Our Philosophy

Kalamazoo Athletic Wellness was born out of a desire to provide a multi-angle approach to holistic wellness for athletes without the "crunchy" texture. Our approach is rooted in science-minded techniques with proven results. All our therapists are highly trained and have a deep understanding of how the body works in relation to what you do.  So ask yourself, do you wanna just feel good, or do you wanna feel better?

Our Rocktastic Specialists!!!


Nickolas Garman, LMT, NSCA-CPT, Master CAP received his certification for massage therapy in March of 2006 from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts and was licensed in 2013.  He is a 2013 graduate of the coaching certification program at KVCC. He graduated with honors as a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society.  He has taken several continuing education hours in sports massage, orthopedic massage, Gait assessments, and injury prevention and treatment. He also has a Masters level certification from the MHSAA Coaches Advancement Program and is a certified personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  Nick is the head massage therapist for the WMU Broncos Football team, does on the field work with the West Michigan Mayhem, and was on crew for the 2011 Race Across America.  He also was an instructor in massage therapy, anatomy, and kinesiology for 6 years at KCHA.  Nick has a deeper tissue approach that uses movement and stretching combined with direct deep pressure to create lasting relief...after the session.
Nick specializes in football, baseball/softball and Cross Fit athletes.
Nick is the owner of Kalamazoo Athletic Wellness.

Paul Janson, MSAOM has owned and operated Kalamazoo Acupuncture since 2005. Over the years his work has gravitated toward unlocking longstanding patterns of embodied tension and stress, particularly in the neck, shoulders and jaw. Sports related issues involving tension and spasms in the calves and hamstrings, as well as lumbo-sacral pain and pseudo sciatica, have consistently shown improvement with regular treatment.  The process of recovering from injury and strategically reintroducing intense training is something that Paul is well versed in.
Paul offers free 15 minute consultations in person or over the phone to determine if acupuncture and shiatsu are right for you.
Mike Firlein, LMT received his certification for massage therapy in February 2014 from Everest Institute of Kalamazoo and was licensed in November 2014.  Mike specializes in structural integrity bodywork and sports massage.  Mike has a great knowledge and background in health care that he applies to his sessions.  His pressure is naturally moderate, working the outer layers of tissue, then combining that with dry techniques or structural integration to set the deeper layers.
Mike Specializes in golf, hockey, baseball and football.
Alicia Hileski, LMT received her certification in massage therapy from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts in 2009 and was licensed in 2015.  She has taken several hours of continued education in sports massage, reflexology, and geriatric massage.  She also has extensive experience in treating clients who have fibromyalgia.  Alicia played soccer for 7 years, has been in competitive shooters, and on a roller derby crew.  Alicia has a solid consistent full hand pressure that she combines with some pressure point work to get deeper releases with minimal discomfort.
Alicia specializes in working with soccer and hockey.
Sarah Therkildsen, LMT  received her certification in massage therapy from the Institute for Massage Education in July of 2012 and was licensed later that same year.  Sarah is also certified in pregnancy massage and has taken continued education in sports massage, as well as, how to calm an over active brain through the Institute of Brain Potential.  Sarah has experience with giving post event massages at various running events.  Sarah's massage uses a lovely blend of techniques including Swedish, MFR, cranial sacral, and stretching.  This makes for a fully effective session for whoever is lucky enough to get on her table.  Sarah loves to work with runners, soccer players and pregnant women.
Allyson Dreger, LMT, DPT got her certification in massage therapy from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts in June of 2013 where she was introduced to many different modalities and was licensed shortly after.  Allyson also graduated from Hope College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and a minor in Dance.  Allyson worked with us before she began physical therapy school in 2014 and now she is back in the southwest Michigan area after graduating with a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Central Michigan University in May 2017.  Allyson loves to learn and never plans to stop continuing her education.  Allyson has a solid pressure and smooth flow to her sessions.  She applies her deep understanding of body mechanics to every massage.  Allyson enjoys working with all walks of life, but especially likes working with dancers, gymnasts, and pregnant women.
Jana Boyer LMT is a graduate of the Olympia career training institute in 2003.  She spent many years honing her skills as a deep tissue therapist.  She has a personal understanding as a former high school athlete and current Cross Fit athlete the demand on the human body for active individuals.  Jana has also become certified in Ashiatsu Deep Feet therapy.  This allows her to get deep pressure without the ouchy sensation.  However, Jana's hands are also very skilled, her massage is a creative constant flow of pressure and movement using a smooth solid pressure.  Jana specializes with Football and Cross Fit athletes.
Jillian Strobel, LMT was certified to perform massage in December of 2007 by the Denver School of Massage Therapy.  She went on to take the MBLEX national certification test and was later licensed in Michigan.  Jillian worked for many years at a 5 star resort and was trained in 5 star rating customer service.  Jillian naturally has a deeper touch and can get at it with the best of them, but enjoys all types of massage.  She especially loves working with deep tissue, trigger point, cranial sacral, reflexology, and prenatal massage.
Dale Teague, LMT graduated in July of 2016 from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts, and was licensed later that year.  Dale has also done continued education in sports massage.  Dale's massages are very intuitive in nature.  He has a distinctively comforting presence and touch that will melt anyone into the table.  Dale enjoys working with runners and football.
Mike Limerick, LMT, AT graduated from Sarasota School of Massage Therapy in Florida June of 1998, where he obtained a Certification in Theory and Technique of Massage Therapy.  While practicing massage, he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training from the University of South Florida in 2003, where he had over 1500 contact hours working with a variety of athletes during his collegiate career, including crewing for Team FOI in Race Across America, assisting the Tampa Bay Storm for two years and Tampa Bay Lighting training camps.  Mike then became a massage instructor for the next two years with Remington College teaching orthopedic assessment, joint mobility and other clinical soft tissue techniques. He continued to strive to become a better clinician and signed with Florida Orthopedic Institute physical therapy department, where he utilized both his massage and Athletic Training skills for 6 years.  Mike has also been very active within the community, sharing his passion of athletics. He Helped Co-found the Seminole Heights Bicycle Club, Founded the Florida Keys Diving Resource, Kickballers United, and his most recent, The Three Rivers Santa’s Helpers Fun Run.  He is currently training for the Squamish 50 in 2018, a 50 mile ultra marathon in British Columbia.
Mike has a more no-nonsense clinical approach.  He incorporates various massage and joint mobility techniques to regain and improve function.
Mike specializes in running, cycling and CrossFit athletes.