Why Our Mission Matters to Me | A Message from Mikkel Dixon, President & CEO of NHI
Mikkel Dixon, President and CEO of National Holistic Institute and Bauman College
Content Summary
In this personal message, Mikkel Dixon, President & CEO of National Holistic Institute (NHI) and Bauman College, reflects on why the mission of Helping People Have Work They Love is personal to him. He shares how education transformed his own life, how hands-on bodywork training builds confidence, and why supporting students on their path to meaningful careers in massage therapy remains the heart of NHI.
Since 1979, NHI has helped thousands of graduates launch careers in massage therapy. As one of California’s first accredited massage therapy schools, we remain committed to providing high-quality education and helping students build careers they love.
- The Power of Education: How personal experience shapes Mikkel Dixon’s commitment to education.
- Building Purpose Through Touch: Why preparing students for careers in holistic health creates ripple effects in families and communities.
- The NHI Team’s Impact: Recognizing how faculty and staff bring the mission to life every day.
I believe education changes lives because it changed mine and my family’s lives.
Education provides more than knowledge or a credential. It can build confidence, open doors, strengthen families, and change the direction of someone’s life. When people discover meaningful work that reflects who they are—especially in a field like massage therapy—the impact often reaches far beyond their careers.
That is why our mission, Helping People Have Work They Love, means so much to me.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of students, graduates, educators, leaders, employees, and community members. Those experiences have reinforced my belief that massage therapy education is about far more than classrooms and technique. It’s about helping people discover what they’re capable of achieving when they put their heart and hands into their work.
Our students at NHI come from many different backgrounds. Some are preparing for their first careers. Others are starting over, pursuing a longtime passion for holistic health, or searching for work that brings greater purpose to their lives.
Whatever brings them to our campuses, we have the opportunity and responsibility to see their potential, support their journey, and help them believe in what is possible.
Our work at National Holistic Institute is deeply rooted in health, wellness, and service to others. We prepare people for meaningful careers that allow them to improve lives, relieve pain, support healthier communities, and make a real difference through skilled, compassionate touch.
The most meaningful moments happen when a student discovers confidence they didn’t know they had, overcomes an obstacle that once felt impossible, or steps into a clinic space realizing they can build a sustainable future doing something they genuinely love.
None of this would be possible without our faculty and staff. They bring our mission to life every day by teaching, encouraging, challenging, and believing in our students. Whether they work directly in the practical classroom, support clinical training, or work behind the scenes, every member of our team helps shape a student’s story.
As President and CEO, I believe our success should ultimately be measured by the difference we make in people’s lives. That is why I chose a career in education, why I am proud to lead National Holistic Institute and Bauman College, and why our mission will always be personal to me.
If you’ve ever felt called to help others, improve health and well-being, or build a purposeful career, I encourage you to learn more about NHI’s programs. Education changed my life, and I’ve seen it change the lives of thousands of students. Your journey could be next.
Learn more about Mikkel by reading his Staff Spotlight.
Get the details on how to pursue a career in massage therapy and neuromuscular therapy with National Holistic Institute. Complete this form to connect with an admissions representative today.