Meet the Team : John Terribili

Meet John Terribili, Auroraflow's Thai Massage Therapist.

John, we are so excited to learn a little more about you! What's your story? Where are you from, and what are some of your hobbies?

I am originally from New Hampshire, but I have bounced around the country a bit. I lived twice in the Seattle area, and this is my second time calling NC home. I have been in Durham since 2015 after moving in with my partner, Ingrid, my two sons, and a very bossy but adorable dog. I absolutely love gardening and designing the landscape in my yard. I used to hike and go to live music a lot more than I do now, but I still find time for these things as well.

So you made a big jump by moving from a career in IT. What brought you to massage therapy? 

I originally wanted to pursue this back in 2005/6 or so, but my spouse at the time was not completely supportive of that, so I parked it for a while and kept the dream alive. In 2017, I decided I was not interested in doing another 25 years in IT or technology and wanted to pursue my passion for helping and healing people through bodywork. I attended the Healing Arts and Massage School (THAMS) in Raleigh, which focuses primarily on lymphatic massage. 

Why did you decide to specialize in Thai?

I first experienced Thai massage, culture, and people when I visited while I was in the Army in 1997/99 in the Chiang Mai area. I rediscovered my love of Thai massage while attending THAMS and decided to further pursue learning with Living Sabai (Asheville). Thai massage truly matches my personality and soul, and I absolutely believe in the power it has to bring healing, rest, and so much goodness to people’s lives and bodies. I also love how Thai massage is easy on the therapist's body and allows for more collaboration with the client, which really enhances the experience and benefits.

I can’t tell you how excited we are to have you join our team. But why is Auroraflow where you decided to bring your talents?

In the beginning of 2022, I decided I was finally going to make the scary transition from my secure job into full-time massage therapy and open my own practice. At about the same time I informed my employer of this decision, I discovered through Castle’s newsletter that she and Lauren were starting Auroraflow at about the same time I planned on going out on my own. I took this timing as the universe aligning me and Auroraflow to work together. I truly believe in the new spa model Auroraflow is building—inclusive, warm, accepting, accessible, genuine—particularly for all of us who are not comfortable or feel they belong in a typical spa environment or experience.

What are some challenges you faced during your career, and how did you overcome them?

Well, I finished my schooling and assignments right at the height of the pandemic and obtained my license in October 2020—that was a big disappointment to not be able to practice right away! But I also look at that as the universe telling me to slow down and be patient for what was to shortly come my way—a Thai massage! It has also certainly been challenging to transition out of a 25-year career into a career and way of working I have never experienced before. It’s a little scary, but ultimately very exciting to do what I love and to bring peace and healing into people's lives!

What is a quote you live by?

Well, I typically use some other noun expletives at the end of this statement (there are so many choices!), but basically and a more polite version: “Don’t be a jerk.”