Double Duty: How I Turned Universal Life Insurance Into a Wealth-Building Tool—and a New Career
As a massage therapist, I’ve always been passionate about helping people—relieving stress, easing pain, and encouraging balance. But a few years ago, I realized I wasn’t giving the same kind of care to my own financial well-being. I had a steady stream of clients, a modest savings account, and a basic term life insurance policy. Still, I felt like I was just coasting—not building anything lasting.
Then one day, during a session with a relatively new client, everything changed.
July 2, 2025
By: Ruby Sanoy
As a massage therapist, I’ve always been passionate about helping people—relieving stress, easing pain, and encouraging balance. But a year ago, I realized I wasn’t giving the same kind of care to my own financial well-being. I had a steady stream of clients, a modest savings account, and a basic term life insurance policy. Still, I felt like I was just coasting—not building anything lasting.
Then one day, during a session with a relatively new client, everything changed.
A Short-Term Client, A Long-Term Impact
Her name was Joan. She had only been coming to me for a few months, but we had already built a great rapport. During one of our sessions, we started chatting about life outside of work. I mentioned how unpredictable self-employment can be, and how I worried about retirement and protecting my family. That’s when Joan told me she was a financial advisor.
I laughed and said, “I probably need a financial massage more than a physical one.”
Joan smiled and said, “You take care of people every day. Let me help you take care of yourself.”
A few days later, she invited me to a financial literacy event she was attending. I was hesitant at first—I didn’t think it was “for someone like me.” But I went, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Financial Literacy Campaign Event at APEX Calgary Financial Center - (left to right) Laarni Bautista, Abby Molina, Fe Fernandez, Joan Diaz, Ruby Sanoy
Understanding How Universal Life Insurance Works
At the event, Joan and her team broke down financial concepts in a way that actually made sense. One of the most eye-opening parts was learning how Universal Life Insurance (UL) works.
Here’s what I learned:
UL is a type of permanent life insurance, meaning it covers you for your entire life—not just a set term.
It includes a death benefit (the amount your beneficiaries receive when you pass away) and a cash value component that grows over time.
The cash value earns interest, and depending on the type of UL, it can be tied to a fixed rate, a market index (like the S&P 500), or even invested in sub-accounts (like mutual funds).
You can borrow against the cash value tax-free, or even withdraw from it.
The growth is tax-deferred, meaning you don’t pay taxes on the gains as long as they stay in the policy.
You can also use the cash value to cover your premiums later in life, giving you more flexibility.
Joan helped me choose an Universal Life (UL) policy, which ties the cash value growth to a market but includes proper balance of portfolios to mitigate the fluctuation of the market.
From Client to Advisor
That experience lit a fire in me. I realized that financial wellness is just as important as physical wellness—and that too many people, especially self-employed professionals like me, don’t have access to the right tools or guidance.
So I made a bold decision: I became a licensed financial advisor.
It wasn’t easy balancing my massage practice with studying and training, but it was worth it. Now, I’ve added a new dimension to my mission: helping families and individuals achieve their financial goals, just like Joan helped me.
Final Thoughts
Meeting Joan—even for just a few months—changed my life. She helped me see that financial wellness isn’t just about saving—it’s about strategic planning. And now, I get to pay that forward.
If you’re a fellow massage therapist—or anyone self-employed—wondering how to build something lasting, I can’t recommend this enough. It’s not just about what happens when you’re gone. It’s about creating freedom and flexibility while you’re still here, doing what you love—and maybe even helping others do the same.
Interested in learning more about how Universal Life Insurance could fit into your financial plan?
I’d love to chat and help you explore your options from multiple insurance providers. Feel free to reach out—your journey to financial wellness might start with just one conversation.
Ruby Sanoy
Email: rubysanoy@yahoo.com
Phone: (403) 397-0889
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