Meet Abby : Massage Therapist & Health Coach

Meet OMC Collective Member, Abby Dillinger-Lee. Abby is a Massage Therapist and Owner of Shakti Bodywork of Bellevue.

How long have you lived in the Seattle area? Where are you from/why did you move here? What do you do for a living? Have you always done this? 

I was born and raised in North Bend, WA.  I’m a PNW native!  I have been a massage therapist since 2016 and a health coach since 2019. I received my BS in Psychology from WA State University in 2012. I have spent my career in various aspects of alternative health care, as a massage therapist, health coach, clinic manager, and consultant.  

What does living a fulfilled and happy life mean to you? 

Living a life that has balance.  I love my practice and my clients, but I enjoy my downtime spent with family and friends just as much.  My two greatest passions in life are my son and my work.

Do you have any personal mantras? 

Don’t set yourself on fire trying to keep others warm.

What is your greatest personal skill/trait? 

My compassion.  It makes me better in all aspects of my life.

What is your favorite gift to give? To receive? 

I love to give food!  I try to remember when someone says they enjoy a particular treat and surprise them with it later.  I also give bodywork sessions on birthdays and holidays. I appreciate experience gifts.

What helps you feel calm & centered?

Meditation and breathwork help me keep my anxiety at a level I can handle.  I also do a lot of self-care!  Baths, stretches, acupuncture, massages, facials…I love it all!

What helps you feel strong?

A great barre or cycling class.  My work also makes me feel strong.  I have worked with lots of professional athletes that are much larger than me.  My ability to give them the treatment that they need gives me strength. Juggling it all makes me feel unstoppable.

What is your love language?

Acts of service, for sure!

What does the world need more of? 

Compassion, both for ourselves and others.  So much in our world would be different if we focused on teaching our children ideals like allyship and empathy, as well as math and science.

If you could have a super-power, what would it be?

The ability to be in two places at once.  As a working mom, this would be incredible!

If you could tell your twenty-year-old self one thing, what would it be? 

I would tell myself to spend less time worrying about if it would all work out and enjoy the moment more.  I spent so many of my younger years beating myself up for not having it all figured out and not being at the peak of the mountain.  I missed so much of the journey.

What did you think of motherhood before you became a mother?

I often felt like motherhood might not be in the cards for me.  I have depression and anxiety and I’m a bit of a workaholic, so I wasn’t sure how motherhood would fit into my life and if I would be any good at it.

What core values do you want to teach your child?

I want to teach my son Aiden (age 6) how to be an ally to marginalized people.  He has such a huge heart and is so kind and empathetic, but I want him to understand that his actions need to match his intentions.  I also want him to follow his passions and support others in following theirs.

What are some of your favorite activities to do with your child? 

Aiden loves to be read to, which thrills me because reading is one of my favorite hobbies.  We love to go grab an ice cream or dim sum together on the weekends.  Aiden is an incredible traveler and we have had so many amazing adventures all over the world together!

What are you most excited about being a part of Om Mama Co.?

To be in community with others who are having similar experiences with the children in their lives.  I truly believe that it takes a village to raise a child.  I am also so excited to share my bodywork gifts with Om Mama Co members.  I’m so happy to be able to support clients during pregnancy and recovery.

Follow along with Abby and Shakti Bodywork on Instagram