Life & Work with Joshua Vasquez of Downtown Raleigh – Mordecai

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Vasquez.

Hi Joshua , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a North Carolina native, my goal in creating Modern Therapeutics was to develop and expand access for safe, science-based therapeutic bodywork in the triangle and beyond. Through my work, I find focus on breath, movement, and attention to the body-mind connection are paramount in creating beneficial patterns of change. Above all, I strive to deliver an individualized session that can be modified to ensure comfort and relaxation in a positive, healing environment.

I graduated from the Body Therapy Institute in Siler City in 2016 and have over a decade of experience working in diverse healthcare environments including top teir medical fitness facilities, physical therapy and chiropractic clinics, spas and wellness centers. I most recently decided to pursue my own path in Massage Therapy opening up my very own offices located in Downtown Raleigh and near Southpoint in Durham. This has allowed met the time and focus to better serve my clients based on their needs. I also can be available for travel and home visits upon request. I bring a variety of skills from other fields prior to graduating from massage school within hospitality, business management and administration, education and childcare.

In my sessions, I incorporate knowledge from my entire experience including my extended time as a yoga student and active participant in exercise training to inform and instruct clients about self-care and maintenance in-between sessions. These skills give me a unique perspective on massage and allow me to provide more extensive care for my clients. Through my passion and commitment to a balanced lifestyle, I seek to help clients gain a more complete sense of self through mindful, diverse and effective bodywork
My specialties include Myofascial massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Sports Massage, Posture assessments. Add-ons include Aromatherapy, Hot Stone Therapy, Swedish massage and Cupping.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Like most meaningful journeys, becoming a massage therapist and building my wellness business has had its share of challenges. Early on, the biggest hurdle was finding my voice in a field that often focuses more on trends than on deep, sustainable healing. I knew I wanted to offer more than just relaxation—I wanted to support people through pain, recovery, and the emotional aspects of healing too. That meant investing in continued education, redefining boundaries with clients, and sometimes turning away from easier paths that didn’t align with my purpose.

When I started out, I had to work out of borrowed spaces, manage inconsistent income, and hustle to build a client base from scratch. Marketing myself felt uncomfortable at first, but over time I leaned into authenticity and connection—sharing what I do and why I do it, instead of trying to just sell a service.

Every obstacle taught me something deeper about who I am and what I want this work to represent. It’s what led me to create a business model and website centered on whole-person wellness, not just bodywork. The struggles helped shape a practice that’s now rooted in education, empowerment, and true care—not just for clients, but for myself too.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a licensed massage therapist and wellness practitioner, and my work is rooted in bodywork—but it extends far beyond the massage table. I specialize in therapeutic massage with a focus on functional recovery, pain relief, and stress management. My goal is to help people reconnect to their bodies, whether they’re managing chronic pain, recovering from injury, or simply trying to maintain balance in their lives.

What I’m most known for is creating a space where people feel deeply seen and cared for. I combine intuitive touch with clinical knowledge to tailor each session to the client’s unique needs. It’s not a one-size-fits-all experience—my work is integrative, blending modalities like deep tissue, trigger point therapy, assisted stretching, and nervous system support.

I’m proud of how my work honors the whole person. I see the body as a reflection of our lived experiences, and I treat every session as a collaboration, not just a service. That perspective is also what inspired the design of my online presence—it’s an extension of my philosophy: that healing is a journey, not a transaction.

What sets me apart is the depth of presence and education I bring to each interaction. I’ve built my practice not just on technique, but on trust, boundaries, and a strong belief that bodywork can be a transformative tool when approached with the right intention.

Any big plans?
Right now, I’m in a really exciting phase of expansion. I’m moving beyond just offering massage therapy and stepping more fully into wellness education and community-centered care. One of my biggest goals is to create more opportunities for people to access bodywork—not just in private sessions, but through events, workshops, and partnerships that bring wellness into everyday spaces, like workplaces, schools, and even retail stores.

I’m currently planning wellness events with corporate companies where I can introduce people to the power of touch and movement in a relaxed, accessible environment. These events are part of a larger vision to bridge the gap between clinical bodywork and daily wellbeing.

I’m also continuing my personal growth as a practitioner—pursuing certifications in personal training and mobility coaching, so I can support clients not only on the table, but in how they move and care for their bodies outside of our sessions.

The big change on the horizon is shifting my practice from being appointment-based to becoming more experience-based. I want clients to feel like they’re stepping into something thoughtful, restorative, and deeply human—whether they’re coming in for a massage, a wellness event, or just browsing my offerings to learn more about their bodies.

Pricing:

• $125 / 60 minute, in office
• Corporate Discounts available
• Mobile Massage Available + travel fee
• Series Sale Discounts available
• Classes $15 / person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ModernTherapeuticsNC.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moderntherapeuticsnc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moderntherapeuticsnc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ModernTherapeutics
• Other: https://www.massagebook.com/therapists/moderntherapeutics?src=external