Sara in St. Louis is the owner of Sole Shine Barefoot Massage, located in an eclectic neighborhood in St. Louis. Fun fact: she has a very large painted plaster foot outside her office (see it in the photo of her studio)!

Your name

Sara Newberry 

Tell us about your pets.

2 Cats- Sully & Weekend (Their names came from the shelter. Weekend is unusual and I thought surely my kids would change her name but it stuck. She came in with a litter on the weekend (hence her name) but her brothers and sisters were all named Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Weekend We ended up with Weekend) 1 Dog- Mickey. He’s super old and barks a lot

Tell us about your family!

I have 2 kids, 1 stepdaughter. I’m a single mom of two with an amazing partner named Stephen. My mom passed away almost 3 years ago and I’ve been a guide for others going through the grief process since then. 

What did you want to be when you grew up and why?

I oscillated between a dance choreographer and an ocean photographer despite not knowing how to swim and the thought of being on a boat in the middle of the ocean now–makes me want to barf. 😝

Where do you teach?

St. Louis, MO Sole Shine Barefoot Massage Therapy 

What’s cool about your city?

St. Louis is a diamond in the heart of the country. To fly anywhere in the US, takes less than 4 hours. We have the City Museum and our zoo is FREE!

We have a huge blues music scene and tons of French inspiration due to the Mississippi and the direct line to New Orleans. The architecture here is breathtaking. 

Which classes do you teach?

FUNdamentals, Intermediate, Fijian, co-creator of Hot Ashi, and pregnancy massage (hands-on). Read more about Hot Ashi here!

How has doing barefoot massage changed your career?

I’m continually inspired. There’s so much to continue to create and learn, the possibilities are endless! It just makes sense to use your feet!! 

What do you love about teaching barefoot massage?

I love seeing the light in my students’ eyes when they realize they no longer have to use their hands and tax their body!

I also love the challenge of creating new ways to explain a concept. 

Other than doing barefoot massage until you die, what would you do when it comes time to retire?

Operate Sole Shine. And maybe travel. And go hiking. And hang out with my kids. 

What are your hobbies?

Kids, Dancing, Live music, gardening, reading (i love books!), cooking 

Can you drive a stick shift, scooter, motorcycle, boat? 

I own a scooter but I don’t get to ride it much now that I have kiddos! 

Any tips to keep yourself healthy as a massage therapist?

Healthy eating, stay curious about your own health and well-being, never think you know everything because you don’t

What’s a random thing that most people don’t know about you? 

I don’t know how to swim and I’m allergic to onions 😁.

What are your favorite foods?

I eat mostly paleo & AIP due to an auto-immune condition. I love cooking and food! I love Asian inspired fusions. 

Where have you been published?

✓ Podcast: 2 Massage Therapists

✓ Facebook: The Conscious Dying Network

✓ St. Louis Counselling Podcast: Mental Health Matters

✓ Mentioned in our blog about the World Massage Festival  and was quoted in this Center for Barefoot Massage blog.

Sara’s using our strap for excellent body mechanics, heat and joint movement.

Where can people schedule an appointment with you?

Visit us at Soleshinemassage.com, in the heart of “MapleWeird” (AKA Maplewood, MO).

Where can people find you?

🌎 Instructor training website: MWTraining

🌎 MY CBM Instructor page

🌎 Facebook: MWMassageTraining

🌎 Facebook: Sole Shine Massage Therapy

🌎 Insta: Sole Shine Barefoot Massage

🌎 Insta: Midwest Massage Training Center

Sara’s official bio:

I have a thriving and growing practice in St. Louis, MO. Each one of my employees has an individual coaching session with me every month in order to inspire, collaborate, and to create the best environment for them. My practice is currently at a turning point and about to see another layer of growth that I have been cultivating for a little while now.

I’m really excited to see what the next 10, 20, 30 years as a massage therapist in business will bring. I also am active in my local and women-owned businesses communities, striving to make connections between entrepreneurs, including starting a semi-monthly networking and mastermind group.

Outside of my massage practice, I am a single mom. I love to experience nature with my kids. I love to read, and I love to learn about urban homesteading. I believe in constantly growing and that we are never fully grown.

There is always something to learn and something to discover.

Remember, this profession should be a reflection of who you are and what you wish to accomplish. Let me help you allow that to shine through.