Meet Kim Marie Rasmussen | aka The Zen Wrangler | Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, Sound Healer, Hypnotherapist & Somatic Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Marie Rasmussen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim Marie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business came from a much deeper place than simply wanting to work for myself. After years hustling in corporate sales and marketing, I became increasingly fascinated by the growing disconnection so many people were experiencing from themselves. I witnessed firsthand how chronic stress, overwhelm, and the demands of modern life were showing up not only mentally and emotionally, but physically within the body as well.

At the same time, I was navigating a profound transformation of my own. What began as a lighthearted piece of advice from my acupuncturist aunt to “wrangle in my Zen” eventually became something far more meaningful. It became a guiding philosophy and a reminder that balance, alignment, and self-connection are not luxuries reserved for special occasions – they are essential components of a well-lived life.

That realization inspired the creation of The Zen Wrangler Bodyworks, a grounded yet cosmic cowgirl-inspired studio in Old Town Lafayette designed to help people slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with themselves through therapeutic bodywork, massage, Reiki, and sound healing. As my work evolved, so did my curiosity about the deeper connections between the body, the subconscious mind, emotional patterns, and human transformation.

That exploration led to the creation of Teal Moon Wellness, where hypnotherapy and somatic coaching help individuals release limiting patterns, navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience, and step into their next chapter with more clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

At the heart of both businesses is the same intention: to help people come home to themselves. To create space for greater peace, deeper alignment, and meaningful transformation in mind, body, and energy – and of course, with just a little bit of magic woven into the journey along the way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets my work apart is the way I bridge therapeutic wellness with a deeper understanding of stress, subconscious patterns, emotional holding, and personal transformation. Whether through bodywork, sound healing, hypnotherapy, or somatic coaching, my intention is never simply to provide a service. It is to create an experience where people feel genuinely seen, deeply supported, and able to reconnect with themselves in a meaningful and lasting way.

Over the years, I realized that people are rarely carrying stress only in their calendars. They are carrying it in their shoulders, their jaw, their sleep, their relationships, their decision making, and often in the way they relate to themselves. Recognizing that changed everything about how I approached wellness. It shifted my focus from addressing symptoms alone to helping people understand the deeper patterns influencing how they think, feel, show up, and move through life.

My path to this work was anything but linear. Before becoming an entrepreneur, I spent years in sales and marketing navigating ambitious production goals, high-performance expectations, and the constant pressure to achieve the next milestone. While those experiences taught me invaluable lessons about business, communication, leadership, and human behavior, they also revealed how easily success can come at the expense of well-being. Like many people, I experienced firsthand what it feels like to become disconnected from yourself while constantly striving for more.

Building these businesses required me to trust a path that was often uncertain. There were moments of self-doubt, unexpected challenges, and plenty of opportunities to turn back. Instead, I chose to continue learning, growing, and following the deeper calling that kept pulling me forward. That commitment ultimately became the foundation for both The Zen Wrangler Bodyworks and Teal Moon Wellness.

Perhaps the greatest lesson this journey has taught me is that transformation rarely happens within the boundaries of comfort. Growth requires courage, curiosity, and a willingness to meet yourself honestly. More than ever, people are craving authentic connection, meaningful support, and spaces where they can simply exhale and be themselves.

At the heart of everything I do is a belief that when people feel supported in mind, body, and spirit, they become more resilient, more aligned, and more capable of creating the lives they truly want. My work exists to help make that possible, with a grounded approach, a transformational lens, and just a touch of cosmic cowgirl magic woven throughout.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
People often ask me what makes Old Town Lafayette so special, and honestly, it’s difficult to explain until you’ve experienced it for yourself. On paper, it’s a small Colorado town. In reality, it’s a vibrant community where creativity, entrepreneurship, wellness, art, food, and genuine human connection all seem to coexist in a way that feels increasingly rare. It has a warmth to it. The kind of place where strangers become familiar faces, local business owners know your name, and a simple afternoon walk can turn into three unexpected conversations and a new friendship.

If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d tell them to clear their schedule because we’re going to slow down and fully experience what makes this town magical.

Our mornings would begin at East Simpson Coffee Company with coffee in hand and nowhere in particular to be. Located just a block from my studio, The Zen Wrangler Bodyworks, it’s one of those places that perfectly captures the welcoming spirit of Lafayette. From there, we’d wander through Old Town’s charming streets, discovering the independent businesses, creative spaces, and hidden gems that give the area so much character.

