Massage Envy 2025 Therapist of the Year: John Nappi III

AMTA is proud to celebrate John Nappi III, Massage Envy’s 2025 Therapist of the Year, recently announced at the brand's 2026 Annual Performance Summit this past spring. This award recognizes a massage therapist who "best personifies a commitment to helping members and guests through the power of massage and assisted stretch."

We were honored to speak with John about this incredible milestone and learn more about his journey in the profession.

The Beginning of John’s Journey Within the Massage Profession

It was actually while he was at physical therapy school that John discovered his passion for massage therapy. He was struggling with the program and questioning whether physical therapy was the right path for him when his dad suggested he speak with a family friend who served on the college’s Board of Directors.

During that conversation, the colleague encouraged John to explore other career options and even had him call a massage school while they sat together. Although people had told him that he would make a great massage therapist throughout his life, it was not until this moment that he truly considered the profession as a career.

From there, John’s journey in massage therapy began.

After graduating from school, John applied for a position with a Massage Envy franchise on a whim. At one point, he considered leaving, but he ultimately realized that the stability and support offered by the franchise aligned with his goals. Today, John values being able to focus entirely on client care while the franchised business handles responsibilities such as supplies, facility maintenance, and marketing.

Working at a Massage Envy franchise has allowed John the freedom to develop his skills on his own terms and also receive the structure and support from a business. He now serves as a Lead Therapist and Sponsored Student Trainer for his location, helping mentor both current practitioners and the next generation of massage therapists.

The Power of Massage Therapy

John says he witnesses the impact of massage therapy “all the time” and that these moments continually remind him why he is proud to be part of the profession.

Recently, he worked with a client who was experiencing intense back and hip pain and relied on a cane to walk. The client reported becoming pain-free and no longer needing a cane after receiving six months of consistent massage sessions.

For John, these life-changing moments reinforce the importance of his work as a massage therapist.

The Impact of This Recognition

When asked what receiving the Massage Envy Therapist of the Year Award meant to him, John emphasized: "It means everything!"

He admits that this recognition was a complete shock and credits much of his success to the people who believed in him throughout his journey. While he already felt confident in his abilities as a massage therapist, receiving this award affirmed those feelings. As John explains,

Receiving this award serves as a testament to John’s ongoing commitment to the profession and the care he brings to every client interaction.

The Importance of Continual Growth

As John reflects on his career, one theme stood out: continual learning is essential—not only for advancing the profession but also for remaining engaged in your work.

He believes that maintaining the motivation to keep learning is key to both career longevity and avoiding burnout. Beyond continuing education requirements, John shares that, “one of the biggest parts of being a massage therapist is being able to learn from every session,” no matter how small the lesson may seem.

This outlook was introduced to him in massage school, though he admits it took years of professional experience to fully understand its meaning.

“It is a mindset shift,” he explains. “You need to take into consideration that there is always something to learn. Things are always changing; science is not always exact. […] Our understanding of the human body, the mind, and how everything connects is changing and you need to be open to that.”

Advice for Fellow Massage Professionals

Self-care is an important component of building a successful, sustainable career, and John makes it a priority in his own life.

One piece of advice he offers to both new and seasoned massage therapists is to make time for exercise. Building strength and taking care of your body will help you better support clients while also contributing to your own long-term health and career longevity.

John also stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and establishing personal boundaries. When working with clients, he says it is vital to

As bodywork professionals, massage therapists constantly absorb the emotion and energy of others. John believes it is essential to find ways to stay grounded, allow the mind and body to rest, and leave that energy behind at the end of the day.

Looking Forward: The Future of the Profession and What’s Next for John

When asked about the future of the massage profession, John shares his optimism:

“We’re getting into a timeframe where the further we go with massage therapy, the more it is accepted. There are organizations, such as AMTA, that are trying to educate in the right way and create professionalism. My hope and thought is that this will be taken more seriously—and that we might develop a degree program—in addition to national and state licensing.”

As for his own future, John plans to still be taking clients 10 years from now. He also hopes to become more involved and help develop solutions that benefit both clients and practitioners alike.

Additionally, he would like to expand his involvement in massage education, whether through growing his current Sponsored Student Trainer role or developing his own continuing education courses.

In closing, John shares this message with fellow professionals:

“I hope you do massage therapy for all the right reasons: care about your clients, care about the work you do. Respect yourself and respect your clients. […] Remember, this is a business of helping people; as therapists, we do this to help people; that is our goal.”

Congratulations, John!

AMTA is proud to celebrate John’s achievements, passion for massage therapy, and commitment to supporting both clients and future professionals.

As part of this recognition, AMTA will honor John with an all-inclusive trip to our 2026 National Convention—so be sure to say hello if you see him in Denver!

About Massage Envy 

Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is a leading provider of premium skin care offerings and massage services. The Massage Envy brand was founded in 2002 and began offering skin care services in 2008. The brand has franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 225 million services across its skin care and body care offerings.