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, "WHY JUST FEEL GOOD, WHEN I CAN BE BETTER?"

Our Rocktastic Specialists!!!

Nicholas 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, cupping, 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.

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. 
Alicia is an Assistant Manager working with our Hospice division.
Jillian Strobel, NLMT MBLEX received her training from the Denver School of Massage Therapy, where she learned a wide variety of massage techniques.  She graduated in December of 2007 and went on later to take and pass the National Certification exam MBLEX.  Jillian has taken continued education in Hot Stone and Prenatal massage.  During her time working for the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs she attained a 5 Star Service rating for quality and Professionalism.  Jillian is naturally deep tissue in approach but gravitates toward more blended sessions using Cranial Sacral, Reflexology, Trigger point, Swedish and Sports Massage.  This achieves more well balance results for her lucky clients.  She feels especially passionate working with clients with chronic back and neck pain.  Jillian Specializes in Football, Swimming, and Dance. 
Jillian is also an Assistant Manager working with workplace wellness, retail, and reception staff.
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, he is the lead coordinator of the Gazelle Summer Safari Run Camp.  Mike has a more no-nonsense clinical approach.  He incorporates various massage and joint mobility techniques to regain and improve function.  He will also not shy away from telling you like it is and getting to the facts about your health.  His slow paced massage style seems to really engage the Fascia and melt the tissues as he goes!
Mike specializes in running, cycling and CrossFit athletes.
Jessica Slager, LMT graduated from Everest Institute of Kalamazoo in June 2012 and then was licensed in July 2012.  She is a member of the national technical honors society.  Jessica has worked many years in hospice massage care and has continuing education in end of life education, is a certified dementia care specialist, and is a multi recipient of the hospice heart award.  Jessica also has continued education on effects of stress in the body, myofascial release, and how massage helps with emotional trauma.   Jessica enjoys working with special situations such as; people working thru trauma, physical limitations, special needs, and end of life.  She is very active in her life and even teaches cardio drumming.  Jessica communicates with her clients to let them know they are safe with her and welcomes open communication on how she can best help.  Jessica's massage style is invigorating yet deeply relaxing for the muscles.  She is great at focused care.  Jessica specializes with Martial Arts and Hockey, as well as, special needs and elderly care.
Adam Brown, LMT, NHE, MCT graduated from the Therapeutic Bodywork Practitioner program at the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education in Mount Pleasant, MI in October of 2017 and received his massage therapy license in November, 2017. Prior to his training in massage Adam was also trained as a Natural Health Educator at the Naturopathic Institute in 2014 where he was introduced to various bodywork modalities including massage, craniosacral therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy.  Adam is also Certified in Ashiatsu Massage.  Adam’s passion for anatomy and functional human movement led him to pursue training from MovNat (Natural Movement Fitness), and he became a MovNat Certified Trainer in September of 2015.   Adam’s massage style is, thus, often movement-oriented including range of motion techniques, stretching, active release, and neuromuscular therapies in addition to more standard Swedish massage and myofascial release. This combination of focused work and relaxation provides for immediate relief from pain and tension with deep, long lasting results. Adam specializes in Ashi massage and working with runners, cyclists, and CrossFit athletes.
Mike Firlein, LMT received his certification for massage therapy in February 2014 from Everest Institute of Kalamazoo and was licensed in November 2014.  Mike has taken continued education in sports massage and is currently working on his degree in Psychology from Capella University with a focus on Sports Psychology.  Mike has an extensive background in health care that he applies to his sessions and has a thirst for knowledge and growth in the field.  Mike has also been working with the WMU Football team since 2015.  His pressure is naturally moderate, working the outer layers of tissue, then combining that with focused pressure point techniques and sports massage to achieve a deeper level of treatment.
Mike is on a brief leave of absence as he starts a new teaching job at TSPA in Battle Creek!
Mike Specializes in golf, hockey, baseball and football.
