Exploring Life & Business with Lera McNamara of BreatheNow Massage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lera McNamara.

Hi Lera, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into massage therapy has been shaped by a combination of education, athletics, entrepreneurship, and life experiences. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and have a background in physical therapy, which gave me a strong understanding of the body, movement, recovery, and helping people feel their best. I was also a former Division I athlete, so I’ve always had a passion for wellness and performance.

Before starting BreatheNow Massage in Georgia, I previously built and helped grow a massage business in Puerto Rico, where I gained experience not only in massage therapy but also in creating systems and building meaningful client relationships.

Life eventually brought me back to Georgia, where I found myself rebuilding, balancing motherhood, supporting family, and creating a fresh start. Through that journey, I developed an even deeper appreciation for the importance of slowing down and taking care of ourselves.

That experience is a big part of why I created BreatheNow Massage. I wanted to create more than just a massage service — I wanted to create a personalized in-home experience where clients feel cared for, supported, and leave feeling better physically and mentally. Watching the business grow through local relationships and word-of-mouth has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited to continue serving Lake Arrowhead and surrounding areas.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve had to balance building a business while navigating major life changes, family responsibilities, and motherhood. There were seasons where I was learning to wear many hats at once while creating stability and continuing to move forward.

Building a business also comes with challenges of its own — earning trust, growing through word-of-mouth, creating systems, and learning every aspect of entrepreneurship. There were moments of uncertainty and long days, but each challenge taught me something valuable.

Looking back, those experiences strengthened me and gave me an even deeper appreciation for wellness and self-care. They also shaped the way I care for clients today. I understand how stress and life can affect the body, which is why I’m passionate about creating a personalized experience where people can slow down, breathe, and leave feeling better than when they arrived.

As you know, we’re big fans of BreatheNow Massage. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
BreatheNow Massage is a luxury in-home massage therapy business serving Lake Arrowhead and surrounding areas. I specialize in personalized, results-driven bodywork designed to help clients feel better physically while also creating an experience where they can truly relax and recharge.

What sets BreatheNow apart is that I don’t believe massage should be a one-size-fits-all service. Every session begins with understanding the client’s goals and what their body needs that day. I combine my background in Exercise Science, physical therapy, and massage therapy to create customized sessions focused on pain relief, recovery, mobility, stress reduction, and overall wellness.

As a former Division I athlete, I’ve always been passionate about movement and helping people perform and feel their best. I’ve also had the opportunity to build and grow a massage business in Puerto Rico, which gave me valuable experience and strengthened my passion for helping others through wellness.

One thing I’m especially proud of is seeing BreatheNow grow through local relationships and word-of-mouth. There’s something very rewarding about helping people feel better and then hearing them tell friends and family about their experience. My goal is for every client to feel cared for, supported, and leave feeling better than when they arrived.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is spending quality time with my son, being around family, and seeing the people I care about doing well. Some of my favorite moments are actually the simple ones — being outside, spending time on the lake, going for walks, laughing with family, and being fully present.

I also enjoy running and swimming. As a former Division I athlete, movement and staying active have always been a big part of my life. It’s something that helps me reset, clear my mind, and take care of myself physically and mentally.

I genuinely love helping people through my work as well. There’s something really rewarding about seeing someone walk into a session stressed, overwhelmed, or in pain and watching them leave feeling lighter, more relaxed, and better than when they arrived. Knowing I’ve made a positive impact on someone’s day is something I never take for granted.

I’ve learned that happiness for me isn’t really about big things — it’s about creating a peaceful life, meaningful relationships, staying active, and building something that helps others while also allowing me to be present for the people I love most.

Pricing:

• 60 minutes-starting at $129
• 90-minutes starting at $169
• 120 minutes starting at $258

Contact Info:

• Website: https://book.heygoldie.com/Breathe-Now-Massage
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breathenowmassage
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577532236010