I started the second I was old enough to work and began in the kitchen, wanting to learn every single possible aspect of the store including summer and midnight maintenance. I wanted to be a Trainer, a Manager and in a perfect world - I wanted to be a Corporate Trainer for Head Office.
I loved McDonald's and my social media network today contains many of the people I first worked with back in those days. I made life long friends and learned core competencies of management I have used in every part of my career since.
Back then I wasn't so concerned about "leading a healthy lifestyle" or coaching people on shifts to make in their life to feel "whole".
I had started smoking to fit in, drank a pot of coffee before noon and had no qualm whatsoever about having an Egg McMuffin combo for breakfast, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese combo for lunch (with no pickles - hated pickles) and a Hot Fudge Sundae on any part of an average shift. (with extra fudge in the middle and on the bottom)
(I just made a lot of people very angry with that last paragraph. I didn't know any better back then, okay? Don't judge.)
McDonald's does many things very well - their training is superb, their standards are insanely consistent and they have a "PM Schedule" for EVERYTHING.
And that's what I want to talk about.
PM.
Planned Maintenance.
We had a daily schedule, a weekly schedule, a monthly schedule, a quarterly schedule and an annual schedule.
Every piece of machinery and equipment had a phone number attached to it, a serial number and a sheet laminated, that laid out the exact plan to prevent it from breaking down.
And I'm telling you - the most successful restaurants follow and perform that PM by the book.
***
I wonder how many of us treat ourselves and our employees with the same approach?
Let's call it Human Maintenance.
How are we continually maintaining our bodies and our brains to be more efficient, productive and successful?
Over and over again, I hear the same scenarios repeated.
Scenario 1
Employee makes big salary. Employee "can't leave" job because they are tied to the money, sole breadwinner, have a mortgage, etc. Employee complains they are exhausted and tired and overworked and is always counting down to their next vacation. Employee dreads every Monday morning. Employee has zero energy. Employee is generally stressed and miserable. Employee does not have 5 minutes to themselves.
Scenario 2
Employee loves what they do and is driven to continually move up the food chain. Employee grinds long hours. Employee outworks everyone else at the company to be the best. Employee oozes the company brand and promotes workplace to everyone they know. Employee burns out by their overcommitments. Employee health deteriorates. Employee goes on a) vacation to recharge or b) sick leave. Employee recovers and repeats cycle again.
Scenario 3
Employee lives beyond their means - either through no fault of their own or over spending. Employee needs to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. Employee sacrifices any time for self care because all free time is consumed working at part time and full time jobs.
Scenario 4
Employee works a "normal" full time 40 hour per week job. Employee has spouse and children. Children activities have become the dictator of all free time. Employee has no time for self care because they are the taxi service, sports manager, coach, spectator, cheerleader... the list goes on.
You get the idea.
We are no different than the McDonald's grill that will eventually stop functioning optimally if we don't stop and maintain the machine.
***
I have a little confession to make.
When I signed up for my Reflexology training, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing.
I had had a Reflexology session once, years ago, and I knew the very basic premise that there were points on the foot that was "supposed to" correspond to parts of the body.
(So they say- insert eye roll here).
What I have always believed, though, is the theory that if more money is allotted to paramedical services as preventative maintenance on a Group Benefit plan, it is highly probable that there is less spent on the disability and drug lines.
So I pretty much made a revenue-based hunch, without any real understanding of Reflexology, that I thought this was a vertical that could take off - supported by a wellness trend of increasing the paramedical lines and a heightened awareness and push for self care.
I have seen blood pressure drop from 150-160/80 to a normal range of 120/80 with only 4 four weeks of treatments, I have seen a smoker start coughing prophetically when I apply pressure to the lung reflex, I have seen a young woman feel tenderness on all her reproductive reflexes that had multiple children at a very young age, and I have seen a client with crohn's and colitis react to pressure applied to the small intestine and colon reflexes.
I have received multiple texts or messages that state "I haven't felt this relaxed in months." "I haven't slept that well in years" or "It is indisputable that there is a dramatic effect on the nervous system. No other treatment has affected me in the same way. This is completely different."
Technically, by the Ontario College rules, I can't tell you that any of this is specific to Reflexology, but man, would I love to do some experiments with clients over a period of time and test some of my theories out because it's awfully coincidental.
There is, without question, something about Reflexology that is very unique and has a fascinating impact at, what appears to be, a cellular level in the body - so this is totally my sales pitch to educate and encourage you to try it.
***
Our nervous system is a power house that runs most of the show to heal or manage any inflammation in the body, and it operates with two breakers.
