Sarah Watson - Healing Medical & Therapuetic Massage

Sarah Watson

By Terry L. Watson

Photos Provided by Sarah Watson

“I am just a girl from Wyandotte County, also known as Kansas City, Kansas.” That is how Sarah Watson describes herself.

Growing up, Sarah shares how she always desired to become the CEO of a prestigious company, though she admits she never dreamed that it would be her own. Well, that proves that we never really know what life has in store for us.

Today, Sarah owns Healing Medical & Therapeutic Massage, based in Lenexa, KS. Her company offers various services designed to strengthen the health of her patients by customizing treatment sessions to fit each individual’s needs. Sarah adds her products are made with all-natural ingredients and provide temporary relief from minor aches and pains. There are plans to expand into other areas in the future.

Sarah graduated from Washington High School and later attended massage school. “I never thought about becoming a massage therapist until a family member suggested we enroll together. I knew I wanted to do something with my life, and becoming CEO of somebody else’s company was going to be easier said than done, so I went back to school,” she says. After graduating from Heritage Massage School in 2005, she had her first and only child in December 2006. She says it was a struggle being a single mom while trying to build her business. “But God,” she says. She graduated from massage school in 2005 but returned to the corporate world soon after. “I felt a void; something was missing. I knew that healing was my passion and calling, and I couldn’t help people the way my heart desired,” she says. In 2009, Sarah decided to enhance her status and become nationally certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Three years later, in August 2012, she decided to step out on faith and open Healing Medical & Therapeutic Massage.

Life began to move along for Sarah. In 2015, she began to date her husband before marrying him in 2017. “It’s funny how God reveals things to you in due time; His time. My husband and I have known each other for the majority of our lives. We even lived next door to each other, but I never looked at him as anything more than a friend. Then one day, we saw each other out and decided to exchange numbers, and the rest is history,” she says.

During the Covid 19 pandemic, Sarah decided to put her knowledge to the test. By doing so, she gained the certification of Medical Massage Therapist (MMT). That move changed the trajectory of her life, and as of today, she has been working full-time for herself for nearly ten years.

Sarah says what inspires her the most is seeing other black women entrepreneurs succeeding and being professional businesswomen. It allows her to recognize that faith without work is dead, and she firmly believes that if they can do it, she can too. “It’s not about being popular; it’s about being successful,” she confesses.

She also shares how she loves being able to offer relief to individuals who are suffering from muscle pain due to post-op surgery, an illness, or car accidents. “It’s exciting to see their health progress and feel and do better as a result of coming to Healing Medical and Therapeutic Massage.”

Most businesses will face challenges at some point, and for Sarah, there is no exception. For her, she says it is not being recognized by medical insurance companies. “I believe if insurance companies covered medical massages, a lot more people would be able to invest in their health through the healing art of massage.”

Sarah credits Jesus Christ and her husband for being constant sources of inspiration. “All glory and honor goes to God. This business journey was and is His provision, and I’m just the vessel. I say that because He always directs my steps, and when I get off course, He guides me back to where I’m supposed to be. God helps me not only in a business aspect but in every area of my life. My husband James is my number one supporter and fan. He encourages and prays for me when I can’t do it for myself,” she says.

In the future, Sarah shares that Healing Medical & Therapeutic Massage will expand. Currently, she is looking for candidates who recently graduated from massage school and are interested in medical massage careers. Ultimately, Sarah shares that her goal is to teach other massage therapists how to heal others through massage effectively. “I know as long as I continue to trust and abide in God, He will continue to give me the desires of my heart that’ll be more than what I could ever ask or think,” she says.