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?"

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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, has done 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, low back pain treatment, 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 and West Michigan Cancer Center divisions.
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 Craniosacral, 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 and the sport massage center staff. 
Jillian will be leaving KAW at the end of May 2021 to pursue her next chapter in life working in the church!  We will miss you Jillian!
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 returned to our ranks in 2019 when they closed the massage department.  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, myofascial release, and movement therapies to induce deep relaxation of the tissues and mind.
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.
Jessica will be leaving KAW at the end of May 2021 to open her own business!  Best of luck Jessica!!
Jill Winfield LMT BS finished her massage certification at the Institute for Massage Education in July of 2019 and was Licensed in the State of Michigan in November of that year.  She has also taken continued education in Myofascial release and low back pain treatment.  She also graduated as a member of the Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity with a Bachelors degree from WMU.   Jill was in the undergraduate Athletic Training program working primarily with the Men's Football and Basketball teams at K College and WMU.  Jill loves martial arts and is a black belt in Karate from Zen Bei Butoku Kai International.   Jill is also ranked in Tai Chi and trains Brazilian Jiujitsu at Kalamazoo BJJ. Jill was also a Swimmer for many years in high school and college as well as color-guard captain in High School.  On a more nerdy note she also played Quidditch on the Loyola Lumos travel team.  Jill uses a light touch approach to connect with the body and often focuses on Myofascial and Craniosacral techniques.  This makes for a deeply relaxing session with surprisingly effective results!
Jill specializes with martial arts/combat sports, swimming and color/winter guard.
Adam Brown, LMT, NHE 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 trained 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.
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 Michigan Elite Strength 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.
Kelly Jones, LMT  MOTR graduated from Institute of Massage Education (KCHA) in 2019 and was licensed in the same year as an LMT. Kelly also has a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University and has been a licensed OT since 2005. She has worked with wide range of patients (including rehab) and currently works both as a massage therapist and an OT.  “I typically utilize a moderate amount of pressure, and focus on decreasing inflammation and improving range of motion while addressing issues which effect posture and movement patterns. I enjoy using a variety of techniques during bodywork sessions such as neuromuscular, myofascial, and craniosacral, in addition to using deep tissue techniques.”
Kelly specializes in rehab of traumatic brain and spinal injuries.
Bailey Potter LMT graduated in February of 2020 with her certification in massage therapy from IME in Kalamazoo.  She passed the MBLEX in June of that year and was licensed by September.  Bailey started working for us at our front desk and is now providing massage in our Sports Massage Center and for the West Michigan Cancer Center.  In high school Bailey played basketball, volleyball and softball.  She currently loves to practice Yoga regularly.  Bailey's massages naturally have a full hand moderate pressure with a smooth flow, but can provide deep tissue per request.  She often incorporates pin and stretch, MFR and reflexology into her sessions as well.
Bailey specializes with volleyball, softball, and basketball athletes.
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, craniosacral, 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.

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