Meet Kelly Galey | Thai Massage Therapist

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

Hi Kelly, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
It was during the Great Recession, and I had been working in printing for 20 something years and was long tired of the toxic work environment. In 2001 I watched on TV as people were jumping out of the World Trade Center. Watching at work in the customer lounge, and I realized that this work that I do is not important. I’m wasting my life away here. I saw a quote: “The purpose in life is to live a life of Purpose”.
I need a life of purpose. But I had no idea, I didn’t know what my purpose was.

In 2005, while training for the Ft Worth Marathon, I suddenly had no energy, my sense of balance was off, I had vertigo, numbness and tingling in my extremities. It turned out that I had something called Guillain Barre Syndrome. My immune system was killing my nervous system because it thought it was a virus. It took months to get a diagnosis.
The treatment was quick but the recovery was long. I did recover 100%, and when I did I was filled with what I call “survivors syndrome”. A renewed desire to help others. A purpose. But I didn’t know how.

Someone gave me a book, Anatomy of the Spirit, by Caroline Myss. There was a little prayer in that book. I prayed to The Universe to remove all obstacles that stood between myself and my path, whether they are people, a vocation, whatever. And that was the day I was laid off from work. That day.

I searched for work but felt sick every time I went to a printing company. I was an amateur athlete at the time and liked getting bodywork. So I checked out Kekino Massage School in Plano. And I left knowing that I had found my place.
I consulted the I Ching and the result was overwhelmingly positive, so I enrolled.

Before even graduating, I experienced Thai bodywork, and instantly knew that my people (athletes) were going to love it. I found a teacher and immediately after graduation I started taking classes from Chalida Pheerathoranis, who owned Dallas Thai Massage.

I knew I wanted to make a difference in peoples lives, I knew that I wanted control of my own destiny, and I found my purpose. Thai Massage.

It fell into place. It was a lot of hard work, but it fell into place. If I wasn’t working, I was networking. Leaving cards at salons. Doing free massage at gyms and events. Making a good functional website.

Words of advice to wannabe entrepreneurs. Work your butt off. Remember everyone’s name. Make them feel special, because they are. Be on time. Don’t procrastinate.
And don’t wait until the time is right, becaue the time will never be right. If you want to do it. Do it. Now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have a high regard for people who work hard, and for their struggle.

There is a Chinese saying that an Obstacle is really a Signpost, directing you to your path.

For me, on this path, everything has been incredibly easy. Everything from the first step of visiting the massage school, to finding the right work space, to getting clients, just fell into place. Time, money, everything was just enough, and right on time. It was like a miracle.
Which is at once a surprise, and I think proof that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing.

No obstacle, no signpost. I must be on the path.

I am CEO, The Talent, Accountant and Janitor.

Lets talk about The Talent.

What sets my business apart, is that what I produce is Art, and the human body is my canvas. It is a performance for an Audience of One. It is a synthesis of Healing Arts and Performance. It is a Poem, a Dance, a Meal, a Sculpture, a Song, a Perfume.
I am an Artist. My medium is Massage.

I treat this Art as Magic. I treat this Magic as Science. I treat this Science as Art.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would hope that my friend is visiting in October, so that we can go to the Great State Fair of Texas! We can ride the rides, or just watch the rides if you’re not into rides. We can check out the live music, the livestock, next years cars, and whatever crazy food that’s being served up!
If my friend is visiting on a Sunday, I would take him to the Thai Buddhist Temple. When you visit the Wat, it is almost like being in Thailand! And in my opinion, this is where you will find the best Thai food in Dallas.
Bishop Arts District is a great destination on any day. It’s easy to lose track of time, there are so many great shops and restaurants there.
Finally I would not let my friend leave without a meal at Kalachandjis. tucked inside the Krishna Temple in Old East Dallas. Easily the best vegan and vegetarian food in Dallas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My Shoutout has to go to Lucy Perez, who was my wife at the time when I was going to massage school and starting a business. I remember that I once expressed interest in going to culinary school, because I like working in a kitchen. She was very clear that no, that would not be a better work environment and that it was not the right thing for me to do.
But when I brought up the idea of becoming a massage therapist, she was immediately supportive and continued to be supportive of that.

Without her support and encouragement I never would have made it down this path.

Thank you.

Additional Shoutouts go to Caroline Myss, Team in Training, Trevor Marin, Lady of America Gym. Lisa Honescko. Nephyr Jacobson, Karen Sanzo.

Website: https://thai-sportmasssage.com/

Instagram: kellygaley_thaimassage_dallas

Image Credits
Lisa Honescko