Today we’d like to introduce you to Bear Barnhart
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I came to massage therapy from the world of social work; while I loved being in the helping profession, I knew pretty quickly that I was supposed to be helping people heal in a different way. Watching my wife’s pregnancy inspired me to begin massage therapy; I opened my own office in summer of 2020 and have used my background in social work to incorporate trauma-informed care into my practice. Since then, simply by being a queer and non-binary practitioner, my work has revolved primarily around working with the queer community and offering bodywork to people who have largely not felt that type of care is accessible to them.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Two of my biggest hurdles were: I got my license in massage therapy the year before COVID hit, so I was beginning a brand new career and was really worried that the industry was not going to survive the pandemic. But we learned to massage while masking, and doing new, more rigorous cleanings to keep everyone safe, and the world spun on. The second hurdle was I moved from Cincinnati to Columbus, and had to build a brand new clientele. Massage therapy is largely a word-of-mouth business, so when you’re starting up in a new city you have to spend a lot of time and energy advertising and letting people know you exist!
We’ve been impressed with Affirmation Massage, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Affirmation Massage is a queer-owned, trauma-informed massage practice that provides tailored massage for every body that comes through the door. I began my career specializing in prenatal and postpartum clients, as there is always a huge need for practitioners with those specialties. However, as a queer clinician, I started noticing a shift in clientele: I started getting more and more queer clients on my table as I stepped further into my own queer, non-binary identity. The queer community is in desperate need of safe spaces to experience physical healing, without having to worry about how the practitioner feels about their gender identity or orientation. They can feel safe as they show up being fully themselves.
One of the services I provide is scar tissue remediation for any scar that a client would like to work on, including top surgery scars and cesarean scars. Also, since there is a large overlap between the queer community and neurodivergence, I work hard at meeting everyone’s specific sensory needs, as well.
Any big plans?
I plan to continue existing and offering safe, trauma-informed, affirming services to all. I’d love to see my business expand and offer more hours throughout the week, but in the meantime I’ll still be here, reminding my clients that they deserve to let their body feel like home.
Pricing:
- $90 for any 60 minute massage
- $120 for any 90 minute massage
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.affirmationmassage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affirmationmassage/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@affirmationmassage
