Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1338685
70 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k m a rc h /a p r i l 2 0 2 1 sleeping on the job," and he realizes now that—even at age 5—his "work ethics were already astute." To remedy his unpleasant situation, Bonner decided he needed to make a plan to escape while his new sitter was sleeping. "Every step was in my head," he says. "I had a plan, and it was going to work. I just knew it." When escape day came, Bonner was a little nervous as he unlocked and stepped out the door to begin his journey. Starting from one end of the south side of town to the other, Bonner made his way to Ms. Rosie's house—over a half hour away. "Looking back, this was [another] pivotal moment in my life," he says. "I realize this small-town African American boy can put his mind to anything that may seem impossible, and no matter how far off it seems, I can make it happen. The spirit God put in this little body was a force to be reckoned with, I'd say. I felt like my favorite superhero, Batman, who always had a dedication to a purpose and went directly to the heart of the matter. "I truly believe God knew I was predestined to help others in life. It was a miracle we missed that train. Many miracles happened in [my] life, as if I was being watched over all the time—even the years I spent in the Baptist church as the minister of music directing the choir. I realize now [that] everything that happened was preparing me for life and all the obstacles, trials, and accomplishments I would face. That purpose and plan is still being unraveled." INDOMITABLE SPIRIT As an African American male forging his path in a predominantly female- oriented occupation, Bonner was forced to adopt a tenacious, indomitable spirit in order to succeed. Not only did it take him three separate tries to even get to massage school, Bonner failed his first