“Artists of touch” – Barbara Gabbianelli 🎤 📝 Interview with Barbara, the Serbian Massage Championship Sports Massage Champion 🏆🌍We talk not only about winning, but also about the journey, inspiration and the human side. 💬📝The next IMN interview🌍.1. 🌍 Where are you from? and what does it mean to you to represent your country?I’m from Italy, a country with a rich tradition of wellness and care, and live near Rome, where I founded my “BAOBAB Holistic Centre”. Representing Italy is a great honor – it motivates me to bring the best of my skills to the international stage and showcase the dedication and passion that Italian professionals put into massage techniques and profession.2. 🛤 How did your career in the world of massage begin?I have always been deeply interested in people’s wellbeing, which led me to pursue a career as a masseuse. Originally, I trained as a beautician, and after earning my diploma, I started working in this field. Over the past 32 years, I’ve specialized in holistic and therapeutic massage techniques, completing numerous courses and earning diplomas along the way. This long journey has allowed me to blend my passion for beauty and health with hands-on healing, helping many clients improve their wellbeing.3. 💆‍♂️ What was the moment when you decided you wanted to compete?I decided to compete three years ago when I realized how much the participation to championships could challenge me to improve. Watching other professionals push their boundaries inspired me to test my own skills and creativity on a competitive platform.4. 🎯 In which category did you compete and why did you choose it?I competed in the Sports Massage category because it aligns perfectly with my passion and expertise. I enjoy working with athletes to help them optimize performance and recover from intense physical activity, which makes this category very meaningful to me.5. 💡 What is special about your competition program?My competition program is designed to deliver tangible results by combining advanced sports massage techniques with a holistic approach that addresses both physical recovery and mental relaxation. It uniquely integrates manual techniques with professional tools specially studied to enhance athletic performance. By carefully balancing these two methods, I ensure that each athlete receives the personalized touch of hands-on therapy alongside the benefits of modern equipment, all tailored to their individual needs to maximize recovery and performance.6. ⏳ How long have you been preparing for this competition?Honestly, I prepare for the competition every day through my regular work with clients and athletes. I didn’t do anything special just for this event — I just kept doing what I love and what I do best, helping athletes get ready for marathons and other competitions. So, my preparation is really part of my everyday routine.7. 🌟 Which technique is closest to you and why?The deep tissue technique is closest to my heart because it allows me to reach deep muscle layers and address chronic issues, which is essential for athletes recovering from strenuous activity.8. 🏆 What is your greatest professional success so far?For me, the greatest success is the trust I’ve built with my clients who have been coming to me for many years. Being seen as a serious and reliable professional means everything to me. Of course, winning medals like this championship is also important—it’s a wonderful confirmation that I’m doing a good job and motivates me to keep improving.9. ❤️ What feelings do you want to convey with your treatments?I want to convey care, trust, renewal, serenity, wellness, and relaxation. My treatments aim to make clients feel supported and revitalized, both physically and mentally. I strive to give them a moment of peace and calm—a chance to recharge and face their daily lives with renewed energy and balance.10. 🎓 📚 Do you have a professional mentor who has helped you a lot on your journey?Yes, I’ve been fortunate to learn from many experienced mentors over the years who taught me not only advanced techniques but also the importance of empathy and truly connecting with clients. More recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Daniela Caracciuolo, who has been a tremendous support in helping me prepare for championships and competitions. She continues to be a great source of inspiration and guidance in my professional journey.11. 🤝 What is your experience working in the international field?Working internationally has really broadened my perspective by exposing me to diverse techniques and cultures. It’s been an opportunity to learn new methods not commonly used in Italy, grow professionally, and test my skills against other talented professionals. This experience has helped me adapt to different cultural approaches to wellness and continuously improve my practice.12. 🎥 How does social media help you in your professional development?Social media allows me to share my work, connect with other professionals, and stay updated with the latest trends in massage therapy. It’s a valuable tool for learning and growing my network.13. 🚀 What are your plans after the competition?I plan to keep advancing my skills and continue participating in championships to challenge myself and grow. Ultimately, my dream is to open a Massage Academy where I can share my knowledge, train new professionals, and help raise the standards of our field.14. 💖 What message do you have for those who are preparing for their first competition?Stay focused, be patient with your progress, and remember why you started. Competitions are not just about winning—they’re about growth, learning, and pushing your limits. Enjoy them !!15. ✨ In one word: what does this competition mean to you and being a champion?“Validation.” It validates my hard work, passion, and commitment to this profession.🤲 The conversation reveals that the secret to success lies not only in technique, but also in the heart ❤️ and the power of community 🤝.International Massage Association Balkansko takmičenje masaže World Massage Super Cup World Massage Festival Italianmassagecontest Asociatia de Masaj si Terapii Complementare World Association of Nuad Thai & Spa Tengbjerg Sundhedsuddannelser Australian Massage Championship World Massage Therapists Championship World Massage Championship Participants Campionatul Național de Masaj Canadian Massage Championships American Massage Championships Canadian International Massage Therapy Championship World Massage Championships – Krabi Thailand GL- International Massage Movement Anna Baroni – Annabel School Krista Harris: Massage, Aerial Yoga & Meditation GL-National & International Massage Championships Erica Argano American Competitive Massage Alliance Centro Olistico Baobab di Barbara Gabbianelli IMN – International Massage New World Massage Festival & Massage Therapy Hall of Fame INTERNATIONAL MASSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITION (SINGAPORE) International Association​ of ​Nuad​ thai​ International Assembly of Massage Therapists and Professional Schools International Network Masseurs & Massagetherapists World Championship Massage 2025 World Massage Council-WMC World Massage Championship – Manual Therapy – Nuad Thai WMF World Massage Championship 2025 World Massage Conference The European College of Reflexology and Massage Massage Therapist in Europe #massage #champiinship