Personal Interests

• Office Fitness
  I publish a website and am writing a book about office fitness (exercise, non-exercise activities, ergonomics, posture, and self-care).

• Public Speaking
  I have spoken professionally for more than 20 years, currently focusing on Office Fitness Talks. I am an active Toastmaster and continue to study public speaking. You will often find me at one of Seattle’s many speaking events.

• Entrepreneurship
  I have owned and operated my own massage business for almost 15 years. Part of what gave me the courage to strike out on my own was my experience working as a senior manager in three internet start-ups during the original dot-com boom (one of which, workz.com, provided information to entrepreneurs about how to do business online). I maintain my interest and connections in the entrepreneurial world, regularly participating in events like Startup Weekend and Hacker News meetups. I’m also a member of Seattle’s social entrepreneurship co-working space, HUB Seattle.

• Internet Marketing and Online Publishing
  I used to do a bunch of internet stuff: developing online publications, building content management systems, and helping entrepreneurs and independent professionals promote themselves online.

• World Music and Dance
  I love world music, and I study and play West African, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and other percussion-heavy music.

• Fremont Noodle House Group
  Since 1998, I have convened an informal monthly gathering of independent business and creative professionals.

• Book Publishing
  My first career was in college textbook publishing.

• Seattle
  I love this place.

• Volunteer Work
  I regularly help events and non-profits like TEDxRainier, Seeds of Compassion, Seattle Empty Bowls, and similar organizations. For the past fifteen years I have volunteered for Seattle arts events like Fremont’s Moisture Festival, Honk Fest West, the Fremont Solstice Parade, Bumbershoot, and the World Rhythm Festival. I served for two years as a board member for the Seattle World Percussion Society, the organization that stages the World Rhythm Festival. When I lived in the Bay Area, I served as a juror for the National Educational Media Network.

• Other Interests
  I am proud to be affiliated with the Johnny Jeptack Propulsion Laboratory. I love living in Seattle, but I also love New York and made a trip there to see Christo’s The Gates Feb. 12 & 13, 2005. I am also a reformed juggler. Until most of my favorite players retired, I was a roller derby fan (and even went on the road with the RCRG to Tucson and the DLF to Austin).

In addition to massage topics, I also occasionally blog on this site about other personal interests.