Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Levenson.
Hi Julie , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to North Carolina in 1993 to attend Elon at 17, and from the beginning, I knew I would have to work for everything I wanted. I wasn’t the typical college student—I was waiting tables full time while in school and doing anything I could to gain experience, whether that was in physical therapy clinics, a prosthetics and orthotics practice or personal training.
I graduated in 1997 with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science, went straight into massage school and finished an accelerated program in 1998. Not long after, I opened my first space on South Church Street in a small log cabin—where Sherwin-Williams now sits. It wasn’t fancy. Just a sign by the road that said Body Works Therapeutic Massage. There was never a fallback plan.
Over the past 28 years, Body Works Massage and Wellness has grown alongside this community. What started as a one-person practice has evolved into a team of 10 highly skilled therapists, all committed to helping people feel better in their bodies—whether that’s managing pain, recovering from injury or simply taking time to reset.
I’ve always been drawn to how the body works—how it holds stress, how it heals and how no two people need the same thing. That’s something we’ve built our practice around. We don’t follow a routine—we listen and we tailor each session to what that person needs that day.
A mentor once told me, “You can only go as deep with a client as you’re willing to go within yourself.” That’s something I’ve carried with me throughout my career. This work is about more than technique—it’s about presence, awareness and genuinely caring for the person on your table.
I’m incredibly grateful to Alamance County for the support over the years. Many of our clients have been with us for a long time and that trust means everything. As we continue to grow, our focus remains the same—providing thoughtful, high-quality care and creating a space where people feel seen, supported and better when they leave than when they walked in.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road.
At one point, I experienced a traumatic foot injury that led me into a very personal healing journey. It changed everything for me—both professionally and personally. I learned things during that time that you can’t read in a book or be taught in a classroom. They only come through lived experience.
At my sickest, I was down to 95 pounds and still working. That season gave me a completely different perspective on what people are carrying when they walk through the door.
It changed how I approach my work, how I listen and how I connect with clients on the table. There’s a deeper level of awareness and compassion that comes from having gone through something like that yourself. It’s something I try to carry into the way I work with and guide the team of therapists around me as well.
It also changed how I see life. I don’t take my health or the ability to do this work for granted. That experience continues to shape how I show up every day, both for my clients and for myself.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Massage therapy is the foundation of what we do, but the way we approach it is what sets us apart.
Our practice focuses on orthopedic-based work, along with prenatal massage, post-surgical lymphatic drainage, cupping, reflexology and myofascial release. At the core of all of it is what we call integrative massage—where each therapist draws from their training and experience to customize the session based on what the client needs that day.
What I’m most proud of is the perseverance it took to keep going through adversity and to build something meaningful from that. That has grown into a team of therapists who share the same values—professional, authentic, caring and knowledgeable.
What truly sets us apart is the depth of experience and education within our team, combined with an environment that supports the work. We have 10 licensed massage therapists with a combined 187 years of experience. The space I’ve created is calm and serene, designed to help the body slow down and reset. It allows the nervous system to shift out of a constant state of stress and into a place where real work can happen. Clients aren’t relying on one perspective—they’re benefiting from a collective level of knowledge in a space intentionally designed to help the body respond to it.
At the end of the day, I’m grateful for the path I’ve been given and for the strength to walk it. I give all the glory to God for carrying me through it.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Trust your intuition. It will guide you more than you realize.
Learn your anatomy. It’s the foundation of everything we do, and the more you understand the body, the more effective and confident you’ll become.
Take care of your body and practice self-care. This work is physical, and you can’t pour into others if you’re not taking care of yourself.
Get a lot of bodywork from other therapists. It will help you learn from the client perspective—what you like, what you don’t and what you would do differently.
Find a mentor. Having someone who has walked the path before you can shorten the learning curve and help you grow.
And don’t try to be like another therapist. Be yourself. You have a gift to share with your clients, and that’s where your real strength comes from.
Pricing:
- Integrative massage 60 minutes $85
- Integrative massage 90 minutes $125
- Integrative massage 120 minutes $190
- Prenatal 60 minutes $100, 90 min $140
- Post surgical lymphatic drainage 60 minutes $95 package of 5 $450
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Bodyworksmassage.glossgenius.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18BMkWTdRr/
