STEVE DOLLAHITE

Born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, Dec. 1950, my parents had a home laundry business. We moved to Lebanon, NH and lived in 5 different houses – I only remember the last one. In about 1955, we moved to Carlisle, PA and I started 1st grade; we moved to California where I finished 1st grade and started 2nd grade. We then moved to Texas and I finished 2nd grade and had 3rd grade in the same school. Next stop, Austin, Texas where I attended 4th grade. For 5th grade, my parents wanted me in a different school. My father, now with a teaching degree, was hired to teach Russian and German in the Denver area – that was my 6th grade. I went to only one Junior high school. However my father was a teacher in the school I was attending – not good for me! I started High school but decided to change because I was carpooling with my family so I could stay with the kids I knew in junior high. The new school, in Evergreen, CO, was about 7 miles away instead of the 35 miles to the other school.

I worked as a caddie, dishwasher, and parking attendant during high school, then attended an automotive technical college for 12 months. In 1969 President Nixon instituted the military draft. My number was 26 out of a possible 366; I had the choice to enlist or leave the country.  I enlisted in the Army with another friend from Junior high. After basic training, we were sent to Ft. Polk for infantry training. I had never shot a gun – or even been in a fight. I was selected to be a squad leader – 10 men were under my supervision. Halfway through this training, I filed for conscientious objector status. This process takes many months and involves interviews with legal, religious, and military officers. During this process, I did not continue infantry training. Instead, I was assigned to be the company clerk. About 5 months later, I was sent to medic training at Ft. Sam in Houston TX and then stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, where I worked as a medic and ambulance driver. After discharge, I became an auto mechanic specializing in alignment, suspension, and frame straightening. This occupation lasted for most of 30 years, with a short stint as an insurance agent and agency manager.

In 1997 I was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The chiropractor I went to sent me to a massage therapist. This was my first experience with a practitioner in this discipline. I was immediately impressed by how much it helps me in my healing process! When funds were made available through my mother’s passing in late 2000, as she and I had discussed, I began massage school. The school I chose was rated among the top ten in the U.S. Conveniently, the Brian Utting School of Massage was located in Seattle, WA, where I lived. Attending this school was the most challenging – and rewarding – things I have ever done. For extra credit, I did two internships, one at a chiropractic office and one with an Olympic rowing team. After graduation on April 20, 2002, I started my own business. I worked with the Seattle Sounders soccer team, the Thunderbirds hockey team and the World Ultimate frisbee championship. I also spent 3 days with the World Wrestling Federation where I massaged Hulk Hogan, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, among others. With my move to Maui in 2012, I started over again. Since moving was second nature to me from my childhood experience, I fit in quickly. My experience as a medic in the Army, followed by my occupation which consisted of straightening and aligning car frames, prepared me for doing bodywork on people. Working with professional athletes, often in fast-paced situations, taught me how to identify and treat injuries quickly and effectively. As an insurance agent, I saw the claims end of injuries. I feel these experiences prepared me and made me proficient with, and passionate for, my current occupation as a massage therapist.

 

 

 

 DANIEL RODGERS

 

 

CHRISTA BRIGGS

Christa is originally from Austin, Texas. After finishing highschool in Austin she attended Northeastern University where she majored in Communications: Radio/TV.

After college Christa became actively involved with community building in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While working for The Chelsea Waterfront Gallery she wrote and received a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for the Arts to do an art installation at an elder home in Chelsea, Ma. Also as an Assistant Director for the Boys and Girls Club of Cambridge she took on the responsibility for program development in the clubhouse, receiving grant donations from organizations such as the Boston Red Sox and Harvard Fogg Art Museum on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club of Cambridge, MA. Christa also facilitated field trips and art classes for kids and elders.

Christa has lived and worked on Maui for 14 years. Upon completion of Maui School of TherapEutic Massage in Makawao, she has provided bodywork to the community of Maui since 2004. Her family resides on the North shore of Maui where she occasionally volunteers at Boys and Girls Clubs of Maui, Haiku.