When asked what led her to a career in massage, Kristen has trouble pinpointing an exact moment or time in her life. When she was younger, she was always massaging friends and family and spoiling them with gift vouchers at Christmas time!
After secondary school she worked in hospitality for a few years, spending several months in the alpine are of Falls Creek before moving to Melbourne. It did not take long before she was feeling unfulfilled in this industry and decided it was time to make a change, to do something meaningful, fun and long-lasting.
In what seemed like a sign from the universe she saw three advertisements in the same day for Open Days at a few natural therapy colleges and decided to go along to see if she could start on a new path (it turned out that it was mid-year intake for most colleges, so perhaps more of a coincidence than a sign!)
Three weeks later she began a certificate IV at Melbourne College of Natural Medicine and was working as a massage therapist within 6 months. No more hospitality!
Kristen worked for 2 years at a very busy clinic in St Kilda, before moving North-side and undertaking a Diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy at Melbourne Institute of Massage Therapy. During this time she also practiced in a multi modality clinic in Carlton. Kristen attended many workshops to expand her knowledge in areas such as cupping, myofascial release and Panabaa release.
As Kristen gained more and more experience, she felt the desire to branch out into independent practice. So in 2007 she began practicing at Five Elements. Over the years her client base has steadily grown, and she now works 4 days a week from the clinic.
Kristen also regularly provides massage for the students at Melbourne Business School, who are completing their senior executive MBA. She has previously worked at Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation (an organisation run by the Salvation Army for homeless men) providing massage for the residents and aged care clients.
Kristen is a keen traveler; frequently venturing overseas to satisfy her passion for good food and beautiful scenery to photograph. Her most recent adventure took her to Portugal, where she has discovered portuguese tarts (the real kind!) and incredible monasteries. In between trips she is in the kitchen baking….currently trying to create perfectly iced cookies and cupcakes.
