Meet Sophia Murphy | Owner & Operator of Imperium Stretch & Recovery

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophia Murphy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was a ballet dancer who suffered from chronic pain. When I experienced fascial work, my pain disappeared. As much as I truly never saw myself as a business owner, I needed to share the gift of Fascial Stretch Therapy with my community because it completely changed my life. It was a no brainer to start Imperium. I was told I would need a hip replacement before I was 30. Now I am pain free and never underwent surgery to get to where I am today. I have worked with countless individuals since starting my business, and the results are the same for them. I simply needed to spread the word and gift of hope for those who suffer from chronic pain.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At Imperium Stretch & Recovery, we are known for Fascial Stretch Therapy, which is a pain free, table based, guided stretch technique that targets the body’s neuromyofascia (fascia). The fascia is the body’s connective tissue, and the largest sensory organ in the body. It is also one of the most neglected systems in the body, even though it is the system that connects all systems to each other. At Imperium, we take a whole body approach while placing the fascia front and center. Our goal is to bring your body back into balance while honoring where you are at in mind, body, and spirit.

Imperium started as a one man mobile business. I would drive around Nashville in my hatchback with my massage table in the back seat, and stretch my community! Even though Imperium experienced a pandemic in the first year of business, I was needing an office space by my first business anniversary. We are located in Green Hills, and take clients Monday through Friday. I have since hired two extra practitioners to help me take on the volume of clients needing assistance.

Easy is the farthest thing from business owning, but it is rewarding and worth every minute!

There are far too many lessons to list, but I can tell you there is something new I learn every single day, whether that is from a client, through running a business, studying, through my employees, or just driving down the road. I hope to constantly keep learning. Learning is part of the excitement of what I do. It makes me a better practitioner, business owner, wife, mother, and friend.

I want everyone reading to know that there is hope for your pain. I suffered from chronic pain, numbing, tingling, and was told I would need a hip replacement before I was 30. I can tell you now that I am pain free, and did not need surgery to get here. There Is hope for you. There is space for you to take up here. We will meet you where you are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would spend a day in downtown Franklin for all things low key and cozy. We would start the day at the Franklin Farmers Market and get coffee at Honest Coffee, and breakfast from one of the vendors. Meander over to Main Street and window shop and get pizza at Culacinnos. We would spend a day enjoying Arrington vineyards, another day hiking through Percy Warner Park, and other days exploring 12 South, The Gulch, and tour The Country Music Hall of Fame.
I would make sure we eat at all our favorites which include:

Virago
The Optimist
60 Vines
Tansuo
Luogo
Adeles
Hawkers Asian Street Food
Sunflower Bakehouse

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom is truly the reason why I pursued my career in fascia, physical fitness, and wholistic wellbeing. My husband, Mitch, has been my biggest fan through this business endeavor. even when I’ve come up with new ideas that sound ridiculous, he is there cheering me on. Lastly, The gym I got my start in, ProSwim Fitness and the Finch family. They introduced me to Fascial Stretch Therapy and I would not have known about it otherwise. For that, I am so grateful.

Website: imperiumstretch.com

Instagram: @imperiumstretch

Image Credits
Sarah Elizabeth K Photography