A massage therapist who created a business to ease pain for suffering clients is the 2011 Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year.

Sherry Sledge owns BodyWorks Center for Perfect Health. Her selection for the annual award came during the Jan. 21 dinner at Eagle Mountain Golf Club.

“I was shocked,” Sledge said two days after receiving the award. “I never expected it. I thought someone else was going to win.”

The honor “gives me something good to talk about,” said Sledge. “I think people appreciate working with people who are involved in the community. I like what I do and I do what I like.”

Other nominees were Beverly Belury of John Hersey International; Rose Sampieri, Pal’s Inn Pet Resort; and Phil Rodakis, Phil’s Filling Station Grill.

Sledge turned a personal chronic health situation into a healing business after injuries in a boating and two automobile accidents.

Therapeutic massage treatments provided relief from her pain. Sledge walked away from a 24-year career in real estate to study holistic massage therapy.

Sledge graduated from California College of Physical Arts in Huntington Beach, Calif., and Tsuko Japanese School of Physical Arts in Seal Beach, Calif.

She trained in India to practice the Ayurveda system, the oldest written healthcare system in the world at over 5,000 years old, which is a whole rejuvenation/detoxification program with massage, steam, oil and herbs. She also has been a certified educator for Dr. Deepak Chopra since 1994.

She moved to Fountain Hills in 1998 from California. She previously lived in Florida. She served on the Chamber board of directors from 2006-09.

Sledge consistently donates gift certificates for Chamber raffles and charity fundraisers. She estimated that she has contributed “hundreds” of certificates for a free massage over the years.

By donating the certificates, Sledge said she often introduces Chamber members to the first-time benefits of a massage.

“They found out that a massage can help them with whatever their pain is,” said Sledge.

Along with relieving pain, Sledge said she educates her clients and teaches them to do things differently “and that makes me feel good.”

BodyWorks Center for Perfect Health is located at 16751 Parkview Ave., suite 1. Sledge has a staff of six, including her daughter Sharla Shore.

“I am humbled by the award. I’m certainly glad I live in Fountain Hills,” said Sledge.