About Me: From Paper Trails to Healing Paths

I’m A.J. Leigh, and my journey to the massage table wasn’t exactly a straight line—it was more of a scenic route involving a lot of road trips, a couple of master’s degrees, and a long, personal battle with chronic pain.

I was born in Missouri to a registered nurse and an army doctor, a beginning that likely sparked my lifelong fascination with how the human body works (and how it breaks). After a childhood spent bouncing from Fayetteville, NC, to the St. Louis area, with a few other stops along the way; I hit the ground running as an adult. I tackled a triple major at SLU while working an average of 50 hours a week in the service industry—a feat that earned me a GPA I’m immensely proud of, even if the FBI’s rigid standards felt otherwise!

The "Body Debt" We Collect

For a long time, I lived in a body that was shouting at me. Between being born severely pigeon-toed (shoutout to ballet for the fix, even if it confused my hips), years of gymnastics and competitive Tae Kwon Do, and five—yes, five—rounds of whiplash from car accidents, I was a walking collection of structural imbalances. By my mid-20s, I was staring down a diagnosis of degenerative arthritis in my cervical spine.

I spent years in the corporate and government worlds, earning a Master’s in Criminal Justice and another in Financial Management and Accounting. I worked for the IRS and in private accounting, but eventually, the "paper-pushing" life hit a dead end. I realized I wasn’t doing what I was meant for. I was living in pain every single day, and I knew there had to be a better way to exist in this skin.

Understanding the Navigator

A major turning point in my journey wasn't just physical, but mental. I was diagnosed with ADHD around 2012 and as autistic in 2022. These weren't just labels; they were the keys to understanding why I navigate the world the way I do. This neurodivergent perspective is exactly why I’m so detail-oriented and "investigative" with my work. It gave me a deeper insight into my own sensory needs and a unique ability to help others who might feel overwhelmed by their own physical or environmental input.

Finding the Flow

I finally turned to massage therapy and Reiki, not just as a career, but as a lifeline. Through these modalities, I did what years of sitting behind a desk couldn't: I healed. Today, I am pain-free most days, and I’ve dedicated my life to helping others find that same liberation.

In June 2021, I followed my heart back to North Carolina, settling in Goldsboro (safely within a  "day trip" radius of the beach, but far enough from the storm surges!). After a year of working with the incredible aircrew at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, I decided to open my own practice to focus on the deep, restorative work I’m most passionate about.

My Approach to Your Wellness

When I’m not in the studio, you’ll likely find me diving into a true crime podcast, obsessing over genealogy, or adding to my ever-growing collection of beautiful Tarot and Oracle decks. I’m a perpetual student of the world, and I bring that same inquisitive, detail-oriented energy to your muscles.

I specialize in helping you reclaim your range of motion and find relief from:

• The Upper Body: Chronic neck, shoulder, and upper back pain, including carpal tunnel, frozen shoulder, or rotator cuff issues.

• The Lower Body: Hip imbalances, pelvic tilts, sciatica, and lower back strain.

• Chronic Conditions: Managing the daily grind of arthritis and long-term "body debt."

My goal is simple: to help you live a life that feels like an adventure rather than a chore. I look forward to helping you move through the world with a little more ease and a lot less ache.

 

Credentials:

License number:  North Carolina: 19698

Massage Certifications:

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Medical Massage

Injury Recovery

Thai Massage (Nuad Boran)

Reiki

Crystal Healing

Tuning Fork Therapy

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Post-Secondary Education:

The Healing Arts Center – St. Louis, Massage Therapy Certificate (2016)

Keller Graduate School of Management, Master of Financial Management & Accounting (2010)

Texas State University – San Marcos, MS in Criminal Justice (2004)

Saint Louis University, BA in Criminal Justice, Spanish & International Studies (2001)​