The first is our "fight or flight" mode which is tripped and in use whenever there is a perceived threat of any form. It could be stress, it could be diet, it could be alcohol or drugs, it could be an emergency situation or personal crisis. This is where all of our reflexes are "on" alert.
This works in conjunction with our parasympathetic nervous system which can be equalized to our "off" switch. This is our relaxation response, our chill-out ability, our true zen.
These two systems need to dance perfectly in sync, operating as needed, to keep us mentally, physically and emotionally well.
It doesn't take much to trip the switch and live in "fight or flight" mode permanently. There are a laundry list of health issues that can spin off from living this way, but what's important to note is that it's incredibly easy to for the circuit to malfunction and it's our responsibility to ourselves to stay in balance.
Many of us operate in warning stages. Early signs of distress that we might be working too hard or our stress level is up just a wee bit higher than what is deemed a healthy range - and Reflexology is one option that can help bring the body back into balance.
Unfortunately, there are also many people with advanced stages of illness that require medication and treatments far beyond zone therapy. I would love to have the opportunity, one day, to work with some of them and experiment with the effects on different ailments from using this treatment as a complementary therapy.
The Ontario College of Reflexology has recently started publishing trials on clients with diabetes, anxiety, MS, arthritis and many others - and is working with the government to try and get the profession regulated.
Reflexology isn't medicine.
Reflexologists aren't doctors and don't diagnose or write prescriptions.
Reflexology isn't a foot rub and it isn't a massage.... and no, it does not come with happy endings.
So...... what exactly is it?
***
"Reflexology is a focused pressure technique directed at the feet or hands. It is based on the premise that there are zones and reflexes on different parts of the body which correspond to and are relative to all parts, glands and organs of the entire body." 1
"Manipulating specific reflexes removes stress and activates the parasympathetic response allowing for a physiological change in the body. With the stress removed and circulation enhanced, the body is assisted to return to a state of homeostatis (normal)." 1
"Reflexology claims 4 main benefits - relaxation, enhanced circulation, assistance to the body to normalize metabolism and a complement to all other healing modalities". 1
"Reflexology dates back to the late 14th century, where a form of reflexology called "Zone Therapy" was introduced in Europe. Dr. William Fitzgerald found that when he applied pressure to specific points or areas of the body, an anesthetic effect could be induced. Not only could pain be relieved, but also the conditions producing the pain." 1,2
These theories were further advanced and began to spread across the US.
Eunice Ingham (1979-1974) was instrumental in the evolution of modern foot reflexology and wrote and published numerous books in the 1930's including "Stories the Feet Can Tell" that are still used by Reflexologists today. 2
My Reflexology instructor just received her first prescription for Reflexology two weeks ago and recently announced that it was becoming an addition to the nursing curriculum.
This is no fluffy, foot massage - and the evolution is happening fast.
***
Imagine that all I'm saying is true ... imagine for just one moment that our bodies were created with such intelligence that our hands and feet are actual reflections or mirrors of our entire body - a perfect picture of a mini me that could be used as an opportunity to heal and align our nervous system into optimal performance.
What if we apply the same theory of preventative maintenance to ourselves as we do to the machines in our homes and workplaces - will our immune system be stronger, our energy replenished, our body detoxed and is it possible for our mental function to improve?
I'm hoping then that the question starts to shift from why would you try Reflexology - to why wouldn't you?
(Yes, I'm touching your feet. Psychologically you need to get over that part.)
***
By the end of May, I hope to have my certification finalized.
This involves passing a 3 hour anatomy exam and completing 70 hours of practical experience on volunteer clients.
A pass is 80%.
(I guess you can't only know half the body parts and their functions to be overly effective. Probably wise.)
Maybe then, I will partner with one or two people to be able to practice in different cities.
Maybe I will start approaching companies for an employee Wellness Day where I could be onsite - offer a Lunch N Learn seminar on Reflexology and it's benefits and offer mini sessions through out the day to demonstrate what it's all about.
Maybe I could be part of an annual Strategy meeting or Sales meeting as an educational component on the importance of self-care.
Maybe I incorporate personal coaching as an additional vertical.
I don't really know how it's all going to unfold at the moment and I'm okay with that.
What I do know is I am absolutely floored at what I've learned and seen so far and I want to use Reflexology as a gateway to help others --- and if just one person comes to see me after reading this post to try it out - and leaves, feeling remotely better than they arrived - then I consider the time spent writing and educating a win.
1 - Ontario College of Reflexology - N101 Text
2 - The Reflexology Healing Handbook - Denise Whichello Brown
