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LOCAL STORIES
giovedì 23 ottobre 2025
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She Lost Herself in Burnout—Then Found Her Purpose in Helping Others Heal
What began as Michelle’s personal search for relief became Revive and Restore Therapeutic Massage, where every session is a blend of empathy, precision, and empowerment.
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giovedì 23 ottobre 2025
Ignite Business Insider shares the stories of businesses that are making an impact in their local markets. We highlight their stories in order to inspire entrepreneurial growth and to let readers learn more about businesses across the world that are growing and scaling.
Featuring
Michelle Litterio
Licensed Massage Therapist
Revive and Restore Therapeutic Massage
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Thank you for taking the time to sit with us and share your story. Can you share a little bit about you and your company?
Thank you so much for the opportunity! My name is Michelle, and I founded Revive and Restore Therapeutic Massage to help people feel their best—physically, mentally, and emotionally. After spending 15 years in Human Resources and office administration, I saw firsthand how long hours at a desk can take a toll on the body. Even at my most active, sitting all day left me feeling drained and stiff.
The challenges of the 2020 pandemic and my own mental health journey inspired me to pursue my meaningful path in holistic wellness. Massage therapy drew me in as it offered a way to help others heal through touch, beyond what words can offer. Returning to school reignited my passion for anatomy, especially as I connected what I learned to the very desk-related discomfort I had experienced myself.
At Revive and Restore, I blend clinical precision with the calming flow of Swedish massage. I specialize in myofascial work, positional release, myoskeletal techniques, and stretching, customizing every session to meet each client’s needs. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic tension, or simply seeking rest, I provide a safe, supportive space for healing.
My work is about more than massage—it's about connection, care, and empowering people to feel whole again.
A question so many people are interested in, is how you got started. Can you share a little bit about what you were doing before this, and what that moment was like for you when you decided to start this new journey?
Before I became a Licensed Massage Therapist, I worked as a Human Resources Generalist for a truck manufacturing company. I enjoyed the fast-paced and problem solving nature of the job, but had always felt like I had more to offer.
My first turning point came in the spring of 2021. As the job market began to stabilize after the height of the pandemic, I realized that burnout and deep depression overwhelmed me. I took a leave from work and got the help I needed through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).
The second turning point came that summer during TMS treatment, when something inside me shifted. I realized I needed work that felt purposeful—something that truly helped people. Massage therapy had stayed in the back of my mind for years. I even applied to a school in 2020 but let fear hold me back.
This time, I called that same school. It was August 2021. They had one spot left—the last in the class. I took it. Two weeks later, I walked into my first day of school, nervous but sure.
Can you dive into that a little further? What was the catalyst for the change? And how will it impact you or your customers?
The real catalyst came when I hit that personal emotional and mental low. I felt burnt out, depressed, and unsure how to keep going. I’m grateful every day that my insurance covered the treatment I needed. That experience forced me to ask: What do I want my life to feel like? Not just what I want to do for work, but how I want to show up in the world.
As I healed, I discovered the power of having a safe space where I could pause, breathe, and reconnect with my body. That’s what massage therapy became for me, and that’s what I now offer to others.
This shift has changed everything. I no longer just working — I serve. I bring my lived experience into every session. I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed, to need rest, and to need someone to hold space. I also understand sitting at a desk but trying to stay active, and how our everyday posture can affect or irritate what we’re already holding onto in our muscles.
So, for my clients, it’s not just about massage — it’s about healing, presence, support, and knowledge. That’s the heart of what I do.
Lets look into the future a bit. Where do you see yourself going in the next ten years?
Looking ahead, I see myself continuing to grow both as a practitioner and an advocate for the true wellness potential of massage therapy. I love to learn, and I plan to pursue training in trauma-informed massage therapy, personal training, stretch therapy, and fascial work, among other modalities. I want to deepen my understanding of how the body heals and how I can support that process in more targeted, effective ways.
Alongside hands-on skills, I stay equally passionate about education and advocacy. One of my long-term goals is to continue to shift public perception of massage therapy. The spa industry has often framed it as a luxury or pampering experience — and while that has value, massage offers so much more.
I want to help people understand the clinical, therapeutic, and even emotional benefits of this work. Whether it’s through one-on-one sessions, community education, or future teaching opportunities, I see myself working to bridge that gap.
Now, I have found that with successful people, there is always someone pivotal as either a mentor, parent, teacher, or someone that you look to for advise, that helped set you on this path. Could you share who that person was? And what impact that had on the person you are today?
I’ve been fortunate to have many pivotal people in my life, including my family. But sometimes outside influence shapes us differently. My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Miles, had a big impact on me. At a time many adults saw me as loud and disruptive, she saw something more. Looking back, I understand I had undiagnosed ADHD and I was constantly moving and talking, but she didn’t treat me like a problem.
Instead of shutting me down, she gave me opportunities to shine. She cast me as the lead in our third-grade play and sat me next to a new student who needed a friend, because she trusted me to show kindness. That kind of belief — especially at that age — stuck with me.
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What was one take away that you learned from that person? And how did it translate into your business today?
