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Headshot of COCC massage therapy graduate Brighton.Brighton Loughlin

Massage Therapy graduate
Owner, Bodywork by Brighton

Growing up in Mount Shasta, California, Brighton Loughlin's childhood was spent outside skiing, kayaking, climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking. Of course, those adventurous activities are not without risk, and after experiencing several sports injuries, Brighton became curious about the healing arts, leading him to pursue a career in massage therapy, breathwork, and movement coaching.

"I chose to pursue a career in massage therapy because I knew I wanted to work with people, the human body, and the healing arts," Loughlin says. That desire led him to Central Oregon, where the Massage Therapy programs at COCC catalyzed his passion for the bodywork and health care industries. The most impactful learning experience for Loughlin happened in the hands-on clinics. "I was introduced to the experience of having helped someone feel more comfortable, capable, and empowered in their health. That feeling is still what drives me today in my career," he says.

Today, Loughlin owns and operates a massage therapy, breathwork, and movement coaching business in Bend, crediting much of his success to his time at COCC. "I felt completely prepared to pursue a career in massage therapy after completing COCC's LMT program." he says. "My education at COCC laid the necessary foundation for me to begin to distinguish myself as a massage therapist in the industry."

"I was introduced to the experience of having helped someone feel more comfortable, capable, and empowered in their health. That feeling is still what drives me today in my career."

Headshot of COCC massage therapy graduate Sarah.Sarah Golden

Massage Therapy graduate

Sarah Golden was inspired to pursue a career in massage therapy because of her experience with chronic back pain. "Massage therapy played a big role in my well-being and ongoing relief," she says. "Wanting to pay it forward and help others in pain just like me made me seek out a career in massage therapy." She chose COCC for its affordable program options and beautiful location in Central Oregon.

One of Golden's more transformative learning experiences at COCC was with Zen Shiatsu, a therapy technique that combines Western and Eastern knowledge. "Zen Shiatsu brought me out of my black-and-white thinking and taught me to approach things with curiosity, intuition, movement, flow, and confidence," she says. The supportive and caring learning environment, teamwork, and consistent encouragement from COCC's faculty members have helped Sarah grow in her knowledge, skills, and interpersonal communication. "I was challenged and supported all at the same time, which made for a great learning environment all around and made me a more confident learner and student," she says.

Golden feels prepared for her future career because of the sturdy foundation of knowledge she found at COCC. "Having the option to work toward an AAS in Massage Therapy gave me the building blocks needed to advance my skills and education level as well as my ability in my craft. The great selection of classes taught me not only skills in massage therapy but also went into business practices, ethics, interpersonal communications, computers, and many more, equipping me to step out into the career world with confidence," she says.

"I was challenged and supported all at the same time, which made for a great learning environment all around and made me a more confident learner and student."

"COCC was an encouraging and supportive learning environment from the start, which made it much easier for me to build community with others and learn about my strengths and challenges in a productive and nurturing way," she says. "I will always look back very fondly on my COCC experience."