Our Staff
Olivia Kelly, NCTMB, LMT
Olivia Kelly, NCTMB, LMT, is a 2004 Graduate of the Healing Arts Center in St. Louis, MO. Olivia developed her technique in Swedish massage including deep touch therapy and related modalities.
Olivia specializes in deep tissue massage that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. Olivia incorporates all of these modalities during a massage session to fit the needs of each individual.
Theresa Franklin, NCTMB, LMT, RYT, CMT
Theresa Franklin, NCTMB, LMT, RYT, became interested in massage therapy while living in California in the 1980's. She graduated in 2003 from the Body Therapy Center, Swansea, Illinois, where she received training in a number of healing modalities including Swedish, Myofacial, Trigger Point, Lymph Drainage and Reflexology.
Theresa's clients consist of men, women and children of all ages; however, she has a special interest in women's health issues. This has prompted her to further train in massage for cancer, hospice, HIV/AIDS, mastectomy and breast surgery, and has completed the third level of Lymph Drainage with the Chikly Health Institute.
Theresa has been a yoga practitioner for many years and is a certified Yoga Alliance Teacher. She teaches Hatha/Vinyasa style classes at the wellness center and keeps her students connected to yoga by integrating all levels of yoga. Theresa believes that each student can benefit from every style and level of classes offered knowing that self-care, whether through yoga or massage, is key to maintaining both mental and physical health.
Katie Roach, Licensed Massage Therapist
Katie Roach, Licensed Massage Therapist, graduated from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Boulder, Co in 2009. Having graduated from a program of over 1,000 hours, Katie studied various modalities including both western and eastern approaches to bodywork. In addition to Swedish and Deep Tissue, she practices Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy and Thai Massage, which she studies in Evanston, Illinois. Her approach to bodywork blends intuition, curiosity, patience and a profound appreciation of the body's wisdom to heal itself with a little encouragement.
Master Jerry Whitten
Master Jerry Whitten began his martial arts training in 1960, at the age of 13, in Judo. He later studied Sil Lum Kung Fu and while he was in the U.S. Air Force Master Whitten studied Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do. In 1967 he was stationed at Osan A.F.B., Korea and continued studying martial arts; while in Korea, Master Whitten made his 1st degree black belt in Tang Soo Do Karate while training with Jae Chul Shin (Chuck Norris's first instructor). He continues to practice Tang Soo Do to this day and is now a 6th degree black belt. During the 1980's Master Whitten became interested in T'ai Chi, learning the Yang 24. In 1998, he began studying Chen style with Master Yang Yang. He has attended workshops with Grandmasters Chen Xiaowang, Chen Xiaoxing, Chen Zhenglei, and many more. Over the last 50 years, Master Whitten has also studied Okinawan weapons, Hapkido Kenjitsu, and Tai Chi Chuan while also teaching Special Education for 30 years within the Alton area with a Masters degree in Education.
Pat Spencer
Pat Spencer, informally known as Sunny, started working with the team at Be Well Now in April 2011 as a massage therapist. Sunny trained through Lewis and Clark College Massage Therapy program and graduated with honors in July 2008. Her training includes body massage techniques such as trigger point therapy, essential oils and aroma therapy, fascia release, active and inactive stretching, hot and cold stone therapy, anatomy and physiology, human biology, pathology (skin and body diseases), also business management and marketing.
In 2006 Sunny graduated from The Aesthetic Institute of St. Louis Missouri. While there she was trained in skin care and treatments of the face and body. This training included facials and peels, addressing problem skin conditions, Shiatsu eye treatments, make up application, reflexology, face and body hair waxing, paraffin wax treatments, body wraps, body polishes, and Swedish massage. Sunny is licensed in both Missouri and Illinois.
Her mission is to do what she can to make clients feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually. She believes in massage and its benefits for all parts of the body. Sunny is moved by the power of prayer and the Word of God, as they together can help where there is no help available in the natural; those who do desire prayer, for any need, may request it and she will be happy to do so.
Kristi Watson, Licensed Esthetician
Kristi Watson, licensed Esthetician, is a 2009 graduate of Skin Institute in St. Louis, MO.
After becoming a licensed Esthetician, she proactively continues her education through the International Dermal Institute in Chicago, IL. Engaging in this continuing education, allows her to stay abreast of the latest technology and innovations in skin care and waxing. Kristi specializes in fully customized, result driven, relaxing facials using the industry’s leading skin care line, Dermalogica. She has, also, received recognition for her waxing techniques. Her goal is to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible while they are here and have them leave with smooth, soothed, glowing skin.
Samantha Burton
Samantha Burton joined the staff at Be Well Now in February 2012. Samantha has received training under Jaime Sanchez of West-East Natural Healing at Urban Breath in STL. She completed her 200-hour certification in March and will continue on for her 500 hour certification with world recognized Yoga Alliance teacher training courses, beginning in June with a Yin Yoga certification. Although trained in several styles, she chooses to teach a gentle yet invigorating Vinyasa Flow style where the class moves through poses fluidly and stretching and relaxation are fully achieved. Her classes can be modified to fit individuals' personal needs to make it as challenging or simple as they like.
Samantha also likes to incorporate some of the philosophical teachings of the ancient art of yoga so the student gets some background knowledge of something that is not just merely an exercise but a harmonious way of living. A healthy body is a happy mind; a happy mind is a peaceful soul.
When Samantha is not teaching yoga at several area locations, she enjoys spending time with her family and raising her two children, Jacob and Royce. Movies, museums, cooking, and anything outdoors are some of her hobbies outside of yoga, which recently has became her full-time career and passion.
Susan Shobe
Susan Shobe is a Registered Dietitian, Registered Yoga Teacher and will be a Registered Nurse in December. Wellness is her passion. She began practicing yoga in 2005 after having been physically active for many years. Susan completed her teacher's training at Yoga Source in St. Louis in 2007. She found yoga to be more invigorating, strengthening, and centering than any physical activity she had ever practiced. More than the physical practice however, she believes in practicing the eight limbs of yoga. In addition to Yoga, Susan is an avid runner and cyclist and enjoys teaching and taking Yoga from other teachers.
Christina Keene
Christina Keene is a 2nd level certified yoga instructor and has been teaching for 12 years. Yoga has been at the top of her list for stress reduction and is her focus for her class instructions. Along with stress reduction Christina will also help you build muscle strength and feel happier. Her background consisted of being a fitness director for a reputable gym where she taught aerobics in water, arthritis classes, on land aerobics, Pilates, and while employed with the gym Christina retained her personal training certifications. After 12 years of being with the gym Christina decided to make Yoga her life and uses yoga along with guided imagery for stress. She believes that “there is no judgment, competition, or expectations”; Christina does not expect you to know to perform yoga to attend her classes as part of the fun is learning! You are welcome to inform her about your issues whether it is a sore neck, back, or stress. Christina will focus on these issues for you personally and everyone else in the class will benefit also.
