experiences have taught me the importance of having confidence in myself and my abilities, even in the face of uncertainty and doubt. They have also taught me the value of persistence, resilience, and the power of a positive mindset. I hope that my journey can inspire others who are facing their own challenges and give them the confidence to take risks and pursue their dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have built my business success around nurturing strong relationships with my clients. My passion for human connection and deep fascination with their stories has allowed me to establish a rapport that sets me apart. But it’s not just my ability to forge bonds that makes me effective; my extensive medical knowledge has also been instrumental in helping a wide range of people with chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions. From the outset, I focused on catering to those with poor mechanical posture resulting from their jobs and professional athletes who suffer from physical wear and tear. To do this, I completed a nine-year education, starting with massage school and expanding into advanced modalities such as Active Release Technique, Graston Technique, and cupping. As I expanded my knowledge, I pursued a degree in Human Biology at USC, and now I’m following my aspirations to become a Nurse Practitioner.
My willingness to try unconventional techniques sets me apart from other massage therapists, but ultimately, my goal is to alleviate the suffering of my clients through intuitive physical touch. This empathic connection enables me to provide effective treatments and guide people through their therapeutic recovery. I’ve been told that my intuition seems supernatural, but it’s simply a result of my dedication to the art of healing.
In the future, I aspire to open a holistic medical practice that incorporates regenerative medicine techniques and my own ability to diagnose conditions and prescribe medications. I believe it’s essential to provide people with pain relief options beyond surgical intervention.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about this city is the incredible diversity of experiences that it offers. Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures and neighborhoods, each with its own unique flavor and vibe. From the high energy of Downtown LA to the laid-back atmosphere of Venice Beach, there is truly something for everyone here. I also appreciate the city’s commitment to promoting equality and celebrating diversity in all its forms, particularly its strong LGBTQ+ community. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I am grateful for the abundance of outdoor activities available, such as hiking and camping. I also enjoy being part of the lively skateboarding community in Venice, where I can connect with like-minded individuals and make new friends. During my leisure time, I enjoy visiting the beach where I can unwind while watching the sunset and indulging in some Melt premium mushroom chocolates.
Being a passionate dancer, I love the city’s nightlife scene, particularly its venues that play funky disco or house music. My favorite places to go dancing are DayTrip LA, Creatington, Zebulon, and anything on the Resident Advisor app. What I cherish most about living in Los Angeles is the diverse group of people I have met while out dancing. I feel blessed to have found a supportive network of friends, from varying backgrounds, in such a short amount of time since moving here.
However, like any other city, Los Angeles also has its drawbacks. The traffic can be a major hassle and often leads to frustration, especially during rush hour. The cost of living is also high compared to other cities, making it difficult for some people to afford basic necessities. Additionally, the wealth gap in Los Angeles can contribute to a sense of social inequality and exclusion, with many people feeling left out of the opportunities and benefits that the city has to offer. Another major issue that affects many residents in Los Angeles is the lack of access to healthcare resources. This can be especially challenging for those who are low-income or uninsured, as they may struggle to get the care they need. As someone in the healthcare field, I have seen firsthand the impact that this can have on people’s lives, and I believe that more needs to be done to address this issue.
Despite these challenges, I still consider myself fortunate to call Los Angeles my home. There is so much to love about this city, from its vibrant culture to its beautiful natural landscapes. I believe that by working together to address the issues facing our city, we can create a better future for everyone who lives here.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.natashateresa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashafascia/?hl=en
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/natasha-teresa-cmt-los-angeles-3
Image Credits
Photo credit: Spencer Starnes
