Courtney Early | Owner

LMT, CMCT, MLD-T, CSP + Holistic Practitioner

Courtney Early, owner, massage therapist, and holistic health coach at The Zen Chameleon
  • Originally from a small town in New Jersey, then moved to Maryland and graduated from Salisbury University in 2013 with my BA in Education. I taught middle schoolers for two years and then moved to Nashville, TN to explore somewhere new. I taught for an additional two years and then decided to change my profession and dip my toes in the wellness field. I taught Yoga (both on land and on a SUP) and went to school to become an LMT.

    I have always enjoyed moving the body through sports, running, and yoga. When I got into my mid-twenties, I started understanding the connection my physical and mental state had with my fitness activity, sleeping habits, emotional state, and eating routines. I began treating myself to bodywork appointments to alleviate aches, muscle soreness, and to relax. This is when I realized the deeper impact massage therapy had on my being and inspired me to want to provide this healing outlet for others.

    I became passionate about how the Lymphatic System plays a role in our overall health and immunity in 2020, when the pandemic hit, and have made it my mission to learn as much as I can about healing the body through inflammation-reducing methods, gut health, and other holistic approaches to minimize stress and aging in the body.

  • Oct. 2017-2018: I earned my massage license after attending Nashville School of Massage Therapy (NSMT). During my initial round of school, I learned how to provide Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Prenatal Massage.

    Nov. 2018-Mar. 2020: I worked at an Ayurvedic Spa where I learned how to provide Ayurvedic Massage techniques such as Dry Brushing, Indian Scalp Massage, Herbal Compress Massage, and Reflexology.

    May 2020: Earned my Holistic Nutritionist and Health & Wellness Coaching credentials through AFPA.

    Apr. 2020: Completed Levels I and II of Reiki Energy Healing training.

    Sep. 2020: Completed a 3-day intensive training to learn Thai Massage and Table Thai techniques with Living Sabai.

    Aug. 2021: Completed 22-hour in-person training to become a Certified Medicupping™ Therapist (CMCT) through Ace Massage Cupping. I learned how to work with layers of the lymphatic system, fascia, and muscle system.

    Jan. 2022: Completed 40-hour in-person training with The Academy of Lymphatic Studies (ACOLS) to receive my Manual Lymphatic Drainage license (MLD-C). I learned how to navigate lymph fluid through the body, head, face, and abdomen using the Vodder Technique.

    Apr. 2022: Completed in-person advanced lymphatic drainage training to work with the liver and gallbladder to aid the body in detoxification and cleansing at Cumberland Institute of Holistic Therapies.

    Jul. 2022: Obtained my Maine Massage Therapy License so I could continue practicing in this beautiful state.

    Jul. 2023: Completed in-person training and earned certification in Arvigo® Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy through the Arvigo® Institute. This ancient practice integrates plant medicine with spiritual healing and reproductive and digestive bodywork, which promotes embodiment and trauma release.

    Aug. 2023: Completed advanced certification in Post-Surgery Lymphatic Drainage with Academy of Lymphatic Studies to be better able to build a post-operative bodywork plan with clients who are just coming out of reconstructive or cosmetic surgery.

    Jan. 2024: I earned Gut Health Nutrition Specialist Certification through AFPA to gain a deeper understanding of imbalances within the digestive system and better develop a plan for clients who are struggling.

    Oct. 2024: I completed the training required to perform NeoLifting® Face Sculpting + Buccal Massage with ProAge Aesthetics Academy to further develop an understanding of how facial muscles function and lose their definition over time. This training equipped me with the knowledge of how emotions play a role in facial muscles, how lymphatic drainage and breathwork further assist skin health, the effectiveness of sculpting and remodeling massage techniques to provide a prolonged natural face lift, and how other factors influence facial posture. This training also taught me how to massage the inside of the oral cavity to relieve tension and pain for those who clench or grind their teeth or suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).

    May 2025: Complete Level 1 & Level 2 Steam Therapy training, earning Certified Steamcare Provider (CSP) Certification and currently working on completing Level 3.

    June 2025: Completed a 4-day Cupping Intensive training with Modern Cupping Therapy, learning cupping techniques to address the muscular system, fascial system, lymphatic system, the face, and for scar reduction, earning Complete Cupping Therapy Practitioner certification.

    Sept. 2025: Studied the Detox by Rebecca technique, developed by Rebecca Faria (a well-known and loved Lymphatic Drainage Specialist in the Beverly Hills community), and earned my certification. This methodology weaves together advanced Brazilian Body Sculpting, Contouring, Cellulite Reduction, and Detoxification techniques.

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    Other certifications held:

    I taught SUP & SUP Yoga when I first dipped my toes into the wellness field.

    Aug. 2015: Stand-Up Paddle Board Instructor Certification with Nashville Paddle Company.

    Mar. 2016: Completed 200 RYT Certification with Shakti School of Power Yoga in Nashville.

    Oct. 2024: Completed Restorative Yoga Teacher Training at Portland Yoga Project with Margo Rosingana.

I strive to provide a comfortable atmosphere for each client; one that welcomes ease, restfulness, and self-attunement. Our time together is sacred and intimate, so I try my best to specially cater every appointment to whatever you may need that day.

I participate in yearly continuing education to continue to enhance my knowledge and to be better able to assist each individual on their road to feeling their best self. I intentionally work to strengthen my intuitive healing abilities and practice my own self-care. (I can only take care of you if I take care of me, right?)

Yoga, meditation, pilates, running, cycling, paddle boarding, painting, surfing, snowboarding, and plant care have been favored outlets for my energetic expression. I just welcomed my first baby in March of 2025 and spend a lot of my spare time with him, my partner, and our two miniature dachshunds either on long walks, hiking or on a board cruising around.

Courtney earned Holistic Health and Gut Wellness Certification with AFPA
Courtney Early is an ABMP member
Seal of the Board of Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) for advanced conitnuing education
Courtney Early is a Registered Yoga Teacher, completing over 200 hours