Today we’d like to introduce you to Giselle Aballi.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I was born in Cuba; I grew up just enjoying family, friends, and communication, and I always liked to be my group’s mediator and empath member. I had a passion for piano and any activity involving my hands. I did pottery, macrame, and other crafts. I had infinite love for others and was always ready to help. I grew up sharing the little I had, which gave me the strength to hustle and overcome the struggle. I went to a technical high school for graphic arts, and while there, I was always selling clothes and hair accessories, trying to make a life, and helping myself and my family. During that time, I remember that my family only had rice and beans to eat, which made me realize how much I needed to succeed to improve our lives. I always liked massaging my family members and doing mini spa sessions for my friends; caring for others made me feel alive, but I also had a very creative side. I discovered later that I wanted to study design and architecture, but I also had sports science and Dentistry on my list. I had to pay for my tutoring because I needed to familiarize myself with the content of the exams required to be approved to get any university career. So, I had to start selling different products and items, and my mom had to sell all her jewelry to help me pay for the tutoring. I worked at a cafeteria across from the American embassy and was paid 4 dollars a day for 11 hours Of work with no break. I was happy because I needed the money for my classes. My health was terrible, and after one episode of kidney problems, I had to leave. I started helping with the family business, billiards, and pin-pon table rentals. Helping my grandma take care of business and studying simultaneously was challenging.
Conditions in Cuba could be better regarding the education system and protocols. Wish made it hard for me to get one of the first options. I presented to the exams 3 years back to back. I’m trying to get one of my first options on the list. I ended up enrolling in sports science. I started university at 21, older than other class students. I had the best two years of my life and met many good friends. Sometimes, I had to walk 3 miles back home because public transportation was almost impossible. I made some fantastic friends at school, and luckily, I traveled to Mexico a couple of times and saw that other countries have more than I do. It was an eye-opening trip. I was practicing spots all day, sometimes the only tennis shoes I had lasted me only 5 months. It was hard to keep myself together. After 2 years of university, I had a bad experience back in Cuba from one of my trips to Mexico, and I decided to leave Cuba and start a new life in the USA. My uncle here helped me find a massage school in his area. I moved to the States in November 2016, and within 3 months, I was already enrolled in massage school, where I fell in love with massage therapy and all the information given to me. I was living in Fort Myers and traveling to Orlando during weekends to spend time with my husband, who today is my husband. I didn’t have a car, that made my journey even more difficult. I passed the board exam and started to apply for jobs without any knowledge of English. I got hired for the massage therapist position at Massage Envy Winter Park, and that was my opportunity to learn English and be the best at what I did. I met many incredible clients and people who helped me in my new life and journey.
2020 was a year of changes for everyone, but I also changed my place of work that year. I went to work for pristine spas in St. Cloud. The year after, I had a very emotional challenge that made me think about my mental health and others’ mental health. My father passed away from a mental illness, and it was then that I started thinking about opening Loft by Gi, a Wellness and spa-focused loft in Casselberry Whit 9 suites and space for everyone with a desire for success. It opened on September 1, 2022, as did my massage practice, Giselle Aballi LMT. I met some fantastic people, and we were like a family. And improve my knowledge of laws, protocols, and communication skills. I started reading books to work on myself to help others learn and opened a new world of feelings and understanding of life; unfortunately, after 6 months of calling this place home. It had to close its doors, and we all Had to relocate. I found my new home in Winter Park, where I have always known I belonged since this community welcomed me in my beginnings. In the middle of chaos, there is always something good. I have been practicing for 1 year on my own, and I’m incredibly proud of myself. Today, I’m improving my business, adding new products and services focused on chronic pain and other health issues related to muscle and nerve trauma.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I was growing up without my father, going to sleep with nothing on my stomach many times, learning a new language, and not believing that I was capable of more. He has mistreated my father’s mental health. He is passing away business-related paperwork and laws.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m a massage therapist who focuses on pain relief. I use rapid neuro-fascial reset, deep tissue, and neuromuscular therapy. Every client is my protector, and I do everything I can to help them feel better, including tips about mental health and routines that will help them reach their wellness goals. My deep tissue and therapeutic skills are what clients know me for. What separates me from others is that I listen to my client’s needs. I help everyone, even if it doesn’t involve monetary compensation. This is more than a job for me. It’s my passion and makes me feel alive. I can’t see anyone in pain. I can’t let anyone go without knowing that I give them some quality service and lots of Kindness and patience. My services are not only a massage; I’m a miracle worker, an intuitive soul touching other people’s lives and making them feel and understand that there is a life without pain and less suffering. I make sure I make my clients confident about using their body again this time whit stronger mindset. Sometimes, it is trauma and mindset that makes people feel weak and miserable. I’m here for that, too; I’m here to see deeper than muscles and nerves. I make a whole scenario depending on past body concussions, traumas, and mental health issues. I work with that and what I feel is their bodies, bringing them to a safe and trusted environment until they feel safe and trust their body capabilities.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I took many risks during my life. Risk is the bridge that takes you to new opportunities and learning processes. It is your only way to know if it was worth the time and the effort. I see risk as the only thing responsible for your comfort zone. There is only opportunity with risk, and no one succeeds with it. Life doesn’t happen to you. It happens to you.
Contact Info:
- Website: giselleaballi.com
- Instagram: giselle_aballi_lmt_
Image Credits
Monstera Studio
