Eclecius Franklin turned his business, Gifted Hands Massage, into a place that provides both massage therapy and personal training, E Fitness and Massage. Photo by Trip Burns.

Having given about 13,000 massages over his 16-year career, Eclecius Franklin has earned his reputation as one of the best and most experienced massage therapists in the Jackson area.

A 1994 Mississippi State University graduate with a bachelor's degree in technology and engineering, Franklin found his talent for massage therapy after helping a co-worker with a stiff neck. His gift, and a desire to help others, prompted him to leave his engineering job and open his own business in 1997, naming it Gifted Hand's Massage.

Franklin renamed his business E Fitness and Massage and relocated to Ridgeland 14 years later, when he realized another passion: personal training. Franklin expanded his offerings to provide those services as well.

"I wanted to brand and market my business and name better. I offer more than just massage therapy," Franklin says. The "E" in E Fitness and Massage stands for his first name, Eclecius.

As a fitness guru, Franklin uses heart-rate monitors, as well as tracking endurance levels, to measure his clients' progress and health. His clients range from 9 to 93 years old, and Franklin says he can work with anyone to help improve their health.

One of his most successful clients is Mississippi native Nicole Marquez. While in New York City pursuing her dream of dancing, Marquez fell six stories and suffered injuries that had doctors saying she might never walk again. Marquez trained with Franklin for five years after the near-tragic accident, as he worked to get her back on track. Now, she is not only able to move without assistance, but she also works as a motivational speaker, giving talks at schools, organizations and churches all over the United States.

Franklin invites other personal trainers in the area to use his space to work with their own clientele. Among the massage therapy services he offers are Swedish massages, hot-rock therapy, chair massages and deep-tissue massages, which are his specialty. In addition, E Fitness and Massage offers mobile services where Franklin travels to businesses and offices giving massages on site. Other local massage therapists often accompany him to assist in events such as birthday parties, anniversaries and holidays.

Franklin stays busy, whether giving massages or training clients, but his dedication to expanding his business keeps him motivated. "I am booked 75 percent of the time, six days a week," he says.

For him, massage therapy and physical training go hand in hand. Because providing massage therapy is so taxing on his body, Franklin finds it is important to work out to maintain his strength and relax. His personal needs are a major reason for including personal training into his business: He can practice both of his passions on a daily basis.

Visit Eclecius Franklin at E Fitness and Massage (400 Highway 51 N., Suite C, Ridgeland, 601-790-7602). The facility is open Monday through Saturday. For more information, find the organization on Facebook or email [email protected].