Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Stoneback.
Hi Samantha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Just days before moving from Austin to Ann Arbor, MI to pursue a Masters in Social Work, I canceled all of my plans and decided to stay here in Austin. Once I settled back into life here, I had a slight moment of panic, realizing without an MSW it would be best to find a new career path. At my next massage, I asked my massage therapist if she enjoyed what she did, and what it took to become licensed. She absolutely loved her job and recommended I go tour one of the local schools. So that is exactly what I did; the moment I walked through the doors of Lauterstein Conway Massage School I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be and enrolled the next day. I started the program in January of 2020, it wasn’t long before the school closed due to Covid and I watched the massage industry shut down, and the social work field explode. Once again, panic ensue, what did I do?! But I followed my intuition and had trust that I was on my correct path. When the school reopened in June only 5 of the original 30 students returned, it turned out to be one of the most healing experiences I have ever endured. With such a small class size we were able to witness the healing and change that we were conducting in each other’s bodies through our massage practice, and have a much deeper dive into the curriculum. After graduation I immediately opened my own practice, Stoneback Massage Therapy. I couldn’t be happier; I am one of the lucky ones who love what they do. Along my journey I stumbled upon Thai Massage and knew it was the direction I wanted to take my practice. I had been dealing with a 15+ year old ankle injury that effected my entire lower leg; it took ONE move in Thai massage to drastically provide relief! After that, I was hooked and registered for a 6-month apprenticeship with Kristen Lumsden and Robert Gardner. Thai massage takes a holistic approach to healing, addressing both physical and energetic imbalances in the body. This can help to not only relieve pain but also promote overall well-being and balance. This work is mat based and fully clothed. The client lays on a mat below my suspension where I can add or remove pressure as I am giving you double footed compression. This style of work provides the deepest pressure in a way that is the easiest to receive. Utilizing my knees and feet provides a larger surface area compared to my elbows and fingers, allowing the nervous system to relax, receive and let go. This work incorporates myofascial release, deep compression, stretching, active release, pin and stretch release and more. Thai Massage has changed my life as both a receiver and provider!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Professionally, yes. It has been a very easy and smooth road, which I have taken as a sign that I am in alignment, I am doing what I am meant to do. Each step of my journey has been presented to me in all the right moments. Personally, much more of a bumpy road. Being in alignment feels incredible, but also allows the space for our darker shadows to arise. Over the past 5 years I have evolved in ways I didn’t know were necessary, but this healing has provided me the experience to be a more versed therapist and I am very grateful for everything I have been through.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I was getting my business started, it seemed near impossible to come up with a business name, it felt too important, nothing sounded good enough. But once again, there I was in alignment, I was created for this, my last name is Stoneback! A name that seemed meant to be for a massage therapist, so I didn’t look any further, and Stoneback Massage Therapy was created. I specialize in pain relief and injury rehabilitation, and my style of work is as strong as my last name. I typically warn my clients that I am heavy handed, but we will work together through breath and finding that edge to obtain release and relief. I grew up playing sports from age 5 through college, so I experienced my fair share of injuries. Some of which I thought were going to be symptomatic for the rest of my life. But once I was in massage school, obtained a better understanding of the body, and received regular body work I was able to heal decade old injuries! This was life changing and it deeply excited me to be able to do this for others! After completing massage school, I was still eager to learn more about the body and how to provide a more comprehensive treatment for my clientele. A few months later I was enrolled at Texas Health and Science University to study Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. This program was by far the most difficult thing I have ever done, but so rewarding. I recently graduated this past April and am currently working on my board exams, once those are completed, I will be implementing Acupuncture and Herbs into my business.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I am currently in the progression of expanding my work from Austin into Bastrop. I have resided in Austin since 2017 and started by business in 2021. I never imagined to still be here, being that before Austin I moved every 2-3 years. But Austin has yet to show me any reason to leave and I have only continued to grow deeper and deeper roots. I enjoy how green Austin is, being a native Oregonian, being able to enjoy the outdoors is important to me! One of my favorite things is spending the day kayaking on the river, jumping in at Barton Springs, and finishing with the bats during sunset! I really can’t come up with anything that I don’t like about the city, I know a lot of people complain about the traffic, but having moved here from Philadelphia it’s not too bad, traffic is just part of life in a city. I became a homeowner in Bastrop in 2023, so I have quickly grown accustom to a slower pace of life. This month I started working here locally doing massage with Admiring You Wellness. I truly adore the lovely ladies that I work with; it is a breath of fresh air to be around like-minded people after being a solo practitioner for years. Bastrop has welcomed me with warm, open arms and I am very excited for what the future holds in both Austin and Bastrop!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stonebackmassage.com
- Instagram: @stonebackmassage
Image Credits
@lanamaren.photography
@breathewithmichella
