SLC: 1-800-407-3251

Orem: 1-800-864-0012

Faculty & Administration
Salt Lake City Main Campus

Our faculty consists of contract working professionals unless otherwise stated.

Megan Allen, LMT, graduated from UCMT in 1993. Megan has been working in various areas in the field and instructing for 25 years. She became a birth doula in 2014 and specializes in Prenatal and Infant Massage. She currently teaches Massage 1, Hydrotherapy, and Prenatal at our SLC campus as well as the Ethics of Touch online course.

Sara Bateman, graduated from Healing Mountain in January 2015, and was immediately hired at a wellness clinic. While working as a chiropractic aid and Massage Therapist, she was allowed to view the medical side of massage therapy and incorporate massage with other therapies. Sara is studying to become a Physical Therapist Assistant at Salt Lake Community College and plans to utilize massage alongside physical therapy. Sara currently teaches Kinesiology at our SLC campus.

Melissa Beifuss, AS, LMT, graduated from Healing Mountain Massage School. She completed a 500-hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training and a Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga & Water Safety training. She graduated from Salt Lake Community College with an Associates in the Science of Psychology with honors. She teaches Anatomy, Medical Terminology, and Pathology at the Salt Lake Campus.

Ki Carter, has been studying the science and magic of plants for about five years. Participating in self study, taking Ayurvedic classes, working at local apothecaries, and studying with experienced herbalists has created the foundational knowledge and experience for her practice in herbalism. Since then, she has taught the basic foundations of herbalism to children, teenagers, and adults for the past several years. Ki is experienced in teaching foraging classes about local plant life and specialty preparations with medicinal herbs. She teaches the Beginning Herbalism course at our SLC campus.

Hillarie Chrstley, MS, is an occupational therapist and has been working since 2008. She became a certified lymph therapist in 2019 and works in her private practice with clients who want manual lymphatic drainage. She teaches Intro to Lymphatic Drainage at our SLC campus.

Jessica Derrick, LMT, CPT, CES, graduated from the Myotherapy College of Utah in 2007. She is also a certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist, specializing in sports massage, performance, and recovery. She teaches sports massage and kinesiology at our SLC campus.

John Edwards, BS, graduated from Utah Valley University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He worked as a cost accountant, an accountant, and for the past several years as a charter school “Business Manager”. In John’s free time he enjoys being in nature with his family scuba diving, underwater photography, skiing, bicycling, hiking, and camping. John is the School Accountant working out of the SLC campus.

Wendy Edwards, LMT, graduated from Healing Mountain Massage School in 2007, and has been an instructor at the school for the last 7 years. She has a passion for education and has been teaching in one form or another for the past 25 years. Wendy has done advanced training in Myoskeletal Alignment, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Hydrotherapy, Structural Integration, Visceral Manipulation, and Reiki. She teaches Massage Therapy III, Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, and Intro to Lymphatic Drainage at the SLC Campus.

Avery Farmer, LMT, RYT, graduated from UCMT and continued her education in studies of Reflexology, Ashiatsu and yoga teaching. She has worked in the spa industry since graduation and has a passion for Shiatsu and Reflexology which she currently teaches at the SLC campus as well as Anatomy & Physiology and Pathology.

Daniel Fisher, LMT, Reiki Master/Teacher, graduated from Healing Mountain in 2015. Daniel has been a Reiki Master/Teacher since 2000 and completed Craniosacral 1 Certification with the Milne Institute in 2018. He currently teaches Craniosacral, Reiki, Crystal Healing, and Massage 1 & 2, as well as Reiki 2 for the Holistic Health Practitioner Program at the SLC campus. He is also the school’s Spa Director and sits on the Orem campus’s Board of Directors.

Dea Giokas, BS, LMT, graduated from the Massage Therapy program at Idaho State University. She worked and travelled with the football team at ISU before moving to Utah, where she continued to specialize in sports, deep tissue, and rehabilitative bodywork. She is passionate about student success and support, fully embracing her role in each student’s journey. In addition to being the Program Supervisor at our Salt Lake City campus, Dea teaches Licensing Exam Prep and Ethics and the Law.

Maxine Haynes, LMT, graduated from Healing Mountain in 2019. Her passion for the effects massage has on the physical, spiritual, and emotional self has brought her to work in both clinical and spa environments since graduation. She is currently working on her Yoga Teacher Training Certificate and a variety of other holistic & massage CEU’s. Maxine is our DE Specialist & Registrar at our SLC campus. She also teaches Aromatherapy and Holistic Aromatherapy in the HHP Program at the Salt Lake City campus.

Libby Hudspeth, LMT, graduated from UCMT in 2017, and received her Pre- and Postnatal Massage Training from Rebecca Overson’s program in 2019. She has seen a variety of clients for the past three years. She is currently working towards becoming a certified birth doula. Libby teaches Prenatal Massage at the Salt Lake City campus.

Jodie K. Johnson, LMT, SLC Admissions Representative graduated from UCMT in 2000. Jodie has worked over 23 years in the spa industry both in Utah and Colorado. She specializes in Swedish Massage. Next to her family, her passion for the healing arts of Massage has brought incredible joy and fulfillment into her life. She loves sharing this passion with students at Healing Mountain. She teaches Massage 2, Reflexology, and Licensing Exam Prep at the SLC campus.

