My story...
My name is Jon Gabriel; I lived in Puerto Rico until the age of 19 and then moved to the United States back in the summer of 2000 after my first year of college in the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey (CUC). I was studying acting at the time; it used to be one of my passions in high school and in college. I was part of Cafe Teatro in the CUC. After a year in college I decided to move to Maryland and experience something new, I wanted to open my ideas and spice up my life. So I left that part of my life behind and started a new one.
After living in Maryland with my lovely aunt and studying there for one semester I decided MD was not the place for me. So I moved with my very creative and open minded uncle to Los Angeles in the spring of 2001 and started fresh again in college. There I had my first experience with massage, since my uncle had some basic knowledge; he tried to teach me a little bit about the art. I found it fascinating, and since I was getting involved with the whole healthy body, mind and soul I thought I should give it a try.
At the time I was also practicing yoga, I mostly did it at home with the videos from Bryan Kest (www.poweryoga.com) which I HIGHLY recommend. I am still doing it till this day! Anyhow, in Los Angeles I took my first course of massage and I thought "wow... this is pretty cool... and it involves so much anatomy and physiology!" Which I have always loved! Maybe because my dad was a biology teacher and he showed me the beauty about the body, I am not sure, but I do know that the way the body and nature work is beautiful and fascinating.
After Los Angeles, I had a wild adventure and I moved to Mexico for 5 months, things in Mexico did not look that good for me. And after 5 months of pretty much being unemployed and inspired by the Mexicans hard work I decided it was time for me to start moving in the right direction, work hard and settle into a place in which I could built my life... pretty much from scratch! So, I finished moving to Florida.
When I came to Florida I was a completely different guy, I was motivated, I wanted to work, I wanted to study, I wanted to be successful in life. Since I knew that there were so many opportunities here to be successful and I was taking things for granted by not being discipline and having no focus. My life in FL turned around; I arrived at Tampa and find two jobs in the first two weeks. I saved money for 4 months, moved from sister’s house into a house with some guys in Orlando I have only met over the Internet. Bought a bicycle and there I settle for 8 months, trying to complete my course at the school of Florida College of Natural Health (www.fcnh.com). I did GREAT in school, but I also work very hard to achieve that.
After I finished, I moved back to Tampa in the spring of 2004, I took my test and did not pass. I felt frustrated and waited two years to take the test again because I was extremely scared of failing a second time. It was a big shock since I had done so well in school, and suddenly I did not pass for 3 points the test for the license for massage therapy. Well, after two years I finally retook it and I pass... did excellent. Huff! A weight off my shoulders! After some months searching for work and employers turning me down because of my lack of experience, on the fall of 2006 the owner of a spa decided to give me a chance! Finally someone opened the doors for me!
Well, ever since I have been working at MASSAGE Envy and things are going, finally, good for me. After completing my course of massage therapy in Orlando, I decided to go, once again, back to school. I am currently working on my A.S. for physical therapist assistant at Saint Pete College. I also started my education to become a yoga instructor at PRANA VINYASA SCHOOL OF YOGA. And, if everything goes well, I will continue my education on Physical Therapy at USF... which it is my ultimate goal.
Wow! Thanks for reading all these! Hopefully my experiences can serve you as inspiration... and as cliché as it sounds... you can never give up! Work hard for what you want and always be considerate and respectful towards others and yourself. Namaste.