The birth of Rachel Scutt’s career in massage was serendipitous. After five years as a stay-at-home mom, the Grand Junction, Colorado, resident decided it was time to go back to school to finish her architecture degree, though she wasn’t so sure architecture was what she still wanted to do. On the day she was to meet with her college advisor to discuss her career options, the advisor had to cancel. What do you do when your best-laid plans go awry? Get a massage, of course!

That massage—Scutt’s first—was life-changing. She found herself overwhelmed with emotion and knew massage was what she wanted to do. She was living in New Mexico at the time and visited Albuquerque’s Universal Therapeutic Massage Institute the next day. “Once I started school, I was hooked,” Scutt says. “I became fascinated by the human body.”
When she and her family moved to Colorado, they were inspired to become healthier. Scutt began working out several times a week, but in her first six months of training, she didn’t see much change in her body. A friend, who was a trainer at the gym, suggested she sign up for a bodybuilding competition as motivation to reach her fitness goals, but she was hesitant. “Me, on stage? No way, I thought.” Her friend kept pushing and eventually Scutt decided to give it a go. She began her new training and saw her body transform from 28.9 percent body fat and 165 pounds to 14 percent body fat and 140 pounds. “I was hooked again,” she says.
She found that her two disciplines, bodybuilding and massage, complement each other. “In my own strengthening, I found my sense of touch transforming. I had more strength to get through each session, and my energy and mental connection to my clients was stronger than ever.” And the synergy went both ways: “The knowledge I gained through massage and healing touch has helped me in bodybuilding. I am very attuned to my body mechanics in every lift, and I have a better connection to the muscles I’m working.”
Getting involved in the local fitness community helped Scutt bridge her two life passions and grow her massage practice. “Last year, a bodybuilding competition came to the Grand Junction area, and that was my ticket to get on board.” She competed in the show, and this year she will have a booth and present an award. “I will also donate gift certificates to the winners, which was a huge hit last year.” Since combining her two worlds, Scutt’s massage practice has thrived: when she opened her practice, she had about 16 clients per week; today, she averages 20–30 clients per week; 90 percent are athletes.
Her advice to new massage therapists: “Keep yourself strong through fitness so you can continue to be strong for your clients.” She adds, “Truly believe with your whole heart that when you keep your passion strong, supported by a strong foundation of confidence and knowledge, you will reach a level of success that will amaze you.”
Scutt’s plans for the near future include finishing her degree—in exercise science. She also hopes to compete in more bodybuilding shows, eventually on the national level, and is currently writing a book about her journey through bodywork and bodybuilding. “I hope to inspire many with my view on the sport and my passion for the body.”

Brandon Twyford is assistant editor at ABMP.