Mystic model masseur - Stripping down is compulsory

A masseur need not be the tall, dark good-looking type as seen in the movies, but this one is. Brent Pierre fits the bill. However, the Swedish massage therapist, model and plant attendant at National Petroleum Marketing Co Ltd said he doesn’t use his “sexy image” to win clients, but his “personality more than anything else”.

Out of the more than 300 clients of all walks of life he has seen in his three years as massage therapist, Brent maintains strict professionalism, never straying from his code of moral ethics. The six-footer, who’s accustomed to gracing catwalks in just trousers or sometimes, taking photo shoots for print commercials in just Speedos, said the latter is a “no no”. It has nothing to do with the formalities in the massage room where he must wear full-length trousers and preferably a T-shirt, but his new-found religion. Brent was baptised a member of the Trinidad Christian Centre; a faith he said, which profoundly influences his thinking and way of life. “I have to watch the jobs that I do,” he said and wearing Speedos as model, “is encouraging people to lust”.

Brent was discovered by Coco Velvet International’s Christopher Nathan and on following up on the invitation to be a model and make some added money, he signed up with the model agency. Apart from appearing in television and print commercials including TIDCO brochures, Brent got the opportunity to participate in shows in Jamaica and Venezuela. “It was like having a paid vacation,” was how he described it. Experiences, he revealed, he doesn’t regret. But the 31-year-old, originally from San Juan, who has had to tolerate a lot of taunts and negative talk about his pursuits as model is now able to shrug off similar comments about his hobby in question. “Yuh get fatigue,” Brent didn’t want to list any of the comments. “I’ve learned more than ever not to take on what people are going to say about you. They’re gonna say things about you anyway... Once what I do doesn’t question my character and what I stand for. I believe that if you have a goal and a dream to pursue, just go for it,” Brent said.

He was the shy type. “Before you couldn’t get me to go up on a ramp but the modelling has enhanced my self-esteem. My confidence has grown and I have learned how to deal with the public.” As a result of being “blessed with soft hands”, inherited from his mother he laughed, and responding to a newspaper advertisement Brent did what many consider daunting. He thought it interesting to “Learn massage therapy!,” the ad read. “Earn some money in your spare time!” The Trinidad and Tobago College of Therapeutic Massage and Beauty Culture Ltd in Marabella was offering the course. “I saw it as being a part time job,” he said. Showing off his smooth hands he was quick to defend himself saying he does chores — “yard work, cleaning and cutting of grass around the house”. He also does barbering. At the end of ten months Brent obtained his Certificate in Massage Therapy. A year later he obtained his licence which allows him to work internationally. “Doctors can also refer their clients to someone with a licence upon their discretion,” he informed. He performs Swedish massages, a relaxing technique which reduces muscle pain and frees the body of stress. “Every human being should have one massage a week. The massage improves blood circulation, joint mobility and flexibility which has a positive effect on the immune system. It also helps remove dead cells,” said Brent.

I got a glimpse of the professional at work. He made a house call on one of his regular clients. With the permission of the client, I was privileged to enter the “operating” room. Dressed down to undergarments his female client lay on her stomach and was covered up to the neck with a blanket. With the use of jasmine oil, he smothered his palms and began massaging her back. Most commonly used, he revealed, was grape oil. She suffered from pains in the back and neck and tiredness in the legs from standing on the job. “At the end of the massage I felt very relaxed. My pains were relieved.  I have the massage at least once a month, though every two weeks is better. It’s very beneficial for keeping the skin firmed and toned and increasing the blood circulation,” she said. “But my masseur has strong hands, you don’t want somebody who is weak. You want somebody who applies good pressure.” All clients must adhere to strict protocol — no wearing of jewelry, glasses, contact lenses. They must have no open lesions or illnesses.

Stripping down to no clothing is compulsory. He cautioned that there are “endangerment sites” or areas that are not massaged. These include the navel, back of knees, eyes and elbow. “Also there should be no stimulation of genital organs or nipples,” Brent warned. “If someone has a fever or feels nauseated, massage is not advisable.” A consultation with the individual to ascertain their health history or “form of wellness” and feedback from the client in the form of a “massage record” lets him know if the massage could be done or continued. Currently, he is taking a course in Reflexology, a system of massaging specific areas of the foot or sometimes the hand in order to promote healing, relieving stress, etc in other parts of the body.

He explained: “Someone may be overly conscious of having scars and marks or cellulite and may not want to have the body massage done, so Reflexology is done.” Yes, there are times when Brent needs to de-stress. He remembered being the only volunteer for a massage when everyone else in his class shied away on the tutor’s request. “It was very relaxing, like I was in a real drowsy state, but it was refreshing!” He admitted, though: “My job can be stressful.  The smoke from the Beetham landfill and the heat of the warehouse adds to the stress, but it’s something I have grown accustomed to over the years.” (As plant attendant at NP where he has worked for seven years, he is responsible for preparing raw materials for the Lube oil blending section.) He told of how he personally relieves stress. “I relax when I go to the cinema,” with his girlfriend, he said, “and at church. Praising and worshiping the Lord is like Bible university, you sit talk about scriptures and it made me read the Bible some more. That’s relaxing.” Brent’s not in the gym as often as she should, but enjoys cardio training and playing football.