In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren are joined by Melissa Strautman, winner of the gold medal for Swedish massage at the International Association of Massage’s World Championship, where she competed against 56 therapists from 50 countries. Strautman, who also won silver for facial massage in the 2023 American Massage Championship and gold for Swedish massage in the 2022 American Massage Championship, speaks about her experience in this competitive arena, what drew her to start competing, and how it has helped her grow as a therapist. After attending Martin Methodist College and Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, Melissa graduated from the New York College for Holistic Health Education and Research (now called the New York College of Health Professions) in Syosset, New York, in 1999. She holds licenses in  New York and Kentucky, and completes between 24–72 continuing education hours every year. She has owned and operated a private practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky, since 2003 (formerly: New York Massage Company). As an educator, Melissa has experience teaching anatomy/physiology, pathology, ethics, Eastern anatomy/physiology, stone massage, aromatherapy, and Fundamentals of Massage Technique. Melissa opened MassageFIX, a massage office in Bowling Green, in 2012. In addition to seeing clients regularly, she is the national coordinator for the United States Association of Massage Championships and the state coordinator for the Kentucky Massage Championship. Melissa was inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in July 2023.   Resources:   https://usamassagechamps.squarespace.com/about   Hosts:   Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com. Kristin Coverly, LMT is a massage therapist, educator, and the director of professional education at ABMP. She loves creating continuing education courses, events, and resources to support massage therapists and bodyworkers as they enhance their lives and practices. Contact her at ce@abmp.com.     Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com      Touch America: www.touchamerica.com     Zibby Media: www.zibbymedia.com         Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.                      Website: anatomytrains.com                        Email: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA       Zibby Media is a women-led company dedicated to deepening the connections between readers, authors, and each other. We do so by offering many ways to connect—even for those who don’t have time to read. Founded by Zibby Owens, author, podcaster, publisher, books