Today we’d like to introduce you to Phillip McCoy.
Hi Phillip, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
A native French speaker grew up and lived in Europe (France, The Netherlands, Switzerland) and Africa (Cameroon, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Gabon) and traveled in Asia (South Korea and Vietnam) and Latin America (Costa Rica and Mexico).
I was in the Army for a few years working in military intelligence. The last duty station in my Army service was Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, AZ.
I remained in Arizona, earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and worked as both a government contractor and eventually a federal civilian employee before I was ready for a change.
I’m always looking to better myself and wanted to find a new goal less predictable than a Ph.D. I was debating between culinary arts or massage. I picked massage therapy, and, to my surprise, my little brother said, ‘It’s about time!’ He told me that massage therapy was something I always talked about when we were kids. It surprised me, but it felt right.”
I am a well-rounded Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) that graduated at the top of my class from Cortiva Institute’s 750 hours therapeutic massage program and have experience in a wide range of healing modalities.
I am a Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist from the MLD Institute International, and my massage modalities which include Connective Tissue massage, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Myofascial release, Trigger point therapy, MLD, REIKI, Muscle Energy Techniques, medical massage, and Craniosacral Therapy, are easily blended into my sessions.
I have provided sports massage & other massage modalities to college & professional athletes, International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) & fitness professionals for plastic surgery patients pre/post-surgery, children, special populations, and celebrities.
I bring relief, energy, relaxation, and healing to all of my clients. Whether they live an active lifestyle & are looking for help with chronic pain, injury prevention, or are just hoping to relax…
Civilian Education
* Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), 2010
* Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education (B.S.), 2008
Certifications/ training
– Thai Yoga Bodywork Level 1 & 2, Devanadi Yoga, 2022
* 200 hr Yoga Teacher Certification (YTT) RYT200, 2021
* Connective Tissue Massage (CTM1 & 2)
* Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), MLD Institute International, 2018
* REIKI level 2, Center for Advanced Energy Therapeutics, 2016
* Craniosacral Therapy level 1 (CS1), The Upledger Institute International, 2015
* 750 hrs Therapeutic Massage Program Certification, Cortiva Institute, 2015
* REIKI level 1, Center for Advanced Energy Therapeutics, 2015
I am licensed in the state of AZ and CA. I come to LA areas to take care of clients and continue to expand my clientele one weekend a month usually Friday-Monday.
The LA clientele started a couple of years back. Around 2020/2021. I sent a few emails to Instagram influencers and let them know that I was going to be in LA for a weekend. I told them their session would be free, and if they liked it, all they had to do was post a story on their Instagram. Many didn’t respond, some said no. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but the few that responded were happy with the work and posted on their stories. After that, I was so busy I had to come back to LA every other weekend.
This, unfortunately, slowed down a bit when my office job in Tucson AZ started picking back up again (COVID times). So I was only coming to LA one weekend a month.
After that, I started to phase out of my gvt job in order to pursue massage therapy as a full-time occupation. This forced me to take a break (9 months) from LA in order to set everything up in Tucson, AZ. I started coming back once a month to LA again as of November 2022. Even though it had been a long break, the majority of my clients weren’t too mad at me and still book with me to this day.
My goal is to continue to grow my business in the LA area. Maybe eventually have my own studio here as well someday.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. There were some challenges.
I used to drive to LA. 7hrs each way from Tucson, AZ. I had my table with me and everything I needed in my car. I would also have to have an Airbnb with a washer and dryer in order to keep all the sheets I have with me clean and ready.
Since November 2022 I fly to LA now. I grab a rental car when I land, and all my stuff is here at a friend’s house.
Being from a different state and being able to have clients here in LA was difficult. I really had to rely on my skills as a massage therapist to make sure that once I worked on someone, they wouldn’t want anyone else.
Adding to that, I am a male in the massage world, and just like they told us in massage school, most people will probably feel more comfortable having a female work on them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What sets me apart from other massage therapists is the way I go through my sessions.
I’ve had a lot of training and certifications, as well as different types of individuals to work on. From cancer patients and children with cerebral palsy to athletes and celebrities and regular day-to-day individuals.
I blend all of these things together and create a session for every client that is “unreal”. I use a lot of intuition as well, and my clients never feel like they are just a number.
Saying that I just specialize in deep tissue, Lymphatic massage, or energy work would be taking away from the whole experience. My approach is multifaceted.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
No matter what, follow your gut. I don’t usually follow the crowd in general, so I am the same when it comes to my bodywork/massage sessions.
Pricing:
- Still in the works but right now for LA, I charge $115 for 60min, $165 for 90min, $215 for 2hrs.
Contact Info:
- Website: mccoymassagebodywork.com
- Instagram: I’m on Instagram as it_is_mccoy
- Other: (520) 234-2579
