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Opening a clinic takes courage. It also takes patience, vision, and a willingness to move forward even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.
In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I sit down with Nancy Kahl, RMT, owner of Align Massage Therapy Kanata, to talk about what it really looks like to step into clinic ownership.
Nancy’s path to this chapter was anything but linear. After graduating as a massage therapist in 2002, she stepped away from the profession and spent eight years working in mental health and recreational therapy, supporting individuals living with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Eventually, she returned to massage therapy with a deeper understanding of the nervous system, emotional labour, and the realities of caring professions.
Six months into opening her clinic, Nancy shares what she has learned about leadership, building a supportive workplace, navigating uncertainty, and creating a practice that feels meaningful for both clients and practitioners.
We also talk about something that many therapists experience but rarely name clearly: the mental load of practice and how it differs from physical fatigue.
This episode is an honest conversation about growth, resilience, and building something steady over time.
If you’ve ever thought about opening a clinic, returning to massage after time away, or designing a career that supports your life outside the treatment room, this episode will resonate deeply.
In this episode of The Radical Massage Therapist Podcast, I sit down with Nancy Kahl, RMT, owner of Align Massage Therapy Kanata, to talk about what it really looks like to step into clinic ownership.
Nancy’s path to this chapter was anything but linear. After graduating as a massage therapist in 2002, she stepped away from the profession and spent eight years working in mental health and recreational therapy, supporting individuals living with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, anxiety, and depression.
Eventually, she returned to massage therapy with a deeper understanding of the nervous system, emotional labour, and the realities of caring professions.
Six months into opening her clinic, Nancy shares what she has learned about leadership, building a supportive workplace, navigating uncertainty, and creating a practice that feels meaningful for both clients and practitioners.
We also talk about something that many therapists experience but rarely name clearly: the mental load of practice and how it differs from physical fatigue.
This episode is an honest conversation about growth, resilience, and building something steady over time.
If you’ve ever thought about opening a clinic, returning to massage after time away, or designing a career that supports your life outside the treatment room, this episode will resonate deeply.
This Episode is brought to you by Jane.app 💻 My favourite software for online booking and charting is Jane.app and now, The Radical Massage Therapist community can try Jane.app for 1 Month using Code: RADICALRMT1MO
I am presenting the competencies I met this summer for my internship. All while preparing for @cpa_powerlifting Centrals in Quebec City and y’know opening an @alignmassagetherapy clinic in Kanata. □□□□
Today’s presentation is brought you by middle aged fatigue and Tim’s □
@liftxbadgerxcycle
TAKEAWAYS
Build something that could survive if it started with only you. Nancy opened her clinic with a model that would work even if she remained the only therapist. Leadership is learned while you’re doing it. Clinic ownership grows through experience, reflection, and support. Mental load in massage therapy deserves attention. Decision-making, emotional labour, and holding space for clients require energy. Supportive environments matter. The culture of a clinic affects both therapists and clients. Sustainable careers grow from intentional choices. Massage therapy can support a meaningful life when we shape it thoughtfully. |
ABOUT
Nancy Kahl is a Registered Massage Therapist and clinic owner in Ottawa. With a background in mental health and a strong respect for the nervous system and movement, her work is grounded in lived experience as much as clinical practice. After stepping away from massage and later returning, she opened Align Massage Therapy Kanata with the intention of creating something steady, honest, and supportive for both clients and practitioners. Nancy cares deeply about meaningful care, sustainable work, and spaces that genuinely feel good to be in.
CONTACTInstagram @liftxbadgerxcycle
MENTIONEDAlign Massage Therapy Kanata
Recreational Therapy in mental health Mohawk College (guest lecturing experience) Sanford Fleming College (Massage Therapy program) “The Man in the Arena” poem by Theodore Roosevelt |
TRANSCRIPT
The Massage Therapist in the Arena: Courage and Clinic Ownership
* Transcripts are automatically generated and may not be word for word accurate.
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