Meet Sheri Nishimura, OTR/L, LMT, CPT | Owner of Myo·dō: Movement & Massage Studio
We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheri Nishimura, OTR/L, LMT, CPT and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sheri, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
For me, the answer is faith walkin’…that’s what I think—that’s what I hope—will have the greatest impact on my children. Living out the lessons I try to teach them:
1. Hold onto your faith.
2. Always try.
3. Work hard.
4. Be compassionate.
5. Show grace.
6. Don’t get lost in other’s thoughts about you.
7. Dream and set goals.
8. Fall, get back up and dust yourself off.
9. Be humble.
10. Do it afraid.
The greatest honor I have in life, is to be a parent. Daily I have a sense of responsibility to do my best with and for my children – it’s a different motivation that is rooted deep. When I first became a parent, I really struggled with being a professional and being a mom. It felt as if it was a choice that had to be made between the two: ”How could being at work, away from my children, be good for my children?” But as I have gone back to school and then worked toward opening my business…I realized that my kids are watching more than they often are listening…so what I DO often says more than what I SAY.
This really became evident as we started on the journey to open Myo·dō. From the beginning, my husband and I were intentional to involve our children in each step of the process—front row seats to the highs and the lows! It was important to us that they were involved because they would be making sacrifices too. We anticipated some long days, but we never anticipated what would unfold during the zoning process for the studio. My family (parents) had purchased a property with the hope of converting it from a residential property to a commercial property for the future home of Myo·dō. This process took several months, required attendance and engagement with our local Planning Commission and City Council and ultimately the community at large. A small group in the community presented opposition to the re-zoning and used false information related to my family’s ethnic background (my husband is of Japanese descent) and my profession to gain signatures to prevent the rezoning. The zoning did not go in our favor, but it was important to my family and I that we keep faith walkin’ and showing grace, but also bringing light to the misinformation. Through it all, my kids were there…they were there to wish me luck for the meetings, to see the work of not just me but the village that supported me. One night, in the midst of the zoning process, my son said the prayer at the dinner table…”Dear God, please help mommy open her studio so she can help people”…it was then that I realized that in the busyness of rezoning, the meetings, the phone calls and emails…he was watching…and listening. It was in this moment, I began to grasp just how much my children were watching how I handled what was before me…Problems will come, plans will fall through, but we get to choose our response: to keep our faith, to try, to work hard, be compassionate, show grace, not get lost in other’s thoughts about us, dream, set goals, fall-get back up-dust yourself off, be humble and keep doing it (even afraid).
Setting out to open the business, my husband and I had concerns about the negative impact it might have on our children because of the time and resources it would take to start the business…but it turns out, it has been one of the greatest opportunities to have a positive impact on our children — and so the answer to my quandary as a new parent is “yes – being at work, being away can still be positive” — it gives me peace that I can do both, be a professional and a mom — and both provide opportunities for an impact on my children.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am now the owner of Myo·dō: Movement & Massage Studio. This is a new title, but one that has been over two decades in the making!
I don’t know that I can really trace the true beginning, as I have always thought I’d be involved in the medical field…but it wasn’t until my last two years of high school that I narrowed that down to occupational therapy through a sports medicine career tech program. Fast forward, I attended Auburn University and Medical College of Georgia(MCG)…earning degrees in psychology and occupational therapy. It was during my time at MCG, that I really started, unintentionally, on the journey that brought me to opening my own studio: Dr. McAlister, a professor in my OT program introduced our class to “soft tissue work” through myofascial release and craniosacral techniques — and that’s when the seed was planted. I benefited from the soft tissue work, but then as I practiced as an OT in various settings, I saw how soft tissue benefited patients. My interests expanded beyond the hands on manual techniques to also include functional movement and corrective exercises. Professionally, when I was working as a civilian with the Army, I really had the opportunity to see the benefits of combining the soft tissue work with functional movement. Despite loving my work, I had children and made the decision to leave full time work to have more time with them while they were little. Though they are still little, both are in school now. During this professional pause, I found it laid on my heart to open a studio – but as an OT I have limitations based on practice standards and licensure. So I went to massage school to gain new skills and with the goal of opening my own studio. In addition to OT and massage, I pursued certification as a personal trainer, again with the goal of opening a studio.
