Have you dreamed of moving to the west coast to enjoy a life where you can walk outside barefoot 24/7? Our barefoot Instructor-in-Training Ashley Shears has done just that! While we may be a little envious of that beach life, we’re excited to introduce her to you!

Your name

Ashley Shears

Pets? 

Although I’m currently pet-less, I had many pets growing up! I had 2 cocker spaniels (Sam & Sadie), 1 black lab (Scotty), 2 cats (Oscar & Misty), 4 finches (Minnie, Mickey, Daisy, & Donald) [My family loved Disney!], and a hamster my brother named Muffin. 

Tell us about your family too.

I grew up in a small railroad town in northeast Indiana. Though my family was small (just my brother and me), we had lots of cousins which made it seem like our family was huge! Most of my family still lives in my small town with the exception of my brother, who lives in Colorado, and myself. 

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

I wanted to be a world traveler! My fascination with traveling started when my parents drove us down to Disney World. I was about eight years old. We’d also drive up to Canada to my grandma’s lake cottage. There was always so much to see and I fell in love with everything about all the places–the peaches in Georgia, French speakers and maple leaf flags in Canada, the mountains peeking out of the smoke in Tennessee.

It all makes me so happy! When I grew a little older I wanted to be a nurse so I could help people. Growing up my dad was always in and out of hospitals so I was comfortable in that setting and thought it’d make a good career.

Fast forward to college, where I majored in nursing, but quickly found it wasn’t for me. I graduated with a degree in Health & Safety and soon after found massage 🙂 

Where do you teach?

I’ll be teaching in Laguna Hills, California at my business, The Compassionate Touch! 

What’s cool about your city (or fun things to do)?

Laguna Hills is located in the southern part of Orange County, California near Laguna Canyon and Laguna Beach. It’s not a very big city, which I love coming from a small town, but I love it because it’s almost always sunny, not too far from the beaches, and I have a perfect view of the mountains wherever I go. By car, it’s about an hour south to San Diego and about an hour a half north to Los Angeles. 

Which classes do you teach? 

I’m currently finishing my training to teach FUNdamentals and am already looking forward to teaching some of the more advanced courses. 

How has doing barefoot massage changed your career? 

Barefoot massage has SAVED my career! Like many massage therapists, I started experiencing burnout from long days of super deep massage work. Even with excellent body mechanics, the workload was too much for my poor shoulders. I felt so helpless! A friend suggested Ashiatsu to me so I signed up and just hoped that I liked it. Turns out, I LOVED it! For me, it was so much easier than hands-on work. Having been a dancer for most of my youth, I felt (and still feel) like a dancer when I was on the table. Plus, I love being barefoot! 

What do you love about teaching barefoot massage?

I love sharing in the joy students feel when they realize that massage doesn’t have to be exhausting and strenuous, but can be fun and exciting!

I love seeing their growth from day one to day three–the confidence and ease in their movements and the happiness in their faces. It really warms my heart to be able to help therapists save their bodies and extend their careers, just as my instructors helped me to do the same. 

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

Travel the world! 

Hobbies?

I love old Hollywood and most everything vintage–movies, music, cars, clothes, jewelry, hairstyles.. you name it! If it was around between the 1920’s through the 1980’s, I’m probably a fan.

One of my favorite things is to read biographies or autobiographies of old Hollywood actors and any other prolific people from that time period. 

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

My mom taught me to drive a stick shift in my brother’s jeep when I was 17. That was super cool!

Any tips to keep yourself healthy as a massage therapist?

The best thing I do is to listen to my body. If my body is telling me to eat more greens or protein, that’s what I do. If it’s thirsty, water is my best friend. If it needs to move I usually do yoga, lift weights, go for a hike, or whatever it needs to feel good and healthy.

And if it’s tired, I rest or go to the beach. I do my best not to push my boundaries because, as a go-getter, I tend to push too much and I’ve learned that it almost always seems to end up with me in bed with an injury or an illness and no one has time for that! 

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

I’ve seen every episode of all seven seasons of The Golden Girls. Sometimes I quote and reference them as if they’re real people in my life. 

What are your favorite foods?

I love most foods… except dill pickles and Pepsi. 

Where can people schedule an appointment with you?

Though California has been my home in my heart for many years, I’ve only just moved here. So, unfortunately, my scheduling has been put on pause until my new space is up and running. 

Where can people find you?

To learn more about Ashley, check out her Instructor page on CBM! 

And her website is SoleCal Barefoot Massage

Follow Ashley on social media!

🌎SoleCal Barefoot Massage: Insta  &  Facebook

🌎SoCal Barefoot Massage Training: Insta  &  Facebook

Ashley’s official bio

Ashley Shears, LMT has practiced massage since 2009 and has been a certified barefoot massage practitioner since 2015. She specializes in Ashiatsu massage and Sarga Bodywork.

With her athletic background in dance, yoga, weight lifting, and running, she strives to show her clients compassion through the art of barefoot massage so they can heal and gain body awareness to live their healthiest lives. She combines her knowledge, education, and personal experience to customize each client’s session to fit their individual needs.

Ashley obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Health and Safety degree from the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana and is licensed by the states of Kentucky (KY – #110677) and California (CAMTC – #78231). She is also nationally certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and holds additional certifications in prenatal massage, Integrative Reflexology®, and is also a Reiki Master practitioner.