Aces of Trades: Samantha McCurdy helping others with massage therapy - Marion Star

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Drew Bracken, Correspondent Published 5:21 a.m. ET April 13, 2021

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Samantha McCurdy created SIM Therapy LLC, where she works at neuromuscular massage therapy. She said she enjoys hearing from clients how she's helped relieve their pain.

(Photo: Ethan Clewell/For the Marion Star)

MARION – As you’ve probably heard many times, things have a way of working out. Well, they did, and they have, for Samantha McCurdy.

“As a kid, I was actually kind of a troublemaker,” McCurdy began her story, with a grin. “I’m sure my parents would agree. I did, however, want to be a veterinarian from a very young age. I love animals! But when I found out I would also have to put animals to sleep, that quickly ruined my dream of being a vet.”

“Right after high school,” she continued, “I almost went to cosmetology school, but instead I began working in a few factories over the next 4-5 years. But I didn’t feel like that was my calling. Yes, I was paying my bills, but I wanted to do more.”

“Then a friend of mine pushed me to pursue my desire to help people," McCurdy added. "So I began pursuing nursing. I went through an adult ed program and began working in a nursing home, with plans of going through an LPN program. I loved helping the residents and I really felt that was where I should be. But then as residents passed away, and I was constantly struggling with separating the work and personal feelings, I began to second-guess that path.”

“I didn’t want to constantly be sad when people passed away,” she said. “I then became aware of neuromuscular massage therapy — and the rest is history.”

For the past dozen years, McCurdy has been a licensed massage therapist and certified neuromuscular therapist at her SIM Therapy LLC. SIM, by the way, stands for her initials.

“I’ve always loved helping others,” McCurdy noted. “When you get that text or call from a client and they’re crying tears of relief and thanking you, it really hits your feelings. Helping my clients literally gives me life.”

McCurdy was born and raised in Marion. She’s a “proud Marion local,” as she put it. She graduated from Marion Harding High School in 2004, followed by Tri Rivers Career Center adult STNA program, and then The American Institute of Alternative Medicine in Columbus in 2009.

“I do offer basic relaxation massage,” she said, “but I prefer focusing more on the actual issues that are causing people pain, to hopefully get them back to feeling better with their daily routines.”

“I’m 67 years old and have been treated by 11 therapists from Marion, Delaware and Columbus," said Jim Owens. "Samantha is second to none and helps me stay active playing golf and living an active life. I have deep appreciation for what she’s done for me and other members of my family.”

“I’ve learned a lot from the path I’ve been on and am still on,” McCurdy noted. “And I’m not done yet. I have a lot more to learn and many more people to help. I can’t wait to grow even more.”

“Though this wasn’t my initial ‘dream job’ growing up, I know God had this planned for my life," she concluded. "I love helping. I’ve always been that way.”

SIM Therapy LLC is located at 1028 E. Center St. in Marion. For more information, call 740-361-3847 or log on Facebook.

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs — whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at [email protected].

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