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In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I chat with Olivia Sadler, RMT—an educator, mobile massage therapist, and end-of-life care advocate. Olivia shares her powerful journey into palliative and hospice massage, how personal loss shaped her purpose, and what it truly means to show up for someone in their most vulnerable moments. This episode touches on boundaries, grief, ethics, emotional regulation, and redefining self-care—not just for clients, but for massage therapists too.
Whether you're curious about compassionate touch, hospice work, or building a more sustainable practice, this conversation will leave you moved, inspired, and radically reconnected to your purpose.
TAKEAWAYS​
  • Massage is valuable at all life stages, especially at the end, when comfort and connection are essential.
  • Olivia stresses the importance of slowing down, honoring emotional needs, and giving yourself permission to “just be” with a client.
  • Boundaries are crucial, but they don’t have to mean coldness. Olivia models how to lead with compassion and structure.
  • Self-care for therapists isn't optional—it's mandatory if you want to do this work long-term without resentment or burnout.
  • There’s a growing interest in palliative massage education, and Olivia’s workshop, Compassionate Touch is creating safe spaces for RMTs to learn, reflect, and grow. 
ABOUT
​Olivia Sadler is a dedicated Registered Massage Therapist with a profound passion for palliative and end-of-life care. Happily married and a proud mother of two daughters, Olivia has spent much of her life along the serene shores of Lake Huron, where her journey into compassionate touch began. After the loss of a beloved uncle in 2009, Olivia was deeply moved to explore how therapeutic touch could offer comfort, dignity, and connection at the end of life.

With a career grounded in both clinical skill and heartfelt presence, Olivia has pursued extensive training in a variety of complementary modalities, including Acupressure, Mipawork, TENS/IFC & Ultrasound Therapy, The Power of Touch Palliative Massage, Chi Nei Tsang Abdominal Massage, Table Thai Massage, and Massage for the Late Effects of Cancer. She has also taken workshops in Birth Doula as well as gaining an End-of-Life Doula Certificate from University of Vermont, and has completed hospice volunteer training.

Olivia currently works part-time at her local hospice, where she brings compassionate, tailored care to individuals and families navigating life’s final chapter. She is the creator and instructor of the Compassionate Touch Massage Therapy Workshop for End-of-Life, a course designed to support fellow therapists in offering meaningful care during the most vulnerable times. Her expertise has led her to present at the Canadian Massage Conference and speak internationally on the importance of touch in palliative care.

​At the heart of Olivia’s work is a deep belief that touch is essential to human connection and healing. While she values therapeutic touch for people at all stages of life, her true calling lies in supporting those at the end of theirs—with gentleness, respect, and compassion. 

​CONTACT

TRANSCRIPT
​EPISODE #128 Compassionate Touch: Massage Therapy At The End Of Life
* Transcripts are automatically generated and may not be word for word accurate. 

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