Meet Lyndzey Dare | Licensed Massage Therapist and Fitness Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lyndzey Dare and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lyndzey, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work life balance is possibly the most challenging concept that I constantly have to think about. I am a workaholic. I love what I do, and I love where my business is going, so it’s hard to stop thinking about work. Even before I was a business owner, I had multiple jobs and only prioritized working out and eating well. One of my best friends would come over and help me meal prep just so that she could spend time with me. Everything changed when I started dating my husband. He had two young children and lived an hour from me. After a few months of dating, we decided I would move in with him once my lease was over. I spent a full year trying to come to terms with not being able to work all the time. When I moved, I became a stay-at-home mom and had one small part-time coaching job. While I viewed taking care of the children and home as a full-time job, I knew that that would be over the following year. As both boys went to school, I found myself unfulfilled. The house was clean, dishes and laundry were completed, but it didn’t make my soul happy. I had to find ONE job I loved. Now that I run my own business, I still must be extremely conscious of my time. I have to schedule absolutely everything, even date night. Time blocking is the only way I have found to preserve family time while still working. I’ve also come to realize I need to strive to live in a work life harmony rather than balance. Balance suggests that everything is constantly equal. Harmony allows for the ebbs and flows of life to happen. When I know that I am going to have a couple of busy weeks at work, I then schedule a family event afterwards. The seasons of life are always changing, and I need to be able to roll with the punches while prioritizing my family, my health, and my business.Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I did everything society said I should do. I went to college early, graduated from a great school, and then worked profusely. At one point I had five jobs — one full-time job in a lab and four part-time jobs coaching. While I enjoyed my position in the lab, I didn’t want to further myself and advance in that field. All I wanted to do was coach and learn about the human body. I had to let go of the societal norms and learn to do what made my soul happy. I bounced around from job to job looking for just that. It wasn’t until I went to a bodyworker for my own self-care that I discovered my dream job. From my first visit, I was right at home in her beach-themed office, and afterwards, my performance during my training felt spot on. Until I had met her, I had dealt with a variety of long-term injuries without experiencing much satisfaction during my recovery. From then on, I knew that I wanted to help everyone feel how I felt after leaving her office. I knew I wanted the same job as her, but I wasn’t even sure where to start. I kept exploring options and talking to people about their experiences. The best advice I give to anyone searching for their ideal career is to shadow people and be inquisitive. Hearing someone else’s story can inspire you and teach you about what direction to go. I am so thankful that I waited until I knew the right steps to take before I moved forward. When I think about the mission of my business, I want people to know that I am here to use all of my knowledge to help them. I will listen, evaluate, and treat. I sought out treatment from numerous bodywork professionals that treated me like a number. There is no “one-size-fits-all” to your body, and the treatment that you receive should be customized accordingly. Seeing a professional that views clients as individuals is the key to success.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The World of Coca-Cola and the Georgia Aquarium are must-sees for those visiting the Atlanta area. For a visitor who loves a unique experience, Hotel Clermont has you covered. It offers a one-of-a-kind dive bar experience with a beautiful city view at the rooftop bar. Dancing the night away is my favorite way to celebrate, so MJQ on a Saturday would definitely be on our list! MJQ is a cash-only underground bar where worries fade away. After an evening of dancing and drinks, breakfast at Gladys Knight Chicken and Waffles is a must. For daytime festivities, I love a good hike. North Georgia is filled with trails including some that are along the Appalachian Trail. The hike to Blood Mountain has some pretty steep elevations, but the view is worth it. If my guest loves coffee and also happens to love soup, Whole Being Café in Flowery Branch is where it’s at! While I’m on vacation, I like to be pampered, so I would also take my guest to the Rusted Daisy Salon and Boutique. It elevates self-care to a whole new level with adorable farmhouse décor, the cutest shampoo room, and even a boutique with unique items.Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I have to give credit to my husband for his blind faith in me. There are times that his support for me comes so naturally that I almost take it for granted. When I told him I wanted to go to massage school and that I would somehow find the money to go, he didn’t even seem concerned. He told me, “I have faith in you because I know what you can do and that you’ll always get what you want.” This also happened when I opened my studio. He is always my number one cheerleader and sometimes knows me better than I know myself. My mentor Dr. Camden Clay has always seen more in me than I have ever seen in myself. I went to his apprenticeship program as a muscle testing volunteer and left as his quickest graduate. I have utilized his life’s work with many clients, and it has shaped the direction of my business. I cannot thank him enough for believing in me, even when I wasn’t ready for the steps he had in store for me. Once I officially made the decision to open my studio, I needed help getting my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. Toby Bloomberg is like an aunt to me, and she laid the groundwork for the digital portion of my business. I didn’t understand the purpose of social media in a business like mine, and she explained why certain parts of my story were important. Thanks to what an amazing job she did, Heather Collier found me. She started as a client, became my photo and website guru, and turned into a friend. Heather always sees the absolute best in me and that came out on my website. I can’t thank these ladies enough for helping me present myself to the world. Obviously I need to thank my parents for giving birth to me, putting up with me and my mouth as a teenager, but most importantly pushing me to pursue my dreams. They have always put a lot of emphasis on my excellence in school and my understanding of how the world works. I see things differently because my parents have always shown me multiple sides to every situation. I have grown into the person I am because I strive to improve upon the success they set up for me.

Website: https://www.encouragewellnessandperformance.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dare_to_express_yourself/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyndzey.dare

Image Credits
Applehead Photography and Design