Meet Lexi : Massage Therapist and Lymphatic Enhancement Technologist

Meet OMC Collective member Lexi Taylor. Lexi is the owner of Kalon Spa in Bellevue and has been practicing massage since 2012. Her most recent passion is for the benefits of Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Lymphatic Enhancement Technology, and MediCupping techniques.

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 grew up in the Seattle area, born in Renton and eventually ended up on the coast in Hoquiam, WA with my mom, stepdad and two younger brothers; my Dad lived in Newcastle for most of my childhood and then moved to Duvall so I spent weekends in the Bellevue and Redmond area with him. I moved just north of Seattle a year out of high school to get away from the small town I grew up in and to go to massage school where I met my boyfriend Calvin who I now have a 5-year-old daughter with. I am a licensed massage therapist and have been for 7 years, Calvin and I opened Kalon Spa 2 years ago in Bellevue.

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

To me having a fulfilled and happy life means being surrounded by people you love and who love you. I also believe to be fulfilled and happy you must have the desire and willingness to try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone and experience all life has to offer.

Do you have any personal mantras? 

I don’t, although I probably should. The one that comes to mind is “fake it til you make it” which Calvin is always telling me when I am feeling unsure of myself. I used to hate it because I didn’t like the idea of “faking it” but it really works when you are unsure of yourself to portray confidence and I generally realize I know so much more than I give myself credit for!

What is your favorite gift to give? To receive? 

I love to give gifts that are useful and thoughtful, something small that means something to the receiver. My favorite gift to receive pretty much anything someone put thought into, to me it really is the thought that counts!

What helps you feel calm & centered?

A quiet morning. When my mornings are rushed and chaotic my whole day is thrown off and it really affects my mood for the day. Also, yoga or laying on my PEMF mat can really help me recenter.

 When you get a quiet moment, what do you like to do the most?

Read a really good book, one where you get so lost in the story you almost feel like you’re part of it or a book on personal development, or parenting… or sometimes I prefer to turn on Netflix and scroll through Instagram when I get a moment to myself….

How do you practice self-care?

I struggle with this one, as a mom I feel guilty 100% of the time I do anything for myself but honestly getting a massage, getting my hair done, working out, shopping for clothes for myself (not my daughter which is usually what I end up doing!), even just asking Calvin to make dinner so I don’t have to think about it, pretty much anything I do to give myself a break counts as self-care to me. 

What does the term “Boss Mom” mean to you?

Someone who is successful as both a mom and in their career.

What does success mean to you? 

To me, success in business means being well known and well liked for what I do and being able to support myself and my family on my income alone. In life, it means building strong healthy relationships and being a strong role model for my daughter.

What does the world need more of? 

Truth with love and compassion. I think that people need to be honest and say what they mean without sugar-coating it. So many misunderstandings come from not wanting to upset someone but if we could all be honest about how we feel and what we need and do it in a loving compassionate way (on both ends) maybe there would be more understanding.

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

I want to be able to teleport anywhere in the world and be able to bring people with me. Not sure if that’s a superpower but that’s what I want!

What do you do for fun when you aren’t working?

Mostly I hang out with my boyfriend Calvin and our daughter Rylee who is 5. We like to hike, go camping, travel, go to parks, ride horses (well Rylee and I do), swim, hang out at home, go out to eat at new restaurants, travel. I like to try new workout studios, be in the sunshine, go for walks, go shopping, garden, listen to audiobooks, and read.

Why did you decide to pursue this career?

I loved the idea of helping people who are in pain and making people feel better. Plus at 19 I thought it was so cool that I could open my own practice and set my own hours and build my own clientele! It took longer than I thought but here I am doing it.

How do you balance being an entrepreneur & a mom?

It is hard some days. The biggest thing I have found helpful is not doing work when I am home with my family, especially in the evenings. Also learning to ask for help has been really amazing, I used to try to handle everything but I am slowly learning to ask people for help with things.

How has motherhood affected/changed/shaped your career path?

Motherhood has made me become more decisive and picky about what I spend my time on. It has made me realize what my time is worth and pushed me to want to own a business and build a legacy vs spending my time working for someone else. In the spa industry, you generally get paid per client so the downtime without pay working for someone was hard when I could have been home with my daughter, now I can make my own schedule and be home when I need to be.

What is a piece of advice you wish you’d received?

It’s not just okay to fail, it is necessary. I have always struggled with failing and being wrong so this would have saved me so much self-doubt and time!

What advice would you give other mothers struggling with accepting their post-baby bodies?

You GREW a baby, your body is AMAZING! Give yourself time and grace, and love your body for all it has done for you and your baby.

What core values do you want to teach your child?

Compassion, creativity, and strength. I want her to consider others, stand up for herself, and never lose her creative unique personality.

What is your favorite activity to do with your kid in Washington?

Hiking and/or horseback riding.

What makes you most excited about Om Mama Co. / what have you gained from being a part of the Om Mama Community?

Meeting other Mamas and building friendships in this community! 

Learn more about Lexi and Kalon Spa by following them on Instagram!