Today we’d like to introduce you to Kanjana Radtke.
Kanjana, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Thailand and always dreamt that one day I will visit the USA. A few years after graduating from high school, I started my traveling. I went to Europe, the Middle East and returned to Asia just after I turned 21 years old. Finally, I got a job that brought me to the US.
And just like many others I found a man, fell in love and got married and officially became a Floridian. I was living in Miami, working as a server for many years until I became a restaurant manager. I enjoyed working in the restaurant business but as we all know it’s long hours of work and you don’t really have time to enjoy your life to the fullest. I told myself that one day I will do something different. I always wanted to change my career but I had no idea what I wanted to do. That is, until one day, when I made the decision to become a massage therapist.
Why massage therapy? Since I was young, I have always loved receiving and giving massages myself. My friends and family always told me that I had good hands and that I should pursue a career in it. Fast forward through some intensive training and certification in Thailand and now I’m a Licensed Massage Therapist and have my own studio in Fort Lauderdale.
Has it been a smooth road?
Life in the USA is never smooth. You may not believe but when I first came here, I only had $250 in my pockets—just barely enough for the first month’s rent back then that I was sharing with a friend. But I always believe that as long as we work hard and are patient, we could get through anything. My first day working here I made $60 and immediately I opened a bank account with that money at Wachovia (anyone remember that name?). I then deposited what I made every day for two months until I had a decent amount saved up. After getting married, I moved in with my husband at the time but after three and half years things between us did not work out. We fell apart and I moved out, leaving with my clothes and the debts that we had.
After the divorce, I was completely broke but thankfully still had my job. I relocated myself with some friends until I saved enough money to get my own apartment. I was planning to go to massage school but unfortunately most schools were unaffordable to me at the time and and taking out yet another loan was completely out of the question. I saved and saved and saved until I had enough money for the school. Things were getting better as I was in a new relationship and remarried.
The struggle really started though, when after five weeks in massage school I found out that I was also five weeks pregnant. How did I see myself at that time? 8:30am to 3pm I was a full-time student and the goal was to become a massage therapist. 4pm to 12am I was working at the restaurant as a manager. At the same time I was the only daughter supporting my family back in Thailand as well. Those were the longest six months of my life. What I learned at that time was…never give up and tell yourself that you can do it. I took the state test a month after I graduated from massage school and I passed, while seven months pregnant. All I was thinking was, “YES YES, I MADE IT.”
Please tell us more about your work. What do you do? What do you specialize in? What sets you apart from competition?
Currently, I am a licensed massage therapist and have a studio in downtown Fort Lauderdale called The 1 Thai Massage. I specialize in Traditional Thai Massage because I grew up giving my grandparents massages and was convinced that I was good at it. My first Thai Massage teacher worked at Wat Pho, the first Thai Massage school in Bangkok. As a teenager, I never thought that one day I would become a massage therapist in the USA.
I am proud of my work. Most of the feedback I’ve gotten has been compliments about my Thai Massage; it helps many people with their health conditions. My intention has always been to provide the best quality, personalized service to each and every one of my clients. What makes my work different? I combine Traditional Thai Massage techniques with both Eastern and Western medicines to assure the effectiveness of the sessions for my clients.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love living here as the quality of life is great and we have many people living here from all over the world. I love the diversity of the beautiful weather we have and yes I can have my own garden and grow all the vegetables that I like, just like living in Thailand. I dislike driving here as so many people from all over the world sharing the street and they all think they can drive just like back home.
Contact Info:
- Address: The 1 Thai Massage Studio Elements 315 NE 3rd Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- Website: www.the1thaimassage.com
- Phone: 7864478300
- Email: booking@the1thaimassage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1thaimassage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the1.thaimasage/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-1-thai-massage-studio-elements-fort-lauderdale
Image Credit:
Jack/Coastalphotographynaples
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