Colin Ward - Owner
Brief Summary
My name is Colin Ward. I am the Owner of Onward Massage, located in Oaklyn, NJ. I am a Licensed Massage Therapist with over 4 years of hands on experience. My work is centered around relaxing and calming your Nervous System. The goal here is to bring you to a place that is needed for the body to heal. I have always believed the body has an incredible capacity to heal when given the right support. My Journey into Massage Therapy took some time but started when I was 16 years old as my fascination with the Human Brain & Body started to emerge. I was intrigued by how they are so intricately connected. A strong body and mind will become the highest valued asset in the decades to follow as we dig deeper and deeper into technological advancements. Investing in your Health and Wellness will yield a return on investment I truly believe is priceless.
“What you did with your hands has quite literally changed my life. After years of chronic pain & tension, my legs and feet feel Alive again in a way I haven’t experienced since 2018.”
Michael H. Trumbo - Client
A Deeper Dive
Health and Wellness was not always a top priority for me. From an early age I struggled immensely with various types of addictions. By the time I was just 16 years old I had struggled with Nicotine dependency, frequent THC use and was prescribed Vyvanse (60mg) for ADHD. This ultimately led to a catastrophic crash, my body and brain felt completely broken. Desperate for change I started to do my own research online about natural ways to combat symptoms of ADHD and ways to feel better both physically and mentally. This is when I stumbled upon a myriad of YouTube “fitness” influencers who spoke about the benefits of Resistance Weight Training. These guys were strong and fit, and I wanted to be just like them. At 17 years old, after finally obtaining a drivers license, I joined a local gym. Lifting weights is one of a few decisions that I attribute to saving my life. Lifting weights requires you to use your bodies stored energy to push yourself deeper and deeper into the psyche. It allows a beautiful blend of mind and body training to occur. Every single person deserves to feel what consistent weight training can do for them.
Another Life Saving Decision
I got my first Massage when I was just 16 years old. I will never forget that massage. My nervous system was so shot and stuck in a constant loop of fight or flight due to the various substances I was constantly juggling. The Massage Therapist guided me inward to my breath. It was the first time I felt I was consciously aware of the rise and fall of my diaphragm. The calming sensation that proceeded that massage stuck with me & I was forever changed. I would use my money from serving tables at my aunts restaurant to make a monthly massage apart of my routine. It is a masterful skill to be able to guide someone back to themselves and allow them to naturally heal from within. Now, I do not believe that Massage Therapy is an end all be all savior. There are times where medical intervention is the only thing that can help a person, but it is a great place to start if there is no severe disease or implication. If you feel run down, lethargic and at your wits end, I believe Massage Therapy has the power to shift you to a state of healing.