Kate Duffy, LMT received her certification from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts in March of 2008 and was licensed in 2014.  She has furthered her education with a Cranial Sacral level 1 training at the Institute for Massage Education.  Kate has done work for our Event and Team Sports Massage as well as experience with Workplace Wellness Chair Massage.  While Kate specializes in Cranial Sacral work, her approach to her massage is to integrate whatever modalities the session dictates.  She listens to the clients body and applies the necessary approach, whether lighter touch cranial sacral work  or deep tissue massage.   No two massages are the same.  Kate specializes with Tennis and Gymnastics.
Michael Padden, LMT, PTA received his certification in Clinical Massage Therapy in 2004 from the Soma Institute of Clinical Massage Therapy in Chicago and was licensed in 2005.  He received his AAS in Physical Therapy Assistant from Lonestar College Montgomery in 2014.  He is currently studying Kinesiology and Exercise Science at WMU.  Michael worked in sports medicine rehabilitation with the Ironman Sports Medicine Institute for 2 years as a PTA.  He is well versed in getting injured athletes back to competition.  Michael uses trigger point and deep tissue techniques to release soft tissue restrictions.  He also incorporates stretching and other assisted movement techniques to facilitate improved range of motion.  Michael specializes with Triathletes.
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.
 Cajsa Loser, LMT, BS,  graduated from Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts in 2006, having been licensed in 2013.  She is also a Western Michigan University graduate in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree.  She is currently pursuing her registered nurse license.  Her massage practice focuses on fascial manipulation and a kinesthetic approach to massage therapy as well as therapeutic relaxation and deep tissue work.  Cajsa is passionate about each session focusing on the client's personal goals with massage therapy.  Cajsa specializes with dance and musicians.
Dorrean Nettles, LMT graduated from Irene's Myomassology Institute located in Southfield, MI in 2011.  Dorrean is a Detroit native and basketball fanatic with a passion for the Pistons.  He has spent many hours studying various massage techniques and and if he can't help you now, he will go to the books to find it!  His work is a combination of Swedish techniques with deep tissue, stretching and active movements.  Dorrean is an active communicator during the session and will entertain as well as heal.  Dorrean specializes in basketball and shoulder cuff injuries.
Jeff Merrill, LMT BS received his medical massage therapy certification in 2011 from Blue Heron Academy of Grand Rapids and then his manual massage certification in 2014. He is a Graduate from GVSU with a B.S. in Health Professions. He has two and half years of schooling in the Physical Therapy Assistant field. He was an Instructor and Clinical Director at Blue Heron Academy School for the Healing Arts in Grand Rapids for 2 years. He has worked on many different types of humans from desk jockeys to drivers.  Weekend athletes to collegiate athletes. Octogenarians to 6 month old children. He takes a very medical and anatomical approach to the body. This is not your typical massage and may feel more like manual therapy done by a PT.  He looks at what isn't moving or what is moving too much and tries to bring it back toward normalcy using various techniques including activation, stretching, and neuromuscular techniques.  Jeff specializes with wrestling, swimming, and golf.
Ronald Strozewski, LMT graduated from the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts in 2010 with his certification in massage.  He was later licensed in 2014.  Ronald worked with us at our Bronson Athletic Club Location in 2016 and has recently returned to our ranks!  Ronald has a fun personality and is easy to talk to, you will find his massage to be engaging and relaxing.  He uses a mixture of deep tissue, stretching, myfacial release, and movement therapies to induce deep relaxation of the tissues and mind.
Tamara Mitchell LMT, CMLDT graduated from Sanative Tranquility in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a certification in massage therapy in May of 2019 and was licensed shortly after.  While attending the program she took several specialized courses including cupping, hot stone, movement and stretching, and became certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage.  Tamara is also a former runner and CrossFit athlete, and is currently on the West Michigan Muscle Olympic weight lifting team.  Her work feels beyond her years and uses a moderate pressure deep tissue approach utilizing stretching and less pain intensive versions of trigger point to help the body as a whole.
Tamara specializes in runners, CrossFit and olympic weightlifting athletes.