Meet the Team : Castle Frame

Meet Castle Frame, LMBT and CEO of Castle Frame Massage.

You can also learn more about Castle this article by Canvas Rebel

Tell me a bit about yourself. Who is Castle Frame? 

I was born and raised in Athens, Ohio, but I call Durham my home. My wife and I moved here about 7 years ago, and we completely fell in love with the area. We ended up buying a house about four years ago and have transformed it into our little paradise here in the Triangle. 

When I am not giving massages,I take walks with my dogs, spend time with my loved ones, and do anything that is music-related! I have a deep love for travel and connecting with new people and places. Oh! And I can’t forget my new-found love for Sudoku; it is so addicting!!

What inspires you, not just as a massage therapist but as a person?

My career inspirations definitely still come from my original instructors, Jeanie Faulkner and Mark Cullen. They have expanded their careers with passion and care, and they have made the world a better place. I feel that they set the tone for my entire career. My dad also inspires me and is a big part of why I took the leap to start my own business. He is an entrepreneur too, and he has done an excellent job creating and running small businesses throughout his career. 

On a personal level, I think that it’s more my experiences that inspire me. When I travel, take a class, or encounter someone who has such good energy, it radiates into the room. Being a good friend and person inspires me. Making a difference on even a small scale. 

What do you do on a regular basis to stay healthy and happy?

Now, I won’t say I’m perfect and keep up with doing healthy things every single day, but I do strive to feel happy about the day that I had and be ready for the next. And most of those things are what I enjoy doing in my free time, especially playing with my two furbabies, Marco and Opie.

This past July, I decided to take my mental health treatment in full force. I took time off work and went to the mountain. I think that was the best decision I’ve ever made. So I definitely want to inspire others that it’s okay to take the time you need for yourself. 

You have been a massage therapist for about 7 years now. How did it all start?

I went to school originally for psychology at Ohio University, but after the first year, I realized it was definitely not for me. Not the psychology part, but the way of learning. I needed more hands-on experience than a lecture full of 200 people in the room. When I decided to switch careers, I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew there was an amazing tech school nearby, Hocking College, and I saw they had a massage therapy program. I signed up two weeks before classes started. I remember the first class I had was aromatherapy, and my instructor took us outside to find herbs for us to turn into oils. I knew at that moment that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. That feeling of “I found my calling” sunk in for the first time, and it really brought tears to my eyes! I couldn’t wait to discover more about the industry.

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What are some challenges you faced in your career, and how did you get through them?

My biggest challenge was passing my massage therapy test to get my license. Since I was a kid, I have always struggled with major test anxiety and anxiety in general. I could tell you everything about massage, but when it comes to answering it in a multiple-choice test, I totally freeze. I used to look down on myself because of this, and I really wasn’t sure if I was ever going to pass. But my friends and family kept reminding me how talented I was at massage, so I continued scheduling the next one. It was extremely hard for me, and I kept it a secret. Now, I use my challenge to remind other students that it's okay if you don’t pass the first time, the second time, and even the third. It doesn’t make you a bad massage therapist. Keep going. In the end, you will end up reaching the goals you never thought you could achieve.

As the founder of Auroraflow, you clearly have a lot of passion in your “why?” What drove you to build this company? 

Well, definitely, as someone in the LGBTQ+ community, I do know what it’s like to get “those looks." Almost every time Lauren and I have gone to get a couples massage and there are two women walking in, you can tell that the energy has changed. There is now an “elephant in the room.” I wanted to create a space with the right therapists where no client would ever have to feel uncomfortable in their own skin or sexuality. 

I also have many clients who are part of the queer community. Listening to the struggles they have gone through has reassured me that Durham needs AuroraFlow. 

What advice would you give to people who are wanting to begin investing in their own wellness? 

I would say to hold compassion for yourself and your body. When you do that, you will realize that investing in your own wellness is one of the best things you can do for personal growth. Because you are worth it. You deserve to have a massage after a long day working in the construction industry or a relaxing facial after you’ve taken hormones and are now able to grow a beard! And wellness doesn’t just mean treatments that you can get from Auroraflow. I am always happy to recommend talk therapists, yoga instructors, acupuncturists, nutritionists, psychiatrists, books that have helped me, podcasts that I love, and even certain social media accounts that I follow with awesome wellness tips and cheer. It’s all important.

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