When most people think about getting a massage, they picture spa music, candles, and cucumber water.

Me? I think of it as performance work.

I was in Miami recently for a work trip and stayed at Carillon Wellness. The place is basically a playground for recovery—cold plunges, saunas, movement labs, red light therapy. I decided to book a few massages during the week, mostly just to unwind after back-to-back flights and meetings.

But what I thought would be some chill downtime turned into a bit of an eye-opener.

These massages weren’t fluff. They were full-on recalibrations.

Each one hit different, and by the end of the week, I felt like I’d done a hard reset on my body. The aches from travel, training tightness, the mental buzz from being on all day—it all got stripped away.

And it reminded me of something I say to clients all the time:

The more you push, the more recovery becomes your edge.

Here’s how each session stacked up—and how you can use this stuff to level up.

1. Sports Massage – Tactical, Not Relaxing
This was the first one I booked. And let’s be real—“relaxing” isn’t the word I’d use. It was deep, borderline uncomfortable at times, but in a good way.

The therapist honed in on all the usual suspects: hip flexors, traps, calves. Anywhere that gets hammered from lifting, sitting, or flying. They used deep pressure, active release, and some assisted stretching.

What stood out:

Released knots that were limiting my range of motion

Reset muscle imbalances from training

Left me moving better almost instantly

Who this is for:

Lifters and runners who want to recover faster

Desk jockeys with locked-up posture

Anyone who feels stiff, tight, or like their body isn’t moving right

Pro Tip:
If you train consistently, a monthly sports massage isn’t a luxury—it’s maintenance. Think of it like rotating your tires. You don’t have to do it… until something breaks.

2. Oriental Massage – Grounding, Not What I Expected
I booked this one just to try something different. I’d heard of Tui Na (a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine), but had no clue what to expect.

Turns out? Total nervous system reset.

This session focused on energy flow, not just muscle. Rhythmic motions, stretches, pressure points—it felt more like bodywork for your internal systems than just working out soreness.

I walked out of there feeling like I had just meditated for three hours—calm, clear, and present.

What stood out:

Shifted me into deep parasympathetic mode (rest/digest)

Eased up tension I didn’t even realize I was holding

My sleep that night? Best I’d had in months

Who this is for:

High-stress professionals, parents, entrepreneurs

Anyone running on too much caffeine and too little sleep

People who feel anxious, wired, or constantly “on”

Pro Tip:
Go in with an open mind. This isn’t a fix-it style massage—it’s a “plug back into yourself” kind of session. One of the most powerful things I’ve done for nervous system recovery.

3. Traditional Massage – The Tie-In
This one came last in the week. At this point, I’d done contrast therapy daily, moved regularly, and had already hit two other bodywork sessions.

I was already feeling solid—this just sealed the deal.

It wasn’t overly deep or “energy” focused. It was smooth, intentional, and just what I needed to feel totally recharged.

What stood out:

Full-body muscle release

Great sleep and recovery after

Mental space to actually slow down and be present

Who this is for:

Anyone coming off a high-output week

People stacking recovery tools (think cold plunge → sauna → massage)

Those who want a solid monthly “reset” for body and mind

Pro Tip:
Don’t wait for burnout. Use traditional massage as a recovery enhancer. Stack it on a rest day after a tough training week and see how much better you feel 24 hours later.

Recovery Is the ROI Most People Skip
I coach a lot of high-performers—execs, athletes, parents, business owners.

They’re elite at pushing. But almost all of them suck at recovery.

They wait until they’re burned out, beat up, or injured before they pull back. But if you build in recovery before the wheels fall off? That’s where you get your edge.

Massage therapy isn’t about pampering yourself. It’s about unlocking better performance, better energy, and a more resilient body.

Just like:

Training builds strength

Nutrition fuels your body

Cold exposure sharpens your mind

Massage brings it all together

Bottom Line: Touch Matters More Than You Think
You don’t need to hit up a resort to get these benefits. You just need a plan.

Here’s how to make it part of your routine:

Book one massage a month. Alternate sports and traditional.

Use massage after high-volume weeks or heavy training blocks.

Try new styles. What you need will change with stress, training, and seasons.

Stack your recovery. Massage works best when it’s part of a bigger system (sleep, sauna, cold, nutrition, movement).

If you’re serious about performance, looking good, and staying sharp—it’s not optional.