Fifteen years ago, I came to Massage & Bodywork magazine after a career in newspapers. I wanted to help craft beautiful magazines and ABMP’s mission resonated with me. At the time, Managing Editor Darren Buford had already been on staff for two years; we hit it off and agreed to partner. I promised him that when it was time for me to do something else, I’d make sure he was ready to step in. That time is now. I’m delighted that Darren is Massage & Bodywork’s new Editor-in-Chief and this is my last Editor’s Note.
Over the years, we’ve had a wonderful adventure. We’ve inevitably stepped on each other’s toes a few times, but because of ABMP’s culture, we were also able to enhance our professional skill sets and each lend our strengths to support our members and all our communications.
Our Publications Department evolved into a Communication Services Department, staffed with several other talented individuals I inherited, as well as some new ones. Along the way, we’ve always kept ABMP’s expectmore credo forefront in our decisions; we promise members they can expectmore from everything we do. You speak and we listen. We learn so you can thrive. Toward that end, Darren’s evolved into a talented digital magazine publishing expert. In fact, he’s President of the Western Publishing Association. And he’s led the charge to fill our shelves with national awards.
In the meantime, in addition to my day-to-day activities, I took to the road and immersed myself in the professions we serve. I’ve thrived meeting members, vendors, and interested partners; I love connecting people with possibilities. Now it’s time for me to continue to maximize ABMP’s member benefits and build even more bridges. Now we’re a group of sister associations with countless opportunities for practitioners to succeed, and I’m keen to communicate the equity of our amazing member benefits.
As Darren and I divide and conquer, our promise to each other continues. We’ll keep enjoying our synergy on behalf of ABMP and its sister associations. My next mission here includes supporting Massage & Bodywork as Editor-at-Large and our associations as Vice President of Communication and Professional Outreach. Darren is perfectly suited to serve you as Editor-in-Chief, and the rest of our award-winning staff and columnists have his support. And you all have our promise that you can continue to expectmore as we work to empower you. Promise!

Leslie A. Young, PhD
leslie@abmp.com