The classes reminded Nikolov that as a child of seven or eight he had become sick, and was sent to his village's healing woman. She eased his discomfort through massage. Young Nikolov was impressed and tried to mimic the healing woman when his parents caught colds.
At the National Sports Academy, Nikolov decided to focus on massage. He gained experience working at various health outlets and spas in the U.S. before being chosen, in 2002, to be one of 256 internationally selected massage therapists for the winter sports massage team at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nikolov was again chosen to massage Olympic athletes and officials at the 2003 games in Athens, Greece.
"I got to experience being a part of the Olympics," he said. "The feeling in the air was electrifying."
Nikolov said that the most rewarding work that he did during those experiences was with the Paralympic athletes. These were athletes with physical disabilities, skiers who had suffered car accidents and lost a leg or eye sight, for example.
"It was very, very enlightening for me," Nikolov said of the Paralympic athletes who inspired him. He was asked to walk onto the field with the Paralympic athletes during the opening ceremonies in Salk Lake City, an honor he won't forget.
Today Nikolov has a massage studio at the James Blake Salon in Naples. He offers various therapies including Swedish massage, sports massage, deep tissue, myofascial release, reflexology and QiGong healing, among others.
"I have a lot of experience working very deep with athletes," he said, but stressed that he customizes massages for each client.
For that reason, he charges the same rate for each massage, as various therapies are likely to be employed. Nikolov has worked with doctors and chiropractors for pain management, and speaks six languages.
Currently the chairman for the Southwest chapter of the Florida State Massage Therapy Association, Nikolov puts together sports massage teams for events like half marathons and the upcoming World Swim Meet in Fort Myers. He cites his experience as an invaluable tool for his practice.
"I follow my hands," he said. "My goal is to help in the healing process. It makes me very happy to see the look in the person's eyes after they get relief of a certain pain. Then I really know massage therapy and helping people is my calling."
Nikolav's Teo-ssage Therapeutic Massage is located at 2430 Shadowlawn Drive in the James Blake Salon. For more information call 450-HEAL (4325).