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Six years ago, martial arts met massage therapy when Tiffany Duncan, a black belt in Taekwondo, decided to explore a new career path as a massage therapist at Swedish Institute.

Searching for a new career

Growing up in Queens, NY, Duncan thrived in science and math, but her passion was the Eastern martial art of Taekwondo. Duncan studied the art form for 10 years and earned her black belt at the age of 17. After high school, she attended college for a short time but knew she needed a new direction. She never thought that in a few years, she would be continuing her education with massage therapy.

Eastern training meets holistic career

They say, “Mother knows best.” In Duncan’s case, this notion rang true. “My mother convinced me I should pursue a career as a massage therapist,” Duncan explained. “She knew me better than I knew myself and said the physical practice of touch and hands-on application would be the perfect fit for me. She was right.” Duncan explained how the discipline and grounding principles of Taekwondo were in line with the muscular body mechanics needed to be an effective massage therapist. “I didn’t see myself working in this field,” Duncan said. “It was a leap of faith that continues to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.”

Her time at Swedish Institute

In 2012, Duncan enrolled in the Massage Therapy program at Swedish Institute. She excitedly embraced the program and said the in-depth curriculum gave her a fresh approach and perspective to holistic wellness. “The program prepares you with a solid foundation to build a successful career,” she said. During her time at Swedish Institute, Duncan gave birth to her daughter, Camille. She graduated one year later, in the fall of 2014.  She worked at a spa briefly until she discovered Zeel, an on-demand massage network where she’s worked for the past three years. “Working for Zeel has changed my life and the way I view the field of massage therapy,” Duncan said. She explains how working for Zeel allows her to make her own schedule and offers the perfect home/work balance. However, Duncan needed something to help her stand out, so she continued her massage therapy education.

Continuing education at Swedish Institute

Over the past three years, Duncan has conducted about 1,000 massage sessions with clients across the New York metropolitan area. After experiencing serving the many massage therapy needs of her clients, she realized she needed to up her game and expand her services. Last year, Duncan returned to Swedish Institute, enrolled in their Continuing Education program, and earned her prenatal massage certification. This past February, she graduated from Swedish Institute’s Yoga Teaching Training program as a certified yoga instructor. “The continuing education program covers a wide range of specialized areas in the field,” Duncan said. “It’s a great way to keep up with clients’ needs while nurturing our own education and skills.”

Expecting an exciting future

It’s no coincidence that Duncan is certified in prenatal massage. She is expecting her second child in December and couldn’t be more excited about her future. “Life brings us full circle,” she said. “My mom was there to guide me in my life and now my career as a massage therapist is helping me earn my way to support my growing family with the flexibility and job security I need to make it all happen.”

Are you thinking about pursuing a career as a Massage Therapist? Check out this page to learn more about Swedish Institute and our Massage Therapy program.