Jeremy Kellum, MBA, LMT, graduated from Healing Touch School of Massage Therapy in 2003. He got his Bachelor of Science with an emphasis in Athletic Training from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2012 and his Masters of Business Administration from Western Governors University in 2022. He specializes in connective tissue and injury-related massage. He has worked in the rehabilitation of professional and semi-professional athletes and has been a massage instructor, beginning in the state of Mississippi, since 2006. Jeremy is the SLC Campus Director and serves on both the SLC’s and Orem’s Board of Directors.

Jenelle Klingler, LMT, graduated from UCMT in 1996. She is trained in acupuncture, prenatal massage, sports massage, trigger point, and hot stone. She loves incorporating cupping in her private practice. When she gets the chance, she enjoys hiking, skiing, weight lifting, and relaxing at the beach. Jenelle teaches Sports 1 and 2 at our Salt Lake City campus.

Quorra McCann, has been a Certified Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master/Teacher since 2018. She also provides private classes, spiritual coaching, and healing sessions as an independent practitioner. She teaches Reiki levels 1 & 2 at the Salt Lake City campus.

James Miller, MS, RDN, CGP graduated from the University of Utah with a master’s degree in Nutrition and Integrative Physiology with an emphasis in nutrition education and research in 2020. James is a Certified GAPS Practitioner and maintains a private consultation practice, called Restorative Nutrition LLC, where he employs a specialized diet to heal and seal the gut to treat a wide variety of health conditions. James teaches the Holistic Nutrition course as part of the Holistic Health Practitioner Program at the SLC campus.

Tarah Nelson, LMT graduated from Santa Fe School of Massage in New Mexico. Specializing in NeuroMuscular Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and Modern Cupping. She is also the Spa Assistant Manager for the SLC campus and enjoys working with students through the clinic process of their massage training program on their journey to become Licensed Massage Therapist.

Aaron Nikola finished our Crystal Healing course in 2005 and since then has been immersed in the practice of Crystal Healing and Chakra Layouts. Since 2006, Aaron has been applying his expertise in the crystal field by teaching and working directly with clients, students, and healers alike. In 2011, Aaron became the Healing Mountain Crystal Shop Manager. Aaron teaches Crystal Healing at our SLC campus as well as Sound Healing in our Holistic Health Practitioner program.

Jesse Nikola, BFA, LMT, graduated from Healing Mountain in 2000 and furthered his education from Salt Lake Community College with an Associate in Visual Art and Design, and a BFA from UVU in Graphic Communication. He worked as the SLC campus Spa Director for eight years and SLC Campus Director for seven years. He currently is the school’s President, COO, and serves on the Orem’s Board of Directors and on the SLC Board of Directors as chair member.

RJ Nikola, JCD, BA, LMT, is the founder and CEO of Healing Mountain. He graduated from UCMT, has a JCD in Education and a BA from BYU. He is the author of Japanese Full-Body Shiatsu, and Creatures of Water. Randy served as a commissioner for the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools – ABHES from 2009-2017, and is currently a member of the Utah State Massage Board.

James Seay, LMT, graduated from UCMT in 1997. He has helped open top spas such as; Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, The Spa at Pebble Beach, and The Waldorf Astoria Spa - Park City. James has become versed in many modalities, including Thai, Sports, Reflexology, Lymphatic, Craniosacral Therapy, and LaStone Therapy. He maintains a private practice as part of the Dynamic Wellness group in Millcreek. James teaches Massage II, Reflexology, and Ayurveda at the SLC campus.

Whitney Stevens, RD, CD, has worked as a dietitian since 2018. She started her career working in-patient with cardiac patients. She then started working in weight loss and currently works with bariatric surgery and medical weight loss patients at the University of Utah hospital. She also owns her own business giving clients nutritional advice. Whitney teaches Holistic Nutrition at our SLC campus.

Desttany Suaava, BS, graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Political Science. She is enthusiastic to support students in their academic journey, and is excited to see their progression in Healing Mountain, and beyond. When she isn’t working, she enjoys reading and playing volleyball with friends and family. Desttany is the School Registrar and Distance Education Specialist for both campuses.

Michael Sudbury, LMT, graduated from HMMS and has studied extensively with John Barnes, PT, LMT, creator of the Myofascial Release Approach®. He runs a thriving, specialized MFR practice helping frustrated people recover from chronic pain. Michael teaches the Myofascial Release course in our Holistic Health Practitioner program at the SLC campus.

Rae Woodward LMT, graduated from UCMT in 2011 and has worked in various settings, from chiropractor’s offices to ski resorts. She is deeply passionate about massage and loves energy work. She teaches Craniosacral and Aromatherapy at the SLC campus.

Melissa Welter, BSBM, MBA, graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2011. Melissa has previously worked for Utah College of Massage Therapy as a Regional Financial Aid Director and has been in the financial aid field for almost two decades. Melissa is our school Financial Aid Administrator.

Rashelle Youngdell, LMT, graduated from Healing Mountain Massage School in 2015. Rashelle has 10 years prior experience in sales, marketing, training, billing, and bookkeeping. Rashelle is dedicated to spreading the knowledge of not only the physical, but also the emotional and intangible (or spiritual/energetic), aspects of a healthy and vivacious lifestyle through massage. Rashelle teaches Business Basics, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Thai Yoga Massage, and Hydrotherapy at the SLC campus, as well as Energetic Anatomy online.

Page updated: 11/22/23