The Health Initiative is thrilled to present its next "Real Woman," Dana Briley, who demonstrates a passion for healthy living in both her personal life and her professional life by embracing the practices of medical massage, personal responsibility, and volunteerism.
Dana Briley moved to Atlanta from Nashville on November 1, 1990 (Happy 20th Anniversary, Dana!). The impetus behind the move was a desire to be in a city where she was free and comfortable to live as a lesbian and become an active member of the lesbian community.
Once settled in Atlanta, Dana continued her career in corporate restaurant management, and for the next seven years, regularly worked 70-80 hour weeks. Dana enjoyed many aspects of the restaurant industry, but lacked that healthy balance that she now tirelessly preaches to her patients and friends. After moving to Atlanta for the golden opportunity to live openly and honestly, she found herself without any time to really embrace the thriving lesbian community that moved around her.
Dana was in her late 30s when a good friend mentioned that she should consider a career in massage therapy. Dana was resistant at first, but soon decided to take a leap of faith that she now refers to as "the best thing that ever happened to me." Upon her graduation from Atlanta School of Massage in 1998, Dana built her practice around the philosophy that "massage should be therapeutic, but also feel good." She incorporates heat, aroma therapy, and hot stone work to create a tranquil experience for her patients, who have the option of coming to the professional massage studio in Dana’s home, having Dana travel with her massage table to their homes, or setting an appointment with her at Café of Life Chiropractic Center. Beginning in early August, Dana will have a massage studio in Dr. Danielle Drobbin’s (formerly of Café of Life) new office on Juniper Street, Midtown Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center.
At this point in her career, Dana is focused on treating women and particularly women in the gay community. Dana explains: "The health of our community is very important to me. A woman has the tendency to take care of everyone but herself, and doesn’t always take personal responsibility for educating herself and asking the right questions. We need to learn how to eat well and exercise to control our weight, blood pressure, sugar levels, digestive issues and even our mental health."
Dana doesn’t pretend to be perfect, and even admits to a few vices ("I LOVE good wine!"), but when she confronts health issues of her own, she pauses and examines her habits and lifestyle before turning to quick fixes or unnatural remedies. A case of acid reflux earlier this year prompted Dana to try an elimination diet that quickly uncovered coffee as the perpetrator: "I love coffee, but I had to give it up, because giving it up is better than taking a little purple pill."
Part of Dana’s health regimen is a healthy social life. Dana attended and enjoyed Fourth Tuesday events at the beginning of the decade, but it was her experience volunteering for the Obama campaign (and the campaign’s emphasis on continued volunteerism) that prompted her to take a more active role in Fourth Tuesday over the last couple of years. Dana stepped into Shirley Adam’s role of communicating upcoming events to the large email list-serve of Fourth Tuesday members, and notes that Fourth Tuesday continues to fill the important role of “reaching out to all women and bringing them together in support and camaraderie.” Dana is especially proud of the group’s diversity: “We have blossomed into this group of all ages and backgrounds. Everyone is represented.” From happy hours to dinners to ghost tours and white-water rafting, the events and opportunities are just as diverse as the women.
Dana Briley is not one to sit still. She continues to expand her massage practice, and is committed to offering large discounts to women in our community. Dana will also remain very involved in Fourth Tuesday, and also envisions a time when the Health Initiative is able to expand their current offering of financial and medical resources to include practical resources for women in need. Dana cites pet-sitting, grocery shopping, and rides to the doctor as “practical needs” that could be provided by volunteers to women in our community who are dealing with health-related issues. More than anything, Dana hopes to inspire women in our community to take charge of their health, which includes “taking a ‘me’ day every once in awhile.”
In closing, Real Woman features Dana's answers to nine questions adapted from the well-known Proust Questionnaire:
What is your idea of happiness? Fitting into my skinny jeans while eating ice cream.
What quality do you most admire in a person? Resilience
Who are your heroes in real life? Only one: My Grandmother, Dana H. Briley. She raised me. She was like "Aunt Bea.” Her purpose in life was to make others happy. She was the kindest person I have ever known.
What is it that you most dislike? Bigotry
What natural gift would you most like to possess? To be able to paint the beauty I see
What is your favorite occupation? Massage Therapy... of course!
What is your favorite exercise? Yoga
What is your favorite color? Purple
How would you like your tombstone to read? She Lived, She Loved, She Laughed … She made a difference.
