When I think about the women in Iowa who are truly changing the narrative, one name rises to the top: La Toshia Burrell. She is a licensed massage therapist, entrepreneur, former coach, and proud single mom. But beyond the titles and accolades, she is a woman who has learned to bet on herself and, in the process, created a space for others to heal.
This week on the Black. Girl. Iowa. podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with La Toshia to hear her story. From growing up biracial in Fort Dodge to founding Redefine & Reveal Massage Therapy and Bodywork, her journey is one of faith, resilience, and unwavering commitment to community
Growing Up in Fort Dodge: Identity and Belonging
Fort Dodge may be one of Iowa’s larger towns, but for a Black or biracial child, it can still feel isolating. La Toshia shared what it meant to grow up as one of the only Black or biracial students in her class and on her sports teams.
Athletics shaped her childhood—softball, basketball, volleyball, track. She was the only student-athlete to compete in all four sports through high school. But while sports gave her discipline and drive, they also exposed her to the constant push-and-pull of identity:
- Too Black for some. Too white for others.
- Navigating racist comments from teammates.
- Feeling distant from Black peers who questioned her social circles.
Her story resonates with so many of us who make up the 4% of Iowa’s Black population. We know the tug-of-war between pride in our identity and the exhausting effort of belonging. As La Toshia said, “At the end of the day, I’m just me. My experiences shape me, but they don’t define all of who I am”
Education, Athletics, and the Call to Heal
La Toshia went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in fitness management from Wartburg College and a master’s in exercise science from the University of Northern Iowa. Her dream was to coach at the collegiate level—and she did. But the deeper call was always there: the healing power of touch.
She described how anatomy and physiology fascinated her. As an athlete and coach, she knew how the body worked, how it held pain, and how it could be trained to recover. That knowledge, paired with her gift of touch, became the foundation of her career as a massage therapistla-emili.
“I always knew I had this gift. People would ask me to rub their shoulders, and I could find the muscles, the knots, the tension. Over time I realized—it wasn’t just a skill. It was a calling.” – La Toshia Burrell
Redefine & Reveal: Changing the Narrative of Massage
What began as a vision became a business. As a single mom navigating unhealthy workplace environments, La Toshia decided to leap into entrepreneurship. With courage and faith, she opened Redefine & Reveal Massage Therapy and Bodywork.
Her mission is simple yet profound:
- Redefine: Give new meaning to massage therapy—not as a luxury, but as essential health care.
- Reveal: Uncover what has been hidden—whether that’s stored trauma in the body, tension in the fascia, or the simple truth that every person deserves safe, healing touchla-emili.
La Toshia is passionate about educating clients. She explains how massage can address chronic pain, improve sleep, ease depression, and support long-term wellness. She takes time to teach clients about fascia, posture, and body mechanics. In her words, “Massage therapy is not just about relaxation—it’s about liberation.”
Render a Respite: Healing for the Untouched
One of the most powerful aspects of La Toshia’s work is Render a Respite, a trauma-informed program she created to serve people who might otherwise never access massage therapy.
For as little as $10, community members can donate toward a session for someone experiencing hardship, trauma, or financial barriers. Sometimes nonprofit partners refer clients. Sometimes a friend nominates someone in need. And sometimes, La Toshia simply opens her doors, no questions asked.
The stories that come out of Render a Respite are deeply moving. Clients cry during sessions, releasing emotions stored for years. Others discover, for the first time, what it feels like to be touched with compassion and safety. As La Toshia says, “Safe touch is good for the soul. It’s powerful, and it can transform lives.”
Awards, Recognition, and Staying Grounded
La Toshia’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was named a 2025 Des Moines Business Record 40 Under 40 honoree and the 2024 West Des Moines Chamber DEI Emerging Leader of the Year.
While these accolades matter, she admits that they aren’t the point. “Awards are nice, but they’re not the purpose,” she told me. “The real work is showing up every day, serving my clients, and staying true to my mission.”
The Challenges of Entrepreneurship
La Toshia was candid about the struggles of starting a business:
- Battling imposter syndrome, even when others see success.
- Learning to ask for and accept help—whether paid expertise or mentorship.
- Facing the financial and emotional challenges of being a single mom and business owner.
Yet through it all, she’s held on to her faith and community. She’s leaned on mentors—particularly Black women in Des Moines who modeled what it looks like to step into entrepreneurship. And she’s learned that she doesn’t have to do everything alone.
Advice: Do It Afraid
When I asked her what advice she’d give to another Black woman—or anyone—ready to launch their vision, her response was immediate:
- Do it afraid. You’ll never feel fully ready. Start anyway.
- Stay true to your mission. Let your values guide you, not comparison.
- Collaborate instead of compete. In community, we all rise together
Her words reminded me of something I’ve had to learn in my own journey with this podcast: we control nothing, so why not take a chance?
Final Thoughts
Talking with La Toshia was a reminder that healing isn’t optional—it’s necessary. Our bodies, our minds, and our spirits deserve care. And sometimes that care looks like rest. Sometimes it looks like therapy. And sometimes, it looks like trusting a pair of healing hands to help you release what you’ve been carrying.
La Toshia is redefining what massage therapy means in Iowa, and she’s revealing what’s possible when we bet on ourselves, lean into community, and say yes to purpose.
✨ Support La Toshia’s Work
- Website: redefineandreveal.com
- Social: @redefineandreveal on Facebook & Instagram
- Email: massage@redefineandreveal.com
- Donate: Contribute $10+ to Render a Respite and help sponsor a healing session
Black. Girl. Iowa. 