Massage Therapy
2017
Retired U.S. Navy Veteran Finds New Passion in Massage Therapy
After serving in the U.S. Navy for 22 years and retiring as a Chief Aviation and Surface Warfare Specialist, Hector Ruiz worked in law enforcement. It was after an altercation with an inmate that left him with an injured back that he decided to leave the field and move in a very different direction.
“I had to have back surgery following the incident,” Ruiz said. “It took nearly a year of just rest and recovery to get back to normal.”
Following recovery, he moved into the fitness industry. It’s while working at Luke Air Force Base’s fitness center, Hector found something of a calling.
He enjoyed the many aspects of the industry, so Hector decided to continue his education as an adult learner in the Massage Therapy program and graduated in 2017. Like many students, his path to GateWay wasn’t exactly the most traditional.
“My decision to attend GateWay was mostly due to the video I watched on [GateWay’s] Massage Therapy website,” Ruiz said. “Mr. Tapscott explained the program, and he seemed very genuine and engaging – which he is!”
One part of the video struck a chord with Hector.
“I really liked the point he made of starting massaging on day one, and how his system of teaching was different than what you’d find at other schools,” Ruiz said.
Once Hector began his massage therapy schooling, some unexpected obstacles came to light.
“I was still working at the time, and late nights, too,” he said. “So, the biggest challenge I had was overcoming fatigue. But, luckily, the school’s extremely positive environment helped me through those days. That and coffee,” he said.
“If I have any advice for current students, even if they aren’t in the Massage Therapy program, it’s this: Have fun and enjoy your time at GateWay,” Ruiz said. “It will make learning so much easier!”
Today, Hector is enjoying his work as a Massage Therapist for a local chiropractor, stating, “I love being a licensed Massage Therapist, and GateWay made it all possible!”