Anne McCranie
We sat down with Women to Women Network member Anne McCranie of Fluid Movement + Massage LLC and here's what she had to say…
Who are your clients/customers?
I work with a wide variety of people, but I primarily see two different types of women. I have my 30 to 45-year-old moms, juggling their nine-to-five jobs with other responsibilities like getting their middle schooler to practices or caretaking for older relatives. This type of client has minimal free time, so they are looking for a workout they can get in after work in the evenings and weekends. They're also seeking nutrition tips and stress management tools.
The other type of clients I often see are retirees. They want to work in the garden, travel and play with their grandkids on the floor. They're interested in mobility and balance. Some of these ladies have a medical history of knee or hip replacements, or they're coming from a recent surgery or injury. They've been released from physical therapy, and I help them continue their rehab process. It's my goal to get them out of pain and keep them out of pain. Since these clients have more free time, we tend to work together in the afternoons.
How do you help your clients/customers?
I'm a personal trainer and a massage therapist, but I think the essential part of what I do is stress reduction. Lately, I have been filming live monthly mindfulness sessions where I lead a guided meditation. Finding ways to incorporate stress-reduction techniques into a short amount of time is so important. It could be as short as five minutes or as long as 20 or 30 minutes. Doing it is what matters most!
I help my clients find quick and easy practices to stay active. I call short moments of exercise “movement snacks.” I encourage my clients to ask themselves how they can use the time they have for movement or meditation. What can I do in a minute? What can I do throughout the day?
I recently taught a Lunch-and-Learn at Nike, and we talked about making movement a part of the workday, especially while working from home. For example, stand up while taking phone calls, intentionally go into another room to start a new task, and step outside while taking a break instead of surfing the internet. When we were working in offices, we were forced to go down the hall and talk to a co-worker or get a document printed. We could replicate those movements at home.
What brought you to this line of work?
I took childhood ballet classes and danced through high school and college. I was at Florida State when I injured my back and started seeing a massage therapist. I quickly found pain relief from this alternative therapy and I realized that I wanted to share this with others. I went to massage school in Florida and began to see how essential therapeutic exercise was to keeping our bodies pain-free and healthy. I then layered on a Pilates certification and became a personal trainer.
I've worked to build a large umbrella of knowledge, and I like to incorporate everything I have learned to give my clients the best experience possible. I'm a Precision Nutrition coach, ACE-certified personal trainer, Oregon licensed massage therapist, Physical Mind trained pilates instructor, Yoga Fit trained yoga instructor, and Reiki second level attunement. I've also trained with Upledger in craniosacral therapy levels I and II.
By incorporating all of the skills I have acquired over 20 years, I'm confident in my breadth of knowledge, and sometimes that means knowing the right time to send my clients to another professional. I often attend my clients’ physical therapy sessions to learn what works best for their bodies—this has been another great way to continue my education.
What brings you joy?
I have the best clients! Just last night during a virtual class, my clients' cats and dogs joined us, and someone's husband walked in and asked, "What's for dinner?", so I'm always entertained.
The connection I have with my ladies is excellent. We have fun together and see it as a support system. If one of us can't make it to class, we miss them. We even celebrate birthdays every chance we get.
What defines you and your business?
My approach to exercise has changed a lot over the years. In my twenties, if I had 30 minutes, I would go for a run. Now, I incorporate a lot of short therapeutic exercises to keep my body feeling good. For example, if I've got a minute before a meeting starts, I get on the floor to roll and do some of my release work. I still intersperse more intense workouts like lifting heavy weights and long, brisk walks, but it's the consistent little things that seem to really help our bodies.
We spend so much time in our heads. Anything you can do, to get the feeling of being back in your body is so helpful. Right before this meeting, I just took a deep breath and thought about what's important to me. I thought, "I like this person I am about to chat with; it is going to go well."
Remind yourself to take a 30-second pause, feel your feet on the floor, and notice your breath. It doesn't have to be this huge deal.
What's the most important thing you want people to know about you and your business?
Working with me is fun! I have this little pink notebook that I journal in every morning, and I've noticed that every few pages I write, "Encourage more fun!" I'm always looking for ways to find enjoyment, and I like to bring that to my work.
Fluid Movement + Massage LLC