We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Leo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I think there is always going to be a bit of a struggle between work life and personal life and finding balance between the two. I have set rules for myself which I’ve been following for quite some time now.

1-set a routine/prioritize work and personal life and stick to it.
2-develop a hobby or anything to alleviate stress
3-establish boundaries, avoid non-emergent work while at home and vice versa.
4-learn to switch off from technology
5-delegate, you can’t do everything on your own, you will need help at some point and it is OK to ask for help.

Right now, I am at a place in life where I know exactly what I want, love myself enough to make sure I achieve those goals and I have an 12 year old who constantly motivates me, directly and indirectly, to make sure I don’t go astray.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I never went looking for this career, it found me. I always wanted to be a doctor, surgeon to be exact. Anatomy and physiology has always been intriguing to me. trying to figure out how and why our bodies work the way it does. I used to play football with a few of my male friends back in the day at school and they would constantly ask me to massage their legs and always praised me on how well I do it and how it helped them.

My first encounter with Massage and wellness was through my elder sister actually, she entered a class to learn how to massage and I was babysitting her second child. I would sit in the back of the class with my niece and practice everything being taught on her, she was a baby at the time but she loved it! the instructor one day told me why didn’t I join the class because I seem to be grasping the concept so well. at the time I figured I was too young and not really interested in the practical aspect but I loved the theory part.

Many years later I met the same lady in England and she mentioned that he colleague was moving to St. Lucia and would be offering courses in massage and Health and wellness and that I should give it try. I did and I fell in love with it.

From since then I have expanded my knowledge from just massage to so many more areas in the Health and Wellness Industry. I registered my business in 2007 and I have been doing this full time for 18 years now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
St. Lucia has many beautiful places to visit and lots of exciting things to do. All of our Communities for example Laborie, Dennery, Vieux Fort, Babboneau or Soufriere all have specific adventures to choose from. From bamboo rafting on a river, kayaking at 4am and watching the sunrise on the ocean, enjoying our local breakfasts, Ziplining over and in our forests, countless waterfalls and endless beaches for jet skiing, lots of nature reserves where you can ride an ATV across the island to experience first hand, mermaid pools and of course our Drive in Volcano, the only one in the world, where you can bathe in its sulphur pools.

We have a variety of hotels and local restaurants (Italian, Indian, Japanese, Asian) to choose from to eat. I love our Friday night street party in Gros Islet and Anse La Raye fish fry, where you can get all of our local foods, especially a variety of seafood prepared in so many ways. I don’t eat meat so anywhere there’s seafood I’m there, or we will be there.

Our local bars are always fun to visit for themed nights or just for a variety of music selections for dancing or just karaoke. My favorit band DYP play all over the island, so where DYP plays, I will be and whoever comes to visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will just name a few, there are alot more persons and establishments directly and indirectly that I can mention but it may take up too much

God and my parents because I wouldn’t be here without them, nor would I be alive without the grace of God
All my friends who have direct impact on my life decisions and career choices
The instructors from all over the world who believed that was special enough to take a chance on me
My clients, for believing in me and allowing me share my knowledge and skills with and on them

My son Karter, who is and instrumental part in my personal and mental development, my whole reason for never giving up

Good Health Massage and Wellness Center
Steiner-One Spa World
The Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden
Tracy Farrin who was the training Manager at The Wellness Centre Training Academy at the Oasis Spa at Le Sport
The National Research and Development Foundation, NRDF
Mi’ara Asian Spa Academy
Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies
Changhua Christian Hospital
St. Lucia Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, SLCTVET
Debbie Foster Advanced Aesthetics School of Beauty
Glow by Jean Skincare and Spa
St. Lucia Bureau of Standards
Hair Beauty and Spa Professional Spa Asosciation St. Lucia

Instagram: @a_maria_leo, @leospa758

Facebook: @amarialeo, @leospa758maria

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