{"id":3705,"date":"2025-09-21T13:55:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T19:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/texasmassageacademy.blog\/?p=3705"},"modified":"2026-01-15T21:14:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T03:14:01","slug":"shawna-farris-texas-massage-academy-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texasmassageacademy.com\/blog\/shawna-farris-texas-massage-academy-story\/","title":{"rendered":"💆‍♀️ Meet Shawna Farris: From Stay-at-Home Mom to Spa Therapist Living Her Dream"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How This TMA Graduate Overcame Pandemic Challenges, Long Drives & Doubt to Find Her Calling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

🛑 From Family Focused to Career-Driven<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After dedicating 15 years to raising her children as a stay-at-home mom, Shawna Farris<\/strong> knew it was time to do something just for her<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She didn\u2019t take the easy road. She didn\u2019t wait for the \u201cperfect time.\u201d She chose to leap \u2014 right into massage therapy school \u2014 in the middle of a global pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI spent 15 years as a stay-at-home mom,\u201d Shawna said. \u201cI decided it was time to do something for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And what a leap it was. Shawna enrolled in Texas Massage Academy\u2019s 675-hour Elite Program<\/strong>, exceeding the 500-hour state minimum because she wanted more than just the basics<\/strong> \u2014 she wanted to truly understand, practice, and master massage therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

💪 Going to School in the Middle of COVID<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When Shawna joined TMA, it wasn\u2019t business as usual.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Her class was the first to begin during COVID-19<\/strong>, a time when most schools were switching to remote learning or pausing instruction altogether. But Texas Massage Academy stayed open with safe, in-person classes<\/strong>, because we know how important hands-on experience is in this profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cIt was hard,\u201d Shawna said. \u201cBut we showed up every day, masked up, distanced, and ready to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That dedication \u2014 from both the students and the instructors \u2014 created a special kind of community. A group of people united by purpose, working through unprecedented challenges together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

🚗 The Commute: Over an Hour Each Way, 4 Days a Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As if a pandemic wasn\u2019t enough, Shawna was also commuting over an hour each way<\/strong> from San Angelo to Brownwood<\/strong> \u2014 four days a week<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s more than 500 miles on the road every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most people would call that unreasonable. But for Shawna? It was worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cI enjoyed being challenged, learning new things, and meeting new people,\u201d she shared. \u201cAll the instructors were kind, helpful, knowledgeable, and patient.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

She built her schedule around class. She showed up ready to work. And when doubts crept in, she trusted the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThere will be times you feel so confused,\u201d she said. \u201cTrust yourself and the instructors. It will make sense. It\u2019s worth it!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
\"Pictures<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

💆‍♀️ A Lightbulb Moment in the Treatment Room<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like many students, Shawna had her moment \u2014 the one where everything clicked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cMy second client during internship came in looking so grumpy,\u201d she recalled. \u201cAfter I was finished and she opened the door, she had a smile. Her whole demeanor had changed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s the power of massage. And for Shawna, it was a powerful confirmation that she\u2019d made the right decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That one session reminded her why she\u2019d pushed through COVID, why she drove so far, and why learning the deeper techniques was worth every late night, every early morning, and every mile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

✨ Where She Is Now: Living the Dream<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Shawna<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Today, Shawna is exactly where she wants to be \u2014 working at The Palladian Day Spa in San Angelo<\/strong>, doing what she loves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her specialties include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n