Was the journey easy – some days yes, some days no – but it has always been rewarding!
I’ve learned a lot along the way…and I am still learning every day. Things I’ve learned – it takes a village (to raise a kid, start a business). No is not always the answer, sometimes it just takes a few more questions or requests to get to the yes. You can do it afraid – being afraid or unsure isn’t a reason to not do something. You learn as much from mistakes as you do from getting it right.
What I want the world to know about my brand, my story: I felt called to open a studio…to create a space where people can come, let their guard down and take time to focus on their wellness journey and health. The studio is a fusion of soft tissue work and functional movement/corrective exercises. Myo·dō bridges the gap between medicine and holistic services.
Through my 20 years of practice, I have worked with collegiate athletes, elite Soldiers, individuals dealing with chronic pain and and individuals recovering from surgery, neurological traumas and various injuries. No matter the individual’s background or profession, I have come to appreciate that if a person is able to move well in pain free ranges, he/she can engage in valued activities. As we transition through seasons of life, our demands for movement change and our body’s ability to perform also changes. If we can regain movement in pain free ranges, improve strength, then we can be involved in activities that fill our cup. My goal is simply to help people MOVE BETTER. LIVE BETTER.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many great things to do and wonderful food to eat:
1. Visit the river walk in Columbus, Georgia and consider a little whitewater rafting or zip lining on the ‘Hooch! Or rent a bike from Ride On Bikes and go 20+ miles along the river!
2. The Columbus area has amazing murals all over town — definitely take a drive through town finding them all – My favorite is “Miss Columbus”…Heritage Tower Building painted by Chris Johnson!
3. Iron Bank Coffee: A local favorite spot for coffee, relaxing, working, studying – you can actually sit in one of the old vaults!
4. Tuesdays Street Tacos & Burritos: Did someone say carnitas taco? Elote? YAAASS!!
5. Depending on the season, catch an indoor soccer game with The Rapids, Hockey with the River Dragons or Baseball with the Chatt-A-Hoots!
6. Grab a donut from Veri Best Donuts (but get there early because they will sell out)!
7. The Cannon – good food, good drinks, cool atmosphere to catch up with friends.
8. Visit MidTown (Columbus, GA) and eat at JarFly, Country’s BBQ (get dessert) or DingleWood Pharmacy (get the scrambled dog)!
8. The National Infantry Museum – We love our military and this museum is beautiful and interactive!
9. Take a drive to Pine Mountain, Georgia and hike the trails or visit the Little White House and F.D.R. State Park or Callaway Gardens (If its November-December – go to Fantasy in Lights).
10. Head west to “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” (Auburn University) in Auburn, Alabama — if it’s fall head to Toomer’s Corner to roll the trees with toilet paper to celebrate a win (Or anytime Auburn Wins)! We say “War Eagle” instead of “hello” — Make sure to grab some beignets from Mo’Bay Beignet and stop in Opelika at the best Asian restaurant, MK’s Asian Kitchen!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Everyday I feel the love and support of my village – of those family and friends that have given words of encouragement, taught me about life/business and shared resources and their talents to help me to open the studio and grow professionally (and personally): I thank God for His provisions; my husband (Kevin) and my littles for their unwavering love and support; my parents for a lifetime of love and support; my brother Chris and my siblings in love – Denise, Tim and Sean for their support, advice, and encouragement; Kim Mixon, my friend, prayer warrior and mentor (and a rockstar realtor/business leader in the community) for her guidance and support; Ali Boehm (The Massage Business Mama) for her support and guidance to start a massage business; Dr. David and Lori White for their support and courage to bring misinformation to light; and Dr. Rob McAlister (Professor) for planting the seed that has now grown into Myo·dō.
Book: Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio
Book: Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday
Website: www.myo-do.com
Instagram: @myodomovementandmassage
Facebook: www.facebook.com/myodomovementandmassage
Image Credits
April Sawyer Photography
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