Life and reflections of a masseur in Belgium

This blog explores the life of a masseur — not only through hands and technique, but through ideas, philosophy, culture, migration, and human connection. It invites readers into the mind and heart behind the practice. It is intellectual and reflective, yet also a natural way to show who I am and what I offer. In sharing these stories, I do not merely advertise massage; I share the life that shapes it.

What I Learned After Giving 500+ Massages
John Lester Roque John Lester Roque

What I Learned After Giving 500+ Massages

A year and a half ago, I was still unsure whether massage was something I would seriously pursue. 

For most of my professional life, I worked as an accountant and auditor. I wore formal clothes, worked with financial statements and spent my days in offices. Now, I touch people for a living.

Someone once asked me, “Isn’t that a step backwards?”

Perhaps, on paper, it looked that way. I left a respected corporate career for a profession that many people still underestimate. But after giving more than 500 massage sessions, I no longer see it as moving backwards.

I moved closer to people.

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THE FILIPINA WHO DARED TO TRY
John Lester Roque John Lester Roque

THE FILIPINA WHO DARED TO TRY

On a summer evening in 2023, in a half-renovated home in Zeebrugge, on the coast of Belgium, a group of Filipinos gathered around a table heavy with seafood.

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THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO GIVE UP: Izabela and Her Journey to the Himalayas
John Lester Roque John Lester Roque

THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO GIVE UP: Izabela and Her Journey to the Himalayas

I met Izabela two years ago in a Dutch class. I never imagined that one day, I would be helping her prepare for a Himalayan expedition. From our massage sessions to the stories she shared afterward, her climb became more than an adventure — it became a lesson on resilience, fear, and the hunger for testing one’s limits.

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Sponsor a coffee for my next article! 

The articles I write were carefully researched (with reliable sources from Harvard Medical School, World Health Organisation and only through trusted online sites). I also give personal insights based on my experience and from the people I have interviewed (provided they agree to share the information of course).

My goal is to educate and inspire — to help more people understand the benefits of massage, wellness, and living a healthier life physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Mostly I write at home. Sometimes, I go out for a fresh air and inspiration so you’ll find me writing in a coffeeshop, on a train, or in between massage sessions in saunas and hotels.

I did notice that I get motivated to write when I am supported, not only monetarily but also in small gestures, like when people sponsor a coffee.

Thank you for supporting my advocacy. 💛

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Do you want me to write and research about a specific topic?

Interested to collaborate? Let me know! I can’t wait to hear from you!

info@houseofpeacemassage.be
(32) 469 23 40 42