Margaret Harstad shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Margaret, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Most days this past summer, I have made it a point to walk on the beach for at least an hour. This has brought me to my local beaches, such as Park Point and Wisconsin Point, but it has also brought me to the south shore and the Apostles. It is a delight to walk with my toes in the sand and feel whatever it is that the weather is doing on that particular day. I now have logged fourty days and its one of “the little things”.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have owned Muggymoose Massage and Thai Bodywork for twenty years. Our studio is small and specialized with four therapists. I take pride in my therapists’ work and believe in each and every one of them. We offer so many kinds of therapies: Thai Bodywork, Therapeutic Massage, Ayurvedic Bodywork and Consulting, Reiki, Myofascial Release, Shiatsu, Traditional Ashiatsu, Lymphatic Work, Chi Nei Tsang and Tok Sen. Over the past few years I have also started leading Thai Therapist trainings. These are 36 Hour trainings, teaching others the ancient therapy of Thai Massage. I offer Levels One and Two, with the opportunity to do Levels Three through Five in Minneapolis.
Our studio is located in the heart of Canal Park in Duluth. We take pride in working with our local client base as well as those that love to visit Duluth on a regular basis. We, as therapists, work as a team to make sure each client is on the right path to receiving the best therapy for them. I am so proud of the Muggymoose team.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The past year has been one of the hardest years that I have endured. My mom has been very ill and needing a ton of care. Historically, I have always been the person to “fix” these problems for her, jumping up and running to Minneapolis at the drop of a hat. This has been something I have always done and in some ways, it has affected my emotional health and my relationships with others.
Last fall, things really started falling apart for her and I responded as I usually would. Over time, I had a series of three really scary health problems, basically leaving me unable to work. I was unable to walk for a while, couldn’t use my left arm for a while and the last incident left me with a fever and high heart rate for months. Even though I have been doing this work for so long, I have never experienced the power of stress and anxiety in my own body so deeply. This body response I am convinced was a result of stress in my body.
This was my cue (after three issues over the course of a year) to set more firm boundaries for myself and realize the power of stress in the body. I know this of course, but I had never experienced it at this level. I really had to lean on other healers. I also really had to take time to walk the beaches and heal. I hope that others can also see the power of leaning on others to heal and hope that our studio can provide this to our clients.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most in my life is the lack of trusting and believing in myself.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe that our bodies want to be whole. Our bodies want to heal themselves. Sometimes we just need to honor them and give them the time we need. Doctors are important; they want to find answers and gather factual information to get to the answer. Sometimes there is not an answer. Sometimes the owner of the body needs to honor it, listen to it and give it time to find its path.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am in, on or next to the water.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.muggymoose.com
- Instagram: @muggymoose
- Facebook: @muggymoose
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@muggymoose
Image Credits
Hosanna Termaat
