Timothy Peckinpaugh Receives the 2023 NHI/Stopain® Clinical Melissa Wheeler AMTA Scholarship
Timothy Peckinpaugh represents California at the AMTA 2023 National Convention
Timothy Peckinpaugh, a graduate of the Core Massage Therapy Training Program from NHI Ontario, was selected as the 2023 recipient of the National Holistic Institute/Stopain® Clinical Melissa Wheeler AMTA Scholarship.
The Melissa Wheeler AMTA Scholarship, sponsored by National Holistic Institute (NHI) and Stopain® Clinical, covers the cost for one NHI senior or graduate to attend the annual American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) National Convention, providing the recipient with access to industry leaders, educational sessions, networking venues and hands-on experience with professional products. The scholarship is named after Melissa Wheeler, a long time NHI instructor and 2010 AMTA Jerome Perlinski Teacher of the Year.
This year’s AMTA National Convention was in Phoenix, AZ from August 24-26, 2023.
Hear from Timothy, as he recalls his amazing experience.
I am Beyond Thrilled, Grateful and Humbled
I am beyond thrilled, grateful, and humbled to have won the National Holistic Institute/Stopain® Clinical Melissa Wheeler AMTA Scholarship sponsored by NHI, Massage Warehouse, and Stopain® Clinical. When I learned about the AMTA Scholarship, I knew it would provide an amazing opportunity to attend the AMTA 2023 National Convention, where I would learn from experts in the field, practice new techniques, and then take all I learned back to my clients to better serve them.
Timothy Peckinpaugh connects with Queennie Baquir, the 2022 recipient of the National Holistic Institute/Stopain® Clinical Melissa Wheeler AMTA Scholarship
I believe that the good we put out into the world rings on and on. This guiding principle, or as AMTA President Christine Bailor-Goodlander so eloquently called it, “my True North,” inspires me to show up to every single session and work my heart out, so I can provide the highest quality treatments possible to my clients, so they can then in turn show up as the best versions of themselves. For me, continually learning all I can allows me to to better serve my clients, and attending the AMTA 2023 National Convention gave me a chance like no other to do just that.
Learning from World Class Experts Renewed My Commitment to Never Stop Growing in My Practice
As soon as I arrived in Phoenix, I felt the thrill of it all. I met massage therapists from across the nation, all of whom travelled and took the time to attend the convention because of their dedication to our profession. It felt great to connect with colleagues, learn from each other, and make connections that I know will serve us all going forward. I met therapists who have been in the field for over 30 years; talk about inspiring! Learning from world class experts renewed my commitment to never stop growing in my practice.
The main speakers provided inspiring and energizing content. The overall theme of the convention was Limitless, and each speaker argued that our potentials are boundless. To begin, keynote speaker, Emma Lovewell encouraged us to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others.
Next, Ben Nemtin argued we can accomplish any goal if we put our entire being into making it happen, and also that in holding elevated visions for our own lives, in becoming the best versions of ourselves, we can transform that passion we feel into helping others.
Lastly, a panel of medical experts were the final speakers, and they discussed advocacy in advancing massage therapy to give the field a seat at the medical table, and to demand its inclusion as a consideration in caring for a person’s entire health. I found the discussion inspirational, and it left me hopeful that we can carve out a space for massage therapy in the healthcare field.
Attending the AMTA 2023 National Convention was an Unforgettable Experience
The classes were rich and rewarding, and I will take something from each of them back to my practice. I learned about Craniosacral therapy, a modality which I knew little about. We did an exercise where we placed our hands on our partner, and then concentrated on giving energy, taking it away, coming from neutral, and finally intentionally distracting ourselves, then discussed with our partners if they could feel the difference between each. It was a great reminder of our need to be fully present in any modality by grounding ourselves and re-grounding ourselves when necessary.
I took a class on massage for pain management, which discussed the usual culprits behind major pathologies, such as thoracic outlet syndrome and plantar facilities. The two hands-on classes I took, Massage Therapy Techniques for the Head and Neck and Soft Tissue Release allowed me to work with therapists from across the nation, learning and practicing new techniques on each other, and gaining insights from their expertise. Discussing massage with therapists of various backgrounds and experience levels offered me so many new perspectives and insights.
Timothy Peckinpaugh (center) with NHI President & CEO, Mikkel Dixon (left) and NHI Co-Owner, Tim Veitzer (right)
Attending the AMTA 2023 National Convention was an unforgettable experience, and I am filled with so much gratitude to have been chosen to represent NHI. Ancient wisdom tells us that to whom much is given, much is required, and I feel the best way to repay the debt I owe massage therapy and NHI is to represent my profession with the utmost respect, integrity, and validation, which includes accepting no less than to act as and to be treated as the trained professionals that we are.
I pledge to all that have awarded me with this unforgettable experience, and to all that helped me get here, that I will represent our profession in the best way I possibly can. I accept this beautiful recognition with reverence for our profession, an eye on the future of massage therapy, and, as with everything I do, a heart filled with gratitude.
I am re-energized, passionate, and even more excited about massage therapy, thanks to the convention, and can’t wait to attend next year in Tampa!
Connect with Timothy on Instagram @timothy.peckinpaugh
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