20 Questions with Danielle

Get to know more about Danielle Taylor, LMT! She's available Wed and Fri 9:00 - 2:00 and Sun 12:00 - 5:00 for massage therapy and Corrective Exercise.

What made you decide on a career in massage therapy?
I would have been a massage therapist right out of high school because it had always fascinated me, but my family convinced me to get a BA. I got a BA in Art Studio with a minor in Theater Production, and became the VP of Marketing and Business Development for a geotechnical consulting firm. I hated it. When my husband was offered a job in Portland, I agreed to the move only if I could take some time to be with our kids and figure out my next steps. When the kids went to school full-time, my husband reminded me that I had wanted to do massage forever (we've been married since we were 17, so he knows me better than anyone), and encouraged me to go to school.  

How long have you lived in Oregon? Have you lived in any other states?
We moved here in 2011. We've also lived in a few places in California, mostly pretty rural, and in Pittsburgh, PA. I was born in Nashville, TN.

Tell me three of your favorite restaurants in the area, and your go-to menu item from each.
We don't eat at restaurants much because of my dietary restrictions, but I'll say Ikenohana: sashimi; Mingo: brussels sprout salad with a fried egg; Ground Breaker Brewery: anything safe for me!  

What music do you enjoy listening to when you’re not giving a massage?
Just about anything that's not pop. I love all kinds of hip hop, rock, classical, country, jazz, but I tend to enjoy the non-mainstream (aside from the occasional pop dance party with my daughter).  

Other than being a Massage Therapist Extraordinaire, do you have any other hobbies or talents?
Too many. I belly dance, sing, play guitar, bass, and drums, read, garden... I'm also really good at real life tetris situations, like packing a car or rearranging furniture.

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Favorite Quote?

"Go banana!" ~Ralph Wiggum ​

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What was the last good book you read, and why did you enjoy it?
I read so much, I can never remember. Right now, I'm reading "Off to Be the Wizard" by Scott Meyer, which I'm enjoying because it's really funny and easy to read at the end of my very busy days.

What is your favorite massage technique to use?
This seems like a slightly unfair question, so I'll give a slightly unfair answer: whatever seems to work! 

What is your spirit animal and why?
Blue Heron, because, without the heron in the pond near my house, I might not have made it through massage school. 

What is your perfect way to spend a rainy day in Oregon?
Coffee and a big, snuggly, reading pile with kids, dogs, husband, and blankies. ​

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What is the corniest joke you know?
You know why you never see elephants hiding up in trees? Because they're really good at it.​

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​What is your go-to karaoke song?
Summertime 

Describe the perfect pizza.
Any pizza I can eat! But, if I was dreaming, it would be thin crust with lots of veggies, cheese, pesto, and a smattering of pepperoni and sausage. 

Tell me a fun or interesting fact about massage therapy.
I'm pretty convinced that massage has more to do with a person's brain and proprioceptors than it does with muscle tissue. I guess that's not really a fact, though, as much as an opinion, at this point. 

What was the last TV show that you binge-watched?
Love Your Garden 

Before you started studying massage therapy, what was your favorite subject in school?
Biology 

Do you have a favorite stand-up comedian? 
George Carlin or Craig Ferguson. 

What is your definition of a good massage?
One that addresses whatever my top issue is at the moment, and by a person who I feel is listening to my needs. 

What is your favorite (or dream) vacation spot?
On the beach, under a huge umbrella (because I burn like nobody's business), with a cool drink, watching my children play as they're supervised by someone other than me. 

Finally, what is a weird/fun/little-known fact about you?
I'm not sure it's little-known, but I'm a dedicated nerd. I still play Dungeons and Dragons with my family. 
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