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MaKami College Open House Saturday June 8!

Glenda – Pursuing Her Passion at 68

In November 2019, Glenda was a 68-year-old retired teacher spending some quality time with her 11-year-old granddaughter at Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre.

“We would roam the mall a lot,” she says. “One day she brought me to entrance of MaKami and was telling me about the school’s massage therapy program. I tried to tell her I was retired, but she dragged me into the school store and we bought some oils and as we were leaving she made me promise her I would take the course.”

Glenda told her she would think about it – and she did. “I didn’t tell anyone but the idea was stuck in my head,” she admits. “So I made an appointment to take a tour.”

When she met with Barinder, one of the Student Advisors, she knew she had made the right decision. “She explained the program to me and the whole time there was a nudging inside me telling me I should take the course. I even became a bit emotional and there was a time where I became so emotional a tear ran down my face.”

Glenda decided to enrol in the school’s Advanced Clinical Massage Therapy program and started in January of 2020, just before the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. While Glenda’s first few months consistent of regular, in-class training, March of 2020 brought about abrupt changes for everyone, including the massage therapy students at MaKami College.

A large portion of Glenda’s class ended up being mostly online, while MaKami tried its best to provide hands-on training in a safe, Covid-friendly manner.

Despite those challenges, Glenda kept pursuing her goal. She says she stayed on task through reading daily, watching the provided videos over and over, printing the materials from her online curriculum for highlighting, using flashcards, and practicing on her grandchildren.

“I cannot say enough about the level of detail and trust and understanding we have received from our instructors as well,” Glenda says. “I’m in awe of everybody that has supported us, especially through the time of the pandemic.”

Currently in her second year, Glenda says she has no regrets and looks forward to giving back. “Life is too short and the world is in such turmoil and sadness we need more lightness, happiness laughter,” she says. “I want to be a part of that.”

For anyone thinking about becoming a massage therapist at any age, Glenda says it’s a wonderful course.

“You will be accepted with open arms, you will be supported day in and day out. But you have to believe in yourself. Put in the work and effort, trust your abilities and there is no limit to being successful.”

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