Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandy Harrison.
Hi Brandy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
15 years ago, I took a leap at a career change from Interior Design and dove into the world of Massage Therapy. I always wanted to be in the health or medical field I just wasn’t quite sure where. Learning how the body functions work, the muscular skeletal system and holistic alternatives opened my eyes to a whole new world. I started part-time providing in-home therapy while enjoying raising my two babies who are now 12 and 8. After my first was born, I discovered the world of Doulas. I went through trainings to become a Doula and Birth Assistant for out of hospital births. I quickly was on call most of the time and working with clients daily. Through the years, I became more and more involved with pregnant and post-partum women. I became a breastfeeding advocate, making lactation goods, belly cast and henna artist, lifestyle coach, childbirth educator, and so much more. I have provided free and low cost services to mom’s in need often through the years. I hope, with the communities help, I can continue to do so through donated scholarship programs.
Fast forward to today, 2021, and after 14 years mobile, I opened my first location offering all services in Sanford, FL. Having a location offers so many more options. In addition to the treatment room for individual therapies, there is an area for education, group meetings, meditation, retreats, couples therapy and more. This truly is a “one stop shop” for pregnant mama’s and I am so honored to provide this safe space in addition to treating in the home.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Shortly into my career, my sister passed unexpectedly. My firstborn was only five weeks old. The grief was a lot but I stayed strong for my family. I lost my entire breast milk supply on top of navigating through being a new mom of a challenging infant. My marriage ended leaving me a single mom and little income and no way to promote myself or grow my business. I focused on doing the best I could with what I had. When my second came along it was not planned. Navigating shared parenting relationships and being a parent with minimal income while trying to build your own business is definitely not easy.
I pushed hard to stay engaged in local support groups and donated much of my time to others and to keep building relationships in the local birth community. This, and client referrals, is what helped me continue to grow through the years.
I knew I wanted to have a location but something always came up financially that made me hesitant to leap. Then the pandemic hit. Legally we were not able to work for some time and the savings I had finally built up for a location was drained. Back to square one. I saved for the next year as much as possible and waited for the right place to present itself to me, and it did. Getting licenses and setting up the interior of a blank space took some time doing it all by myself. I have definitely grown even more through these challenges.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what other unique things you do?
Since I started out with art and interior design, I’ve also done many projects like murals, creating designs for belly casts, and many other artsy projects. I enjoy doing these very much still and feel it compliments the hands on work I do with so many moms in the community.
My practice focuses on women’s health in general with emphasis on pregnancy and postpartum. This is everything from conception into parenting.
The woman’s ever-changing hormones is something women deserve to understand. Whether it’s nutrition, uncomplicated or complicated pregnancy, the changing body during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, newborn and breastfeeding guidance and beyond, I pride myself in adjusting to help guide mothers wherever it is needed.
As a massage therapist, physically I am able to help keep the body aligned for a more comfortable pregnancy, labor prep for encouraging natural labor including less labor times, and swift recovery postpartum.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
In addition to mom’s, I also work with families! Any person, any age, any physical musculoskeletal or holistic educational need. Most of the time, I work with the partner of the mom as well! I encourage families to stay well together and to understand how to help each other through changing times becoming parents. Educational classes 1-1 are customized to meet the need.
Contact Info:
- Email: FiveDSerenity@gmail.com
- Website: www.5dserenity.com
- Instagram: @5D_Serenity
- Facebook: 5D Serenity Integrative Wellness
