Meet the Team : Patience O'Neill

Hey Patience! We are so glad to have you as part of the team. Can you share a bit about yourself?

I’m from here; I grew up in Carrboro/Chapel Hill, though I have been calling Durham my home for the past 8 years or so. Outside of my career as a massage therapist, I involve myself in a lot of art. I enjoy both being an artist and experiencing other people’s art. I consider myself a Jane-of-all-trades artist, focusing more on movement-based performance art and general play and exploration, with the occasional clothing or costume project here or there. Lately, I’ve spent more time backstage and in the dream development stage, which I’m enjoying for the time being. Other than that, I like games, dancing, good people, travel, and food with friends and family.

What brought you to massage therapy?

Massage has been a part of my life since I was a teenager, and giving massage trades with friends was always a popular thing, thus becoming something I kept in my back pocket until later in life when I met someone via the theater scene who found that their massage career fit really well with the theater work they did. This inspired me to look into massage school. When I contacted Body Therapy Institute, I felt very invited, and the process just kind of went easily from there on out; all I had to do was just ride the wind. After having done it now for 8+ years, I see just how well the things I like about myself all lend themselves so perfectly to what I believe makes a good massage therapist.

What made you decide to bring your talents to Auroraflow?

When I first heard about Auroraflow and how it was to be a queer-owned, values-based spa looking to make a point to be more accessible for marginalized communities in Durham, I said, “Oh, we need that,"  and whenever I tell people about Auroraflow, I tend to hear the same response. Furthermore, it became clear to me right away that the ownership is interested and invested in fully supporting their workers, knowing that such support can only lead to better relationships, services, and community, and all together, a better environment for everyone. I feel fully listened to and am super glad I get to be an actual part of what makes Auroraflow what it is.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?

Other than that, I like to play games: tabletop, board, and video. I try to catch as many games with my niece and nephew as possible and love meeting up with people for game nights. I like to go out dancing when I'm able. I love to travel when I get the chance. In '21, I was fortunate enough to be able to drive around the states, focusing on the western half of things, swooping south to Arizona, winding up through Nevada and California, seeing some beautiful desert and majestic red woods, making my way to a luscious rain forest in Washington, weaving my way back down through Utah and New Mexico and having my mind blown, and then b-lining it back home. I feel like I need to make such a trip at least every two years. With all of that, most of my time outside of massage is simply spent going on walks or meeting up with friends and family for food and conversation.