Big Tex Gym isn't just one of the best gyms in Austin for training — it's also home to some seriously talented wellness practitioners. One of them is Melissa Loya, owner of Moon Moth Body & Soul Care, operating right here inside the gym.

If you train hard, your body needs more than rest days. Melissa gets that better than most.

Who Is Melissa Loya?

Melissa has been a licensed massage therapist since 2012. Before working with humans, she trained as an equine massage therapist — meaning she learned how to read and work with bodies that can't tell you where it hurts. That background carries over. She has a sharp eye for tension patterns, compensation, and what the body is actually doing versus what it looks like it's doing.

She also has a personal history in both bodybuilding and powerlifting, which means she understands athletic bodies from the inside out. She knows what a deadlift does to your hips, what stage prep does to your nervous system, and how to help you recover from both.

Melissa books at least three weeks out. That's not hype — that's just what happens when someone is genuinely good at what they do. Plan ahead.

Services at Moon Moth Body & Soul Care in Austin

Therapeutic Massage

This is the foundation. Deep tissue, targeted work for athletes and active people. Whether you're recovering from a meet, prepping for one, or just carrying chronic tension from sitting at a desk all day — Melissa will find it and work it out.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage is one of the most underrated recovery tools out there, especially in the Austin fitness community. Here's why it matters:

• Reduces inflammation after intense training or surgery

• Speeds up healing by helping your body clear waste from tissues faster

• Reduces water retention — for competitors, this is significant. Lymphatic drainage in the final days before a show can help shed excess water naturally, without diuretics

• Boosts immune function by keeping your lymphatic system moving

• Relieves bloating and puffiness — not just cosmetically, but functionally

If you've never had lymphatic drainage work done, it feels gentle but the effects are noticeable within 24 hours. Athletes who add it to their regular recovery stack usually don't stop.

Reiki Energy Work

Melissa is a Level 2 certified Reiki practitioner in the Usui Reiki Ryoho tradition. Reiki is a healing modality that works with the body's energy field — "Rei" meaning universal, "ki" meaning vital life force.

A session with Melissa isn't woo. It's calm, grounded, and surprisingly effective for people dealing with stress, mental blocks, or recovery that isn't responding to physical work alone.

Benefits of Reiki include:

• Supports physical and mental healing simultaneously

• Calms the nervous system — useful for athletes who are always in a high-output state

• Can help break through mental blocks that affect training and performance

• Does not conflict with any other therapies or treatments

• Doesn't belong to any religion — it's a wellness practice, not a belief system

Your mental health needs recovery too. Reiki is one way to give it that.

Why Having Wellness Services Inside the Best Gym in Austin Matters

Recovery is training. Most people know this intellectually but don't act on it. Having Melissa inside Big Tex removes every excuse — you're already here, she's already here, and the work you do with her directly supports the work you do on the floor.

This is what Big Tex has always been about: building something more than a place to lift. It's a full training ecosystem, and Moon Moth is a meaningful part of that.

How to Book with Melissa

Melissa books a minimum of three weeks in advance. Don't wait until you're beat up and desperate — schedule ahead and make recovery a regular part of your program.

Moon Moth Body & Soul Care is located inside Big Tex Gym at 1921 Cedar Bend Dr A 130, Austin, TX 78758.

Website coming soon at moonmothbsc.com

FAQ

What should I expect from my first session with Melissa?

A consultation at the start so she can understand your goals, training history, and what you're dealing with physically. She'll tailor the session from there. Wear or bring comfortable clothing.

Is lymphatic drainage good for post-surgery recovery?

Yes. It's commonly recommended after procedures like liposuction, mastectomy, and joint surgery to reduce swelling and speed healing. Always check with your physician first, but most surgeons support it.

Do I need to believe in energy healing for Reiki to work?

No. Melissa's clients come from all backgrounds. Curiosity is enough.