SLC: 1-800-407-3251

Orem: 1-800-864-0012

Ogden: 1-833-878-7749

Faculty & Administration
Ogden Branch Campus

Our faculty consists of contract working professionals unless otherwise stated.

McKaela Bigler, LMT, has been practicing massage therapy since completing UCMT’s program in 2018. She specializes in sports massage and injury rehabilitation. In 2023, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science, with a minor in Nutrition Education, from Weber State University. McKaela is currently pursuing certification as a strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA. She teaches Kinesiology, Pathology, and Sports Massage at our Ogden campus.

Meridith Bott, LMT, graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 1998 and began her career in corporate massage while collaborating with personal trainers at the Life Center in Sandy. She later served as a personal trainer at Lady Fitness, specializing in geriatric care and women’s health. Over the past decade, Meridith has transitioned to a home-based private practice, offering personalized treatments tailored to each client’s needs. Trained in a variety of massage modalities, she is dedicated and passionate about sharing her expertise in the field of Massage and Bodywork. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three adventurous sons. Meridith teaches Seated Chair Massage, Geriatric Health and Wellness, and Prenatal Massage at our Ogden Campus.

Jill Chambers, LMT, Reiki Master/Teacher, is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Reiki Master, having graduated from the Myotherapy College of Utah in 2018. With over six years of experience in the spa industry, she earned her Master Reiki certification in 2024. Jill serves as the Ogden Spa Manager and an instructor for Massage 1 and 2, Seated Chair Massage, and Hydrotherapy. In addition to her roles as Spa Manager and Teacher, she continues to provide exceptional therapeutic services as one of our dedicated spa therapists.

Justin Cottle, LMT, has been an LMT for over 10 years, and is a dedicated anatomy educator with over a decade experience in hands-on cadaveric instruction and lecturing in the classroom. He spent most of that time as the Lab Director at the Institute of Human Anatomy, where he learned the art of cadaveric dissection and jump-started his career. Justin currently teaches Anatomy & Physiology and Pathology at the Ogden 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.

Daniel Fisher, LMT,Reiki Master/Teacher, graduated from Healing Mountain in 2015. Daniel has been a Reiki Master/Teacher since 2000 and has completed continuing education in Craniosacral 1 through the Milne Institute, as well as CS1 & CS2 through Upledger. He currently teaches Craniosacral, Reiki, Massage 1 & 2, and the Communications class, and offers Reiki 1 & Reiki 2 Continuing Education courses. Daniel also oversees the student clinic and serves as the school’s Spa Director while sitting on the Orem campus’s Board of Directors.

Dani Hatch, BA, graduated from Weber State University with a degree in Film Studies and Business Administration. On movie sets and in office settings, she loves collaborative creative projects, especially ones that propel individuals’ careers. She enjoys all things storytelling from watching and discussing movies, to reading and writing, to themed game nights with family and friends. Dani is an admissions representative for the Ogden campus.

Jeremy Kellum, LMT, MBA, 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 on rehabilitating professional and semi-professional athletes and has been a massage instructor, beginning in the state of Mississippi, since 2006. Jeremy is Healing Mountain’s school director and Board Chair on the SLC Board of Directors.

Taylar Ngo, LMT, graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 2015 after being introduced to Structural Integration while working as a fitness trainer. Upon graduating, he became a Structural Integrator and has since continued to develop a structural approach to bodywork, focusing on posture, injuries, and athletics. He has also worked in the spa industry for over six years. A lifelong athlete and fitness trainer for over 12 years, Taylar remains fascinated by the human body and appreciates how his approaches to bodywork and fitness have influenced one another. Taylar currently serves as the Ogden Campus Director and Program Supervisor, teaching Massage 3, Myofascial Release, Licensing Exam Prep, Ethics & the Law, Universal Standard Precautions, and Business Basics.

Aaron Nikola, completed the Crystal Healing course at Healing Mountain Massage School in 2005. Since then, he has actively practiced Crystal Healing and Chakra Layouts. In 2006, he began incorporating his crystal healing expertise into the massage field by teaching and working with both clients and students. Aaron is also a silversmith who integrates healing crystals into his designs. In 2011, he became the manager of the Healing Mountain Crystal Shop. Aaron graduated from the school’s Massage Program in 2013 and became a faculty member at Healing Mountain Massage School in 2017. Furthermore, from 2018 - 2023, Aaron taught the Sound Healing course for Healing Mountain’s Holistic Health Practitioner program. He continues to practice Sound Healing privately, sharing his knowledge and passion for using sound as a healing modality.

Jesse Nikola, LMT, BFA, graduated from Healing Mountain in 2000 and furthered his education from Salt Lake Community College with an Associate of Visual Art and Design in Multimedia, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts 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 and chief executive officer.

RJ Nikola, LMT, JCD, BA, is the founder of Healing Mountain. He graduated from UCMT, has a JCD in education and a BA in education from BYU. He is the author of Japanese Full-Body Shiatsu and Creatures of Water. Randy served as a commissioner on the ABHES accrediting bureau from 2009-2017, served two terms on the Utah State Massage Board, and is currently a member of the Utah State Massage Therapy Education Peer Committee.

Abby Taylor, LMT, BS, CIMI, graduated from Rexburg College of Massage Therapy in 2021 and became a Certified Infant Massage Instructor in 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from BYU-Idaho in 2022. She has worked in the spa setting throughout massage career and is excited by her role as a teacher. She teaches Massage 1, 2, 3, Hydrotherapy, Geriatrics, Energetic Anatomy, and Kinesiology at the Ogden 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.

Page updated: 02/26/25