About Me
HI, I’m Zest(He/Him)
I specialize in releasing stored trauma in the body as well as relieving the effects of trauma on the body through massage therapy, Trauma Touch Therapy™, and manual lymphatic drainage in a safe and empowering environment. I also utilize this range of services to support trans folks at every stage of their journey, helping with understanding and managing the physiological, somatic, and emotional impacts of the trans experience.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
My Journey to Healing
As someone who has lived with the effects of C-PTSD since a very early age I finally started my healing journey in 2019 through talk therapy. After starting my healing journey I quickly recognized the direct connection between the nervous system and tension in the body, which led me to shift my focus to studying modalities aimed at relieving trauma stored in the body. And for the first time in a very long time I was able to live outside of survival mode which is when I finally had the confidence to come out as transgender.
Later, I found Trauma Touch Therapy and went through my own personal series. Through my 10 session series I became more aware of my triggers, noticed when I was in a state of dissociation, and learned tools to keep me in and aware of the sensation in my body. After completing my series I just knew I had to offer this service to others. In December of 2022 I flew out and studied Trauma Touch Therapy™ at the Colorado School of Healing Arts and have been practicing ever since. It really is such beautiful and profound work.
I’m a Florida native but due to the anti-trans political climate I made the decision to head out west to Seattle over the summer of 2024. I deeply understand my privilege in being able to leave Florida and continue to find and execute ways to contribute to the liberation of everyone, especially the BIPOC, queer, trans, and non-binary folks in the south. Living the trans experience and being a bodyworker, I truly believe in liberation through bodywork. I believe our ability to connect and be present in our bodies in turn allows us to do profound work and show up for our communities. Imagine the work that can be done with a more regulated nervous system and a body without the inhibitions of pain and fatigue.
Massage not only healed some of my chronic health conditions, but it also truly saved my life.
OUR BIGGEST ASSET
Finding Community
In 2021 I started looking into getting top surgery however, it wasn’t yet accessible financially. With the encouragement of my friend Taylor Biro, I started a GoFundMe to try and raise funding for my surgery. My entire community, from grade school friends to past teachers, and even strangers I’d never met, came together and helped me raise over $8,000 in just a few months. This experience taught me that community is our biggest asset, and we can accomplish so much when we come together. This also inspired me to research funding opportunities such as grant writing and community funded mutual aid so that in the future I can provide my services to marginalized populations at little to no expense to them.
ABOUT GEMMA
Emotional Support Staff
Meet Gemma, our emotional support weighted triceratops stuffie. She’s great at helping clients with severe anxiety feel more comfortable on the table. Clients love having her resting on their backs and/or stomachs as I work. She’s also super soft and a great sensory tool.
What Sparks Joy For Me
Spending time with my dog and very best boy, Bentley.
Reading a good book outside.
Lifting weights.
Practicing and studying witchy things, and searching for tiny trinkets.
I’m pretty sure I was a crow in my past life.
I also love making me a good ole spreadsheet.
Oh, and bubbles. If there’s one thing that sparks complete joy in me, it’s bubbles.
Start Your Healing
Journey Today.
Take the first step towards reclaiming your inner peace by booking a bodywork session today.
