E-Street Interview John M Maiers, LMT
I met John a while ago while communicating with his significant other, Helena. I became fascinated with how they live their lives, his work in film and T.V. as well his involvement in community. I felt like his views held something for us all. Please enjoy a little glimpse into his very full life. -- Deanna Mims
Interview Date: 8/16/2019
Business Name: Earth Haven Massage & Bodywork
Position: Owner & Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified CORE Myofascial Therapist, Certified Thai Yoga Massage Practitioner, Bodyworker, Reiki Master and Reiki Practitioner.
Email: EarthHavenMassage@gmail.com
Phone: (850) 491-7469
Website: http://www.earthhavenmassage.com/
How do you give back to your community - thru your work and beyond?
Community is life. As a Licensed Massage Therapist, and US Navy Veteran, I daily promote healthy living and wellness. I have learned so much as a graduate of CORE Institute School of Massage Therapy & Structural Bodywork completing the 525 hour Professional Massage Therapy Training Program and 48 hour CORE Myofascial Therapy Certification. I am able to share with the community my knowledge of Relaxation/Swedish Massage, Structural Integration, Medical Massage, Chinese Medicine, Sports Bodywork, Myofascial Therapy, Clinical Massage, Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Pathology, Hydrotherapy, Wellness, Professional Ethics, Business Management, and State Regulations.
I also learned so much in my training to become a Certified Thai Yoga Practitioner that I am able to share daily with the community. During my 500 hours in training from the Thai Yoga Center at the SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine, I learned ways that I am able to share my art and knowledge with the community. This includes various elements of Thai Yoga Therapy massage training such as Ayurvedic SomaVeda®, Nuad Boran: Northern Style SomaVeda® Thai Yoga, and Theory such as Cosmology, Sen Lines, Assessments, Indications, Contra-indications, Chakra Theory and Korosot Astrology.
I am also able to share my knowledge of Hand and Foot Reflexology that I have learned thru The Academy of Ancient Reflexology and Thai Table Massage from Ariela's Thai Massage Program. I also am a member and participate in organizations such as the International Thai Therapists Association (ITTA), Bodhi Sangha Tallahassee, and an Insured member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). I am an Authorized Blessed Full Member, Lay Minister, Counselor, and Therapist of the Oklevueha Native American Church of SomaVeda College of Natural Medicine (ONACS). I am also able to share knowledge with the community as I am also a Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master/Teacher through Healing Today with the New Universal Church and Natural Healers Association (NUNHA). I am excited that I have had the opportunity to perform sports massage bodywork on the United States Olympic Dive Team Athletes and regularly works on the Florida State University Football Program Athletes. To be able to give back and provide wellness for people in the community is a privilege.
Beyond my work, I also give back to the community as a volunteer actor in commercials, films, webseries, podcasts, voiceovers, and television shows. I love working with the public and promoting wellness, healthy living, ballroom dancing, veteran support, as well as other opportunities. Productions include The Legion of Ru, Merciless Willing, Mars One, Mercy, Heroes Not Forgotten, Stiffs, Ballroom and Beyond, See No Evil, Careless, Crystal Gazer, Creatures: A True Story, Final Thoughts, Glitch, Strange Stories with Kennedy Shores, Down with Friends, Tears of Blood, Alabama Epitaphs, Charlie on Cloud Nine, Scarlet’s Witch, Pancakes, Chronos, When the Night Falls, The Night Shift, and Slice. I also help Florida State University’s film school being a volunteer actor and dance consultant for productions such as Finale, Roadkill, Jesse and Jane, Power, Yada Yada, Chain Music, PUL, Pirates, My Girl Rose, Whatever We Want to Be, Fathers & Daughters, Possibly, The Non-Importance of Being Earnest, R.E.M., Mens Universitas, Victorian’s Secret, and The Good, The Bad, The Old. I also volunteer to help at many film festivals such as Tally Shorts and the Tallahassee Film Festival.
I am able to have the privilege to be able to connect and give back to the local community and beyond by being a part of commercials and educational episodes. Educational episodes such as VALOR for Blue, Suicide Prevention for Distressed Veterans, and commercials with Hungry Howies, Warhouse Whisky Bar, Tallahassee Council on Culture & Arts, Johnny Appleseed, Bread & Roses Food Co-op, The Young Artist, Jacksonville Legal Aid, and Jamie Casino Lawfirm’s Superbowl 2018 commercial. I am also a model for Barbi3 Headz.
What would we find you doing when you aren’t at work?
I am also a professional actor who works on television shows and films. I can be seen in local and independent productions, but also as a Professional Background Actor in well-known shows such as NCIS New Orleans, Ozark, Sudden Death, The Dirt, Super Fly, The Bobby Brown Story, Dolly Parton Theater, The Purge, Master Ink Angels, Atlanta, Emperor, TNA Impact Wresting, Ain’t My Fault, Secrets of the Dead, and America: The Prequel. I can also be seen as a Saviour on The Walking Dead.
I also have work as a professional balloon artist for over 16 years and as a professional ballroom dance instructor for over 12 years. I am blessed to say that I am able to provide many smiles to many faces twisting all kinds of animal balloons for birthday parties, corporate events, festivals, celebrations, weddings, grand openings, family reunions, sporting events, and so much more. Teaching ballroom dance instills confidence in so many people and helps teach a healthy and active lifestyle.
I also enjoy Photography, Reading, Writing, Researching, Reenacting, Building with Natural Methods, Gardening, Landscaping, Volunteering, Working with Others, Camping, Biking, Hiking, Cooking, Homebrewing, Wine making, Shaolin Kung-Fu, Fencing, Swordsmanship, Ancient Weaponry, History, Teaching, Ballroom Dancing, Sustainability, Gourd Crafts, and Wood Crafts.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
- Massage advice: “If you make your own massage lotion or body butter, always remember to use all organic natural ingredients. Never put anything on your body or someone’s body that you would not be able to eat.”
- Thai Massage: “Any bodywork that you do on the massage table or the Thai mat is done in sacred space. You are working on another divine being.”
- When learning how to cook something new: Q: “How do you know when it is done?” A: “When it looks like something you want to eat.”
- When gardening: Q: “How do you keep animals out of your garden?” A: Plant enough. Enough for them to have some and for you to have some.
- When acting: Advice given by a fight choreographer: “If you have to die, die comfortably. You are going to be there for a while.”
How do you push through your worst times?
Prepare for the best times ahead. Be grateful and count my blessings.
What do you believe is responsible for your success?
- Helena, my partner who is always there for me.
- Performing quality massages over the quantity of massages. Treating each client like they are my only client. I do not rush them on the table nor off the table.
- Word of mouth, my new client special, my referral program and my loyalty program.
What type of collaborator do you love to work with?
All! I love to work with everyone.