I am a licensed massage therapist. My company is called Customized Deep Tissue & Therapeutic Massage by Katie Reed. I work with people with specific aches and pains that they want taken care of or helped, as well as people who just want to relax. I've been doing it for 16 years, and I rent an office from Karin LaBanca, who owns fisio Physical Therapy, at 141 Mt Pleasant Road. I went to the Connecticut Center For Massage Therapy in Westport and did a year-and-a half course there. The amount of work we had to do and the sciences we had to study - it was a very good school. I found the body so fascinating.Occupation:

Family: I was born in Elizabeth, N.J., and my family lived in the States until I was 5, when my mother and father were getting divorced. We moved with our nanny to France and lived there for a couple years. My younger brother and I could speak fluent French for those years. Then we moved to England, and I lived there till I was 22. I've been back in the States ever since, living in Redding and Newtown with my mom. I live in Danbury now. My mom, Sally Reed, is 91 years old and still lives in Newtown. She just got back from a trip to Europe and South Africa. She likes to be active, she goes to the gym. We're very good friends, I've always been close with her. She has a trusty, miniature wirehaired dachshund named LuLu. My brother and my 13-year-old niece both live in Texas. My husband, Gary Stranko, and I have been married since last June. We love to be outside and exercise, we even do cardio kickboxing in Danbury three or four times a week.

Pets: My cat, Ollie, is 7 years old. We've had him for three years, and he's very vocal. I got him from a friend of one of my clients who has since become a friend of mine, too.

For about five or six years.How long have you worked in Newtown?

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to keep up with my life. I have so many things that I like to do and so many things that I like to try, but time only allows so much. As a hobby, I try to live my life to the best and the fullest. Also, I have my pilot's license, which I haven't taken advantage of in a long time.

Do you have a favorite book or author? The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield. It was one of the first philosophical books I ever read.I love

What is your favorite travel destination? I want to go to Fiji to one of those resorts where you have to walk to your suite over the water.

What is the best part about Newtown? The neighborliness of it. There's a camaraderie to Newtown. I feel comfortable here.

My mother is a huge influence. She has always been a very generous, upfront, happy person. People love hanging with her; she throws a great party. She afforded me many things that I maybe wouldn't have had the opportunity of doing had I not been born to her. Also, looking back through my life, I had some great teachers. Karin LaBanca is another influence of mine, too. She is such a hard worker; she's an entrepreneur.Who has been the greatest influence in your life?

My husband. We can do anything and nothing and just be okay.If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why?

Who is your favorite musical artist? I'm very diverse, I like all different kinds of music. I love to dance, so I like music that is funky - Motown, hip-hop. My favorite song to dance to is "Mustang Sally."

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? You get back what you give out.