SLC: 1-800-407-3251

Orem: 1-800-864-0012

Ogden: 1-833-878-7749

Faculty & Administration
Salt Lake City Main Campus

Our faculty consists of contract working professionals unless otherwise stated.

Megan Allen, LMT, graduated with a Certificate of Massage Therapy from UCMT in 1993. Megan has been working in various areas in the field and instructing for over 25 years. She became a birth doula in 2014 and specializes in prenatal and infant massage. She currently teaches Massage 1, Hydrotherapy, Prenatal, Geriatric Health & Wellness, and Ethics of Touch at our SLC campus.

Sara Bateman, LMT, graduated with a Certificate of Massage Therapy from HMMS in 2015 and worked in the medical massage industry for several years before going back to school at Salt Lake Community College to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2020. Sara loves the ability to combine massage therapy modalities with physical therapy to better help her clients and patients. Sara utilizes a hands-on and kinesthetic approach to better help the student learn as well as keeping the learning fun and engaging. Sara teaches Kinesiology and Pathology at the 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, taking underwater photography, skiing, bicycling, hiking, and camping. John is the school accountant working out of the SLC campus.

Wendy Edwards, graduated with a Certificate of Massage Therapy from HMMS in 2007, and runs a private pratice in SLC. She has a passion for education and has been teaching in one form or another for the past 31 years. Wendy has done advanced training in Myoskeletal Alignment, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Structural Integration, Visceral Manipulation, and Cadaver Dissections. She teaches Massage Therapy III, Anatomy & Physiology, Kinesiology, Sports, and Intro to Lymphatic Drainage at the SLC Campus.

Avery Farmer, LMT, RYT, graduated with a Certificate of Massage Therapy from UCMT and continued her education in Reflexology, Ashiatsu, and yoga instruction. She has worked in the spa industry since graduating and has a passion for Shiatsu and Reflexology. Avery currently teaches Shiatsu, Reflexology, Anatomy & Physiology, Energetic Anatomy, Career Development, and Business Basics at the SLC campus.

Daniel Fisher, LMT, Reiki Master/Teacher, graduated from HMMS in 2015 with a Certificate of Massage Therapy. 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. He currently teaches Craniosacral and Massage 1 & 2.

Libby Hudspeth, LMT, graduated from UCMT in 2017 with a Certificate of Massage Therapy, 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 and Hydrotherapy at the Salt Lake City campus.

Sophie Lampman, AAS, LMT, LE graduated from the Cortiva Institute in Federal Way, WA, earning her Certificate in Massage Therapy in 2015. In 2016, she also completed a Certificate in Master Esthetics at Evergreen Beauty College in Renton, WA. In 2023, Sophie earned her Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration and is currently completing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Resources Management at NWFSC. Since becoming licensed, Sophie has worked in both spa and chiropractic settings, with a focus on injury recovery and relaxation. Outside of work, she enjoys staying active through dance and aerial arts, and spending time with her dog. She currently serves as the Program Supervisor in SLC.

Jeremy Kellum, LMT, MBA, graduated from Healing Touch School of Massage Therapy in 2003 with a Certificate of Massage Therapy. 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.

Marti McDaniel, Originally from Hungary, Marti graduated from high school there before moving to Utah to attend Utah Valley University. As the SLCs Admissions Representative, she is passionate about guiding prospective students through the admissions process and helping them take confident steps toward meaningful careers in massage therapy. She enjoys continuously learning and challenging herself to grow—both personally and professionally—in order to better the community and the people around her. Outside of work, Marti loves playing her guitar, traveling, and spending time with her children. She values connection, personal growth, and lifelong learning, principles that inspire her in all she does.

Nerissa McNeil, AAS, graduated from BYU–Idaho in 2022 with a degree in Marriage and Family Services. Passionate about helping others achieve their goals, she finds joy in seeing people flourish and pursue their dreams. As Admissions Director, she oversees admissions while continuing to serve as the Orem campus Admissions Representative and providing Career Services support. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and furthering her education in psychology.

Aaron Nikola completed the Crystal Healing course at HMMS 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 HMMS in 2000 with a Certificate of Massage Therapy, and furthered his education from SLCC 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 with a Certificate of Massage Therapy, 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.

Sean Porter, BS, graduated from massage school, an experience that became a turning point in his life and career. After seven years in professional practice, he earned his Bachelor of Science from University of Utah in 2022. Coming from a blue-collar background and having made a living with his hands for most of his life, Sean understands the grit and determination required to build a future from the ground up. He has developed a strong passion for environmental stewardship and social equity, which he integrates into his work in education. Sean serves as Campus Director for the Salt Lake campus and is committed to creating an environment where students feel capable, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.

Anna Roller, BFA graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelors in Art History and Political Science in 2022. Born and raised in Salt Lake City, she loves living near the Wasatch Mountains and visiting local parks and recreation areas. She has always had an appreciation for naturopathic and alternative medicines, and was happy to join the administration team at Healing Mountain in 2024 as School Registrar. When she is not working, Anna likes to spend her time at home with her cat, volunteering with various community organizations, or out with family and friends.

James Seay, James Seay, LMT, graduated from UCMT in 1997, with a Certificate of Massage Therapy. 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 had a role as Massage Lead at The Spa at Pebble Beach in which he trained the other therapists in a range of treatments for their guests. He maintains a private practice visiting his clients in their homes as well as seeing clients in his office, located in Millcreek. James currently teaches Massage 2 & 3, Sports 1 & 2 and Reflexology 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.

Page updated: 03/4/26