One of our first stops would be Little Herbal Apothecary. Walking through the door feels like stepping into a contemporary herbalist’s sanctuary, filled with herbal wisdom, wellness treasures, and just the right amount of magic. We’d spend time browsing Thalken, admiring their thoughtfully curated collection of artisan goods, candles, gifts, and home décor. We’d explore Kaleidoscope Fine Art Gallery, where Jonathan Hanst has created a space that celebrates both artistic expression and community connection. We’d also stop into Silver Peak Jewelry Arts, where handcrafted wearable art reflects the creativity and craftsmanship woven throughout Lafayette.

The shopping adventure would continue with visits to Vintrey Honest Goods for bohemian vintage finds and Tibetan Souvenirs for globally inspired treasures, handcrafted textiles, spiritual pieces, and beautiful imports. Each shop tells its own story, and together they create the wonderfully eclectic personality that makes Old Town feel unlike anywhere else.

Of course, no Lafayette experience would be complete without exceptional food.

The local dining scene consistently surprises people, offering a level of quality and variety you might expect from a much larger city. We’d absolutely make time for Detroit-style pizza and a couple of bevvies at Ghost Box Pizza, a local favorite that somehow feels both effortlessly cool and completely approachable. We’d stop at Stam Chocolates for dessert and, if we’re being honest, probably leave with more than one. Teocalli Cocina would be another essential destination, particularly for their legendary Salsa Macha, a peanut salsa I recommend so frequently that it has practically become part of my personality.

One evening would be reserved for sunset at Acreage by Stem Ciders. With cider flights in hand and panoramic views of the Front Range stretching across the horizon, it’s one of those places that reminds you exactly why Colorado is such a remarkable place to live. We’d also make room for local favorites like The Post Brewing Company, Tip Top Savory Pies, Community, Tangerine, and Cherry’s Cheesecakes & Delights. The truth is the list could go on and on, there are far too many incredible places to eat and never quite enough time to experience them all.

Because wellness is such a meaningful part of both my life and my work, I’d also weave moments of restoration into the week. Perhaps a massage session, a sound healing experience, or simply a walk around Waneka Lake while talking about life, our dreams, and whatever unexpected insights decide to surface along the way.

Yet for all of the wonderful shops, restaurants, galleries, and experiences, what truly makes Lafayette special is its people.

The artists, musicians, small business owners, entrepreneurs, wellness practitioners, and community builders here genuinely care about one another. There is always something happening, whether it’s a farmers market, live music, art walk, local festival, patio gathering, or spontaneous conversation that leaves you feeling inspired long after it ends.

That’s the magic of Old Town Lafayette. People arrive expecting a charming small town and leave having discovered something much more meaningful. They leave feeling connected, welcomed, and a little bit inspired.

More often than not, they leave asking themselves the same question: “Wait… should I move here?”

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I have to give an enormous shoutout to my husband, Jesse, for believing in me through every chapter of this journey. He has supported not only my vision, but also every leap of faith, reinvention, wild pivot, and cosmic cowgirl dream along the way. Building businesses while growing into the person capable of leading them requires a tremendous amount of courage. Having someone who wholeheartedly believes in you, even when the path ahead is uncertain, is a gift I never take for granted.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to Jill Berkana and the entire Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy community. Jill’s dedication to advancing excellence within the therapeutic bodywork profession is nothing short of extraordinary. She is a visionary leader, a fierce advocate for quality education, and a mentor whose wisdom, integrity, and generosity have profoundly influenced both my personal growth and professional development. The Berkana alumni community is filled with exceptionally talented practitioners who are deeply devoted to their craft, and being surrounded by that level of skill, passion, and professionalism has continually inspired me to elevate my own work and the care I provide to clients.

And of course, a heartfelt thank you to my family, friends, networking partners, collaborators, and clients who, quite frankly, absolutely rock the casbah. Their encouragement, trust, referrals, partnerships, support, and belief in what I do have played an invaluable role in shaping both The Zen Wrangler Bodyworks and Teal Moon Wellness. Every conversation, recommendation, collaboration, and kind word has contributed to the growth of these businesses and the community that surrounds them.

Building something meaningful is never a solo endeavor. It takes a community of people who believe in your vision, support your growth, and celebrate your successes right alongside you. I am deeply grateful for mine and honored to continue this journey surrounded by such remarkable people.

Website: https://www.thezenwrangler.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezenwrangler/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmrasmussen

Soundcloud: Personal Business with Kim, the Zen Wrangler! https://www.mixcloud.com/kscoperadio/personal-business-with-kim-the-zen-wrangler/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.rasmussen.96

Other: https://www.tealmoonwellness.com/
@tealmoonwellness

https://www.facebook.com/kim.rasmussen.96/

Image Credits
Lynn Townsend