Meet Tiger Tuchel (they/them)
I grew up in Stillwater MN, as part of a multi-generational household and close-knit, blended and extended family full of creative, nurturing people. One thing I love about my family is we have a motto that goes “if there’s room for one more, there’s room for two more. If there’s room for two more, there’s room for three…” We genuinely enjoy each other’s company, and love sharing food with friends old and new (also, literally everyone in my family is an amazing cook).
In 2013, I graduated from Prescott College in Prescott, AZ with a degree that I got to design myself. I struggled to narrow my focus, and my exasperated advisor told me that rather than dropping out (which I threatened to do a few times), I should just try to put my studies together under a cohesive title—the best I could manage was a “bachelor of arts in human consciousness through literature, philosophy, and religion, with a minor in alternative education”. Since graduating I’ve bounced many times between the Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, and the Midwest, living in houses and tents and vehicles, traveling by plane, car, greyhound, and thumb.
I’ve had a lot of different jobs so far in my life—preschool teacher, house cleaner, life drawing model, camp counselor, trail builder, nanny, dog walker, farm worker, house painter, arborist, and front and back of house in many, many restaurants. Through it all, I felt like bodywork was something I needed to do.
I made the decision to start massage school, and in early 2018 I moved to Portland, OR to study at East West College of the Healing Arts. In the fall of 2019 I graduated, got my massage license, and started my first job as an LMT/chiropractic assistant. The pandemic threw a wrench into my plans, and everyone in the clinic was laid off indefinitely. I stepped away from bodywork of a while—but I missed it (a lot!) and started offering massage to friends and family to get back into it and rebuild my confidence. In late fall of 2022, I started working at Threshold, which is where I’ve had the fortune of meeting so many of you wonderful folks.
What is something you love about being a massage therapist?
I love connecting with my clients, hearing their stories, and offering a space for them to connect with their body in a positive way. Intake time is very important to me! It’s truly amazing that someone will come in stressed, sad, anxious, and in pain, and by the end of our time together they’re feeling grounded, centered, and present, with more ease in their body. I really enjoy sharing information and stretches with my clients. If you’ve got questions, I want to hear them!
What does “trauma informed” mean to you?
I think that everyone has experienced trauma, and how we carry that will be different from person to person. This is part of why I care so much about having a meaningful intake session—I want to know about your history, your concerns, your questions, and your goals for our work together. I want to know what kind of pressure you’d like, and if there’s any part of your body that you don’t want touched today. Good communication is key before, during, and after the session. My clients should always feel like they’re in control.
How do you describe your massage style?
My style usually involves broad swedish strokes to warm up, followed by triggerpoint work; I also like employing myofascial techniques, as well as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. In 2022 I learned fire cupping and gua sha from Kim Hart at Adagio Holistic Therapies and I love sharing these modalities with my clients, especially if they’ve never tried them before. I’m currently working my way through a 300-hour Thai Yoga Bodywork training with Tanya Boigenzahn at Devanadi Yoga, and bringing these teachings to the table has been met with rave client reviews.
What are your future plans for massage? What are you studying?
I’m hoping to finish up my Thai training by the end of 2024, and I’m really looking forward to offering Thai Bodywork sessions when I’ve gotten a bit further in this practice. Beyond that, I’m curious about lymphatic drainage massage, working in hospice settings, and expanding on my limited experience with craniosacral therapy. There’s always more to learn, and I love that so much.