Her patience, compassion, and ability to see beyond behavior and into a child’s heart taught me the power of being truly seen. I carry that lesson into my work today by holding space for people and helping them feel safe, valued, and heard. Massage involves muscles and connective tissue, but it’s also about how that massage therapist makes you feel, and how your nervous system reacts to that.
Let's dive into the customer's journey a little bit. What is the their "Why", and how does your company help them get their needs met?
Many of my clients come to Revive and Restore because they seek reconnection with their bodies and lasting relief. Their “Why” often starts with the challenges of daily life: chronic tension from long hours at a desk, recovering from injury, maintenance for athletic performers, or even just managing stress.
Revive and Restore meets these needs by offering personalized, therapeutic massage tailored to your unique situation. I blend clinical precision and technique with compassionate care, using whatever techniques we’ve decided on together to address physical discomfort.
Beyond the techniques, what sets my approach apart is the safe, nurturing environment I create, one where you feel truly seen and supported. This holistic approach helps move beyond surface-level relief and fosters deeper healing, so you leave each session feeling restored, empowered, and more connected to yourself.
Let's dive deeper into your products and services. You already gave an overview, but how do your products or services help your customers? And what makes them different from your competitors?
At Revive and Restore, I tailor every massage session to meet your unique needs in the moment. Rather than fitting you into standard categories like “deep tissue” or “Swedish,” and making you pick what you think you need, we collaborate—you choose the session length, and together we decide the techniques and focus areas that best support their body and goals.
This flexible, personalized approach keeps each session dynamic, evolving as you provide feedback and progress. I incorporate myofascial release, positional release, stretching, cupping, heat therapy, and other tools or modalities based on what will deliver the most effective results.
What sets Revive and Restore apart is that I include these additional modalities as part of the session—never as “extras” with hidden or additional fees. While many providers charge extra for these treatments, I focus on seamless, comprehensive care that prioritizes healing and comfort over upselling.
Because of this approach, you receive more value, more personalized care, and a truly supportive experience that helps you restore physically, mentally, and emotionally.
How does that impact your clients, or customer's experience?
I design every session around you and your unique needs, comfort, and goals. I include all the tools and techniques you need at no extra cost, so you can relax knowing you’re fully supported and cared for. My focus is to create a safe, welcoming space where you can let go, recharge, and trust that your healing journey is my top priority.
As you share feedback and your needs change, I adjust each session to match where you are in the moment. This way, you receive more than just a massage—you experience a thoughtful, holistic treatment that helps you feel your best.
By working together in this personalized way, we build trust and connection. You feel empowered in your wellness journey and confident returning for ongoing care and continued progress.
Let's dive into your customer's journey a little bit. Can you share with us, how do your customers discover you and your brand? What are their next steps? And what is the experience you would like to see your customers go on, when working with you and your brand?
Many people discover Revive and Restore through word of mouth and local community connections, but you can also find me on Facebook, Instagram, Google, or my website. Once you reach out or schedule a session online, I’ll send you a client intake form to learn more about your experiences and medical history. Then, during the first session session we can collaborate to create a customized plan, whether you’re looking for massage weekly, monthly, or only once in a while.
When you start working with me, my goal is for your experience to feel like more than just a massage appointment. I want you to feel safe, seen, and supported throughout your journey. Each session offers a chance to pause, reconnect with your body, and leave feeling restored and empowered.
Ultimately, I want you to build a lasting relationship with your own whole-body wellness—one that supports you far beyond the massage table.
Do you have a favorite client story you can share?
I have so many meaningful stories, but one that stands out today is about a client in his 80s. Over the years, he’d undergone several joint replacements, surgeries, and spinal fusions, yet he stayed as active as possible. Part of his wellness routine included monthly massage.
After listening to his concerns, I explained how I could help relieve his lower back pain by working through the front side of the muscles. He told me no one had ever approached treatment that way before but was eager to try.
When he got up after the session, he said it was the first time in a long while that moving from lying down to sitting and standing felt easy. At his next appointment, he shared that the relief had lasted longer than usual and that he felt better than he had in years. He was excited to continue improving with each visit.
How has that inspired you or your team?
That experience reaffirmed why I do this work. Watching my knowledge turn into hands-on care that restores mobility and comfort inspires me to keep learning and refining my approach. I love seeing how small, intentional adjustments create meaningful change—and how helping someone move, feel, and live better empowers them, no matter their age or condition.
Before we wrap up our interview, what are some thoughts and insights you would like to share with our readers?
I think the biggest thing I’d like readers to take away is that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our bodies are always communicating with us, and when we take the time to listen we can find balance again. It doesn’t happen overnight though, it is an investment in yourself.
I also want people to know that it’s never too late to start feeling better. Whether you’re managing chronic tension, recovering from an injury, or simply trying to slow down in a busy life, there’s always space to heal and grow. My goal is to meet each person where they are, offer a safe space for that process, and remind them that they’re capable of feeling good in their body again.
Well, this has been wonderful. How can people learn more about you or your company?
Email – rrtheramassage@gmail.com
Phone – 303-502-7209
Website – https://rrtheramassage.com
Facebook – Revive and Restore Therapeutic Massage
Instagram - rrtheramassage
Google – Revive and Restore Therapeutic Massage
Thank you so much for sitting with us and sharing your story.
Thank you so much for having me, it’s been wonderful.
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