Kay Takara
KTM Massage, KTM Movement Space
In 2023 I retired from my first career of 23 years as a naval officer in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve. Shortly thereafter I dove head-first into school at Camosun College to re-set my sails for a new career in massage therapy.
While graduation is still 6 months away, I feel now that I can effectively and safely contribute to the mobility and wellness goals of those in my community through offering affordable non-RMT massage.
The Quick Backgrounder
Highlights Reel
- At 43, I'm the youngest of the child triad;
- I'm the proud mother of James, a bright and kind 16 year-old who loves skiing and the worlds of business and technology;
- My partner in life, Pieter, is also my 'partner in crime' in travel adventures and buiness ventures. We're best friends with an uncanny match of values, integrity, and drive. I love that Pieter makes me laugh and that whenever the unexpected arises, he simply "makes a plan" (no drama);
- I have the great fortune to enjoy the love and support of my parents in-person and often, as they also live in Victoria;
- Q and Picard are my 2 cats - their antics inspire involuntary laughs, and yes... many things get delayed because "I have a cat in my lap";
- My 1st career was nearly 23 years of service in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve as a Naval Warfare Officer (NWO); and
- The activities that I most enjoy are those that involve travel, an outdoors lifestyle, learning, and contributing value where possible.
Family
The Deeper-Dive
For those who enjoy having details that make you feel like you already know someone:
I was born in Ottawa to military parents thus moving was my norm and home was wherever my family was.
In 1993 my family moved to Vancouver Island. Although skeptical at first, I soon realized that the west coast was indeed the 'best coast'. Since moving west I've enjoyed 5 years of living in Comox and 27 years of living in Victoria - a place I now feel comfortable to call Home.
Even before my parents moved to Norway for 4 years, I knew I loved travel; but that love became a passion throughout the time I spent living and working abroad. The more I experienced, the greater my drive became to learn more about the world outside of my own context. This same drive led to my enrolment in the Royal Canadian Navy - "join the navy, see the world", right?
What was supposed to be a short-term commitment to earn money while in university (no more than 4 years I told myself), ended up being the centre of gravity for almost 23 years of my personal and professional life.
Career and family are a tricky balance for most people. When it came right down to it, I opted-out of battling balance and decided to take a career pause in order to stay home with my son through his early years - and I'm so glad I did! I treasure those years of books, travels, gardens, rockets, chickens, lego, parks, biking, baking, and more!
While narrative can be interesting, here are a few more point-form facts to close the loop on career and school experiences:
Post-secondary:
- UVic - Bachelor of Science in Geography (GIS and Cartography focus)
- UVic - Masters of Education in Adult Education and Leadership (completing capstone now)
- Camosun - Massage Therapy Program (now completing term 5 of 6 terms)
Military Career:
- Occupation: Maritime Surface and Subsurface (MARS) Officer; since renamed Naval Warfare Officer (NWO)
- Favourite Roll: Teaching and leading at sea as Officer In Charge (OIC) of an ORCA Class training vessel
- Retired Rank and Position: Lieutenant-Commander (LCdr), Director of the Professional Development and Mentorship Program for the Naval Reserve
- Career travel: The middle east, south Pacific, Asia, Europe, throughout the US and of course, wherever there might be a military base in Canada.
Overall
Throughout the various leadership, scholastic, relationship, parenting, and activity rolls I've assumed throughout my experiences, I'm grateful that each one has challenged my assumptions, broadened my scope of information gathering, honed my decision-making, and has offered me more awareness and connection to my core values.
On the Water
Common Threads Between Military and Massage Careers
Ultimately, a desire to be more present with my family and to embark on a life-long desire to build and run my own business have brought me to this point today.
Some think that my leap from military officership to massage therapy was the result of me losing my marbles. However, surprising as it may be, those two professions share more in common than most people would think. At the core, both professions are rooted in:
- Service to a broader purpose (i.e. public security & healthcare);
- Helping individuals to progress in their goals;
- Earning and protecting the trust of others;
- Continuous learning and progression of one's own skills and knowledge;
- Being physically and mentally active & agile; and
- Having an open mind to see each person as they are, aiming to always see them through a lens of dignity and curiosity.