A few years ago, Brian Bonewitz was working in a high-stress information technology and human resources career. He had never had a massage. Fast forward to present day. Brian is now the proud owner of Stress Medics in Olathe, KS. The spa provides a full range of services including therapeutic massage, facials and body treatments, along with Reiki and guided-imagery massages.

How did Brian go from a high-stress employee to a certified Massage Therapist and owner of his own spa? One day his work became so stressful that he quit his job, went on a cruise and discovered how relaxed a spa and a good massage can make you feel. Shortly after his discovery, Brian enrolled at MTTI-Wellspring in the Massage Therapy Program.

 

“I chose MTTI after looking at several of the other massage schools because it had a more complete program, and the one thing that stood out during my visits was that the students all had smiles on their faces and looked happy,” he says. “At the other schools, the instructors weren’t friendly, and the students simply looked unhappy.” 

 

While enrolled at MTTI-Wellspring, Brian incurred another seemingly negative experience that turned positive. While away from the school one day, a brown recluse spider bit his leg. To treat the bite, Brian went to a Reiki healer who examined and healed the bite. After the experience, Brian decided to enroll in the Energy Program and become a Reiki Master himself. Reiki is an ancient healing art that helps keep the body’s energy in balance.

 

“Not only did [the instructors] know the material they were teaching inside and out, but most of them were still practicing, which kept them current instead of just standing up there and teaching old material like many of the other schools,” he says of his experience at MTTI-Wellspring. “I always felt welcomed at MTTI-Wellspring throughout my training and even today when I have gone up for one reason or another.”

 

After graduating from MTTI-Wellspring in 2005, Brian went on to complete esthetics training, along with advanced neuromuscular classes. He opened Stress Medics on June 1 of this year. The spa caters to clients with chronic pain, mobility and stress issues. 

 

“We also specialize in skin care problems and therapeutic body treatments,” he says of his spa. “What makes us different is that we take the time and listen to our clients’ needs and concerns and then select the appropriate treatment plan to help them feel better, reduce their pain medication and help them have a better quality of life. We don’t just massage them and send them out the door.”