Meet Brigitte Rawlings from Integrative BodyWork

LM: Where did your journey begin, both personally and professionally? Can you share a bit about your background and early influences that shaped who you are today?

BR: I grew up in a small rural town in Southern Maryland, USA, with my parents and 3 siblings (I am the middle of the girls). Always curious about a different way of doing things, I didn’t fit into the typical box of those around me, but I didn’t follow that path when I was younger. I played it safe, did what I was told and what I thought I was ‘supposed’ to do based on my surroundings.

It wasn’t until after high school that I was able to explore more. I went to a community college and got my Associates Degree in Accounting and took some classes at a university but never finished because I didn’t feel my heart was in it.

Working and paying for college was too much of a challenge, and I later beat myself up for not finishing. I worked in the corporate world for many years doing bookkeeping and accounting and was committed to doing my best and was promoted many times based on my performance. In my last corporate job, where I was a manager, I was made redundant because the company was reorganizing.

To be honest, I wasn’t a great manager because I wanted to do the work rather than delegate and come up with ideas to make things better. My heart just wasn’t in it. I knew at the time that I didn’t want to be in a 9 to 5 job, but I didn’t quite know what the alternative would be. One day I was massaging a colleague’s neck and shoulders because he had a headache and he noticed that he felt much better afterwards and he said I should be a “masseuse” (the most common word for a massage therapist at that time).

This experience sparked my interest, so I looked for a school that had an introductory course that appealed to me. Four weeks later I was excited to start my new training. Most people didn’t think it was a good idea, but I trusted myself and went for it anyway. That was 24 years ago.

Going to massage school was the beginning of my awareness of how the body holds information and how you can make a difference to someone’s life by helping them to relax and release tension.

LM: Was there a specific moment or event in your life that inspired you to embark on a different path and start your Integrative Bodywork and Coaching business? What motivated you to seek something different?

BR: I had been working as a massage therapist in various spas for about 7 years when I decided I wanted more flexibility in my schedule. So I started renting space in a wellness centre.

After 13 years of running a successful practice with a large and steady clientele, it became comfortable and familiar, but it was pretty much the same thing day in and day out. Little things changed over the years with the way things were run and structured at the Wellness Centre that didn’t resonate with me anymore. I’m not one to change things too often, so I stayed for a couple of years or more, knowing that I needed to do something different to feel fulfilled.

I knew I wanted more and needed to step out of my comfort zone to grow as a person. Every now and then I would look for a place to rent so I could go out on my own. One day I saw the perfect place online and said “Yes, it’s time to do this” and I didn’t question myself.

LM: Along your journey, who were the mentors or figures that played a significant role in shaping your new direction? How did they influence your choices?

BR: The first person that comes to mind is Tori Paide, acupuncturist and owner of The Still Point. It was at her wellness centre that I first became a renter. That’s when I realized that I was taking on more responsibility and had to think more like a business owner. I had to pay the rent, no matter how many clients I had, which meant I had to show up differently and not expect for someone to define my success. Up until then, I was thinking of massage as a job, so I learned that it was up to me to make it work and not someone else’s responsibility- which was a mindset shift for me.

LM: What were some of the obstacles or setbacks you encountered along the way, and how did they contribute to your growth and understanding of yourself?

BR: The fear of going out on your own and leasing a space. It’s one thing to rent from someone who holds the lease, because there’s less risk. All I had to do was pretty much show up, see clients, and leave.

At first I had some doubts about having enough clients to sustain a business, but things were going well, and then 2020 happened.

Of course I panicked when things shut down, but I knew that so many people were in the same position I was in and that it would all work out in the end.

During that time I was in a coaching program which was great to help me process how I was feeling about everything.

LM: Was there a moment when you felt like you had hit rock bottom or were facing a major turning point? How did you get through it, and what did you learn about yourself during those challenging times?

BR: In 2020, when things slowed down and I couldn’t afford the rent for my office and at one point I thought I would have to close down. But I knew I had other skills to do other work if I had to. I was able to get grants to pay the rent while I was closed, which was really a blessing. I learned that I’m resilient and can get through tough times and that I can reach out and ask for help. I started to trust more.

LM: Can you identify a specific moment or realization that led you to discover your true passion or purpose? How did this revelation change your outlook on life and guide your subsequent decision?

BR: As a massage therapist for so long, I noticed the impact massage had on my clients and the emotions that could be released during sessions. I knew I wanted to help people on a deeper level so that it wasn’t just a temporary “fix” to make them feel better.

By being curious about how I could help them on a deeper level, I discovered coaching. Through this process, I was led to it not for my clients, but for myself. I needed to do the work to connect more with myself and my feelings.

It all starts with us, so I did a lot of inner work. That led me to wanting to help people in this way. To help them tap into the wisdom of their body and know that they have the answers within themselves and that the pain and symptoms are messages for them to notice and be guided to what is best for them.

LM: How have you evolved personally and professionally since discovering your purpose (or since you decided to start your coaching practice)? What transformations did you undergo, and how did they contribute to your overall well-being and happiness?

BR: I’m consciously stepping out of my comfort zone, embodying my vision, have more confidence and know that I can make a difference on a larger scale. I have a bigger vision for myself and I want to make a bigger impact on the world one person at a time because it has a ripple effect. I know it starts with me and that can directly impact the people around me. I am the designer and creator of my reality.

LM: Building a support network is critical to any journey. Who were the allies or collaborators who joined you on your journey, and how did their presence contribute to the fulfillment of your purpose?

BR: This was definitely a challenge for me because I always thought I could do it on my own and rarely asked for help. I now realize that working with others can have a greater impact and reach a larger number of people. I am now seeking out other like-minded wellness professionals and attending more networking opportunities. I also talk more about what I do because you never know who might need your help.

LM: Now that you’ve found your purpose, how does it align with your idea of bliss or fulfillment? Can you share moments or experiences that epitomize the joy and contentment you derive from living a purpose-driven life? 

BR: I’m doing what I love, I’m being open and curious, and I’m not working hard and forcing things to happen. My purpose guides me to the next step and it is up to me to take aligned action. Things flow with more ease and when challenges arise, I’m able to see them for what they are and learn and grow from them. There’s no more constant worry about what’s next. This new perspective creates peace for me that is blissful and fulfilling.

LM: As your journey continues, what are the next steps or aspirations you have in mind? How do you envision the ongoing evolution of your personal and professional pursuits?

BR: Honestly, I’m not sure what the next steps are, I’m allowing things to unfold and being open to possibilities. I am striving to have local and international retreats where people can come and just be and connect with their bodies and notice what is showing up for them that needs attention so they can be guided by their inner wisdom.