Some might say Eva Halter was made to help people. And while she may hold a Bachelor’s Degree in business, it’s her latest business venture which is bringing her the most professional fulfillment.
Halter, a long-time trainer with Get Fit Oakdale, is also the proud owner of Unwind Massage and Body Sculpting. It’s a business she first opened during the summer of 2022 on the west side of Oakdale.
The massage therapist relocated to her own storefront during the summer of 2023 and is finding the current location of 460 N. Yosemite, Ste. 1, Oakdale to be just right.
“I feel like having my own space and signage has really helped with the traffic,” she said of the location she moved into last summer.
As a Get Fit Trainer for the past six years, the entrepreneur shared the initial side hustle as a trainer while she worked her “day job,” prompted her to complete certification to become a personal trainer as well. The body wellness enthusiast noted that she was already familiar with curriculum focused on anatomy and pathology and has always enjoyed helping people.
Her side hustle also brought her together with Get Fit Oakdale member and Massage and Bodywork Education Center owner Michelle Scott.
“Ever since she opened the school, I was always interested but never found a way to financially take off, do school and take care of my family,” the single mom of two shared. “The opportunity presented itself for a four-month class and I just dove in and decided to take it.”
From that moment in early 2022, to her graduation in June of that same year, to now … Halter has been all in for bringing her vision of Unwind Massage to the community.
“Luckily I kind of had a head start from knowing so many people at Get Fit and just a lot of support from people in the industry already,” she said of opening her initial space in 2022.
Hosting her first space, renting a spot on the west side of Oakdale at Skin By Tamara, the business owner offered her gratitude for the initial opportunity, adding the relocation was primarily driven by need for a larger space.
Since completing Massage Therapy School in June of 2022 and receiving her state certification as a certified massage therapist, Halter has also completed courses in Body Sculpting, as well as Reiki.
“Having the CAMTC they just set bylaws and educational requirements,” she said of the importance of seeking a state certified masseuse. “It’s just like if you’re a doctor, you don’t want a doctor that only has 300 hours of education. You want a doctor that has years and years of education plus maybe years and years of hands on working with people.
“I really like how many doors it opens,” she added of continuing her studies and being able to offer additional services to her clients.
By way of massage, the therapist shared her past knowledge as a trainer serves as benefit to her clients as she can help each identify their needs.
“I really like figuring out their problems, typically,” she said, adding she doesn’t feel as if she’s done the same massage twice. “Like if your back is hurt, obviously I’m not going to just work on your arms.”
While some may come in requesting a specific type of massage to start, Halter enjoys the exploration part of her work in learning where they may have need for the most work.
“I don’t like to do something I don’t know. I sort of dive into all aspects of it,” she said of being a lifelong student.
As for the business major turned massage therapist and business owner, she confided she could not be happier. Sharing a love for not only what she now calls “work,” but her clients as well.
“I’ve had multiple clients say, “oh you actually know the muscles,” she said. “There’s a difference in learning what works for the body or setting a course of action. If somebody has a frozen shoulder, it takes more than one session to get it fixed.”
Unwind Massage hours vary by the day. Appointments can be booked through the Instagram page unwind.massage or text 209-241-6063.
“I’m always kind of one step ahead in my mind,” she said of her way of being, as well as her current career path, “it’s just kind of catching up with my ideas and figuring out how to make them happen.”
