by Kelsey Hillian | May 27, 2021 | Energy Healing
Heal From Within: Energy Healing Q+A May 27, 2021 What if we told you you were born with an innate ability to heal yourself? Whether you have chronic pain, are dealing with anxiety or sleep issues, truly any physical issue can be healed from within. It’s as simple as...by Kelsey Hillian | May 19, 2021 | Aromatherapy
The Benefits of Aromatherapy In The Springtime May 19, 2021 Virginia is for lovers we say. Well, I do agree until the moment I step outside for a morning jog in early spring… For those like myself, leaving winter behind is delightful. I know holidays are great BUT the...by Kelsey Hillian | May 5, 2021 | Uncategorized
Memo to Mom May 5, 2021 Memo to MomIt’s May and we all know what that means, Mother’s Day is coming! While I am not a mom myself, I have several in my life that I love and care for. It never fails that every time I am in the presence of a mom, I notice the love and...
I believe that no matter what life throws at you, there is always a way to find joy. Whether life is as good as it gets or you find yourself in the midst of difficult circumstances, choosing to prioritize health and wellness is imperative. I love working in the health and wellness industry where I can help direct people to what is best for their body and mind, encouraging them to seek wholeness in order that they too can thrive.
I have 5 kids, ages 20,18,16,15,12. Native Virginia Beach-er. Married to my college sweetheart Eric for 24 years. Love to spend time at the beach, hang out with my family (especially when they’re ALL together) and think summer should last 11 months a year.
I am a dedicated, passionate worker who enjoys being able to help people! I’ve always been interested in physical therapy as a career choice! I dream about becoming a physical therapist down the road! I also love how within the field of physical therapy, you are always learning which makes physical therapy even more exciting! It is also a rewarding experience to watch patients progress throughout their journey to live a better quality of life!
I was an intern at Thrive in the summer of 2020 and I knew that this is where I belonged!
I went to James Madison University and graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and Pre-Physical Therapy!
Brittany is a motivated, enthusiastic professional with a passion for people and education. She enjoys getting to know each of our patients, and their goals, in order to assist in their overall progress. Brittany believes that teamwork, innovation and quality are the backbone elements that create an enjoyable experience for our clients, and empowers them with the tools to progress towards a thriving lifestyle. When Brittany is not interacting with our patients, she is either pushing our team to grow and develop, or out in the community connecting with various individuals organizations on behalf of Thrive.
Brittany has two boxer fur babies she loves spending time with. She loves impacting the younger generation and finds time to volunteer in the community when she can. When Brittany is not at work you can find her at the gym, meal prepping or spending time with loved ones and making memories.
I love creativity and being able to express myself through photography and seeing what this world has to offer. I truly believe that social media is where this world is heading for marketing and it excites me to help businesses expand their audiences through all social media platforms through digital media marketing.
After working as a receptionist in the dental world for several years, she decided it was time for a change of pace. She moved to Virginia Beach and began to use her knowledge from school in the field of
marketing in the real world.
She received her Associates Degree in Business Administration from Dutchess County Community College, she continued her education at the State University Of New York at New Paltz and graduated with her
Bachelor’s Degree with a focus of Marketing.
Outside of The Office: Allison enjoys spending time with her husband and golden retriever and doing various activities that include
photography, working out, watching movies and much more.
Danielle has been married to her wonderful husband Kyle for six years. They have two Border Collies: Penny who is 5 and Copper who is 9 months. They love to take them on adventures, but their all-time favorite is a trip to the OBX. Sound or sea, they love any beach the best. She loves any kind of music she can dance to and can be spotted at a stoplight dancing it out in the car. She loves to read and believes that getting lost in a good book is good for your soul. Danielle is a comedy fan and loves to laugh so shows like The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family are her favorite. Her ideal free day would be a sunny day on the beach with my family, a good book, and some good music.
Matt brings over 18 years of experience in the fitness industry and a passion for movement and people! He has an insatiable appetite for learning and has always had a fascination with how things work. That curiosity first manifested during his studies at VCU and evolved over a life of navigating his own chronic pain and injuries and the search for information and hard to find answers. He credits that important journey, though, with truly learning the capabilities of the applied human body and the transformative power of strength training.
From his time at VCU to over a decade spent coaching in some of the top clubs in NYC and now back to his home state, he has trained in a myriad of gym and fitness centers from private clubs to some of the most prestigious facilities in the country. He remembers taking some of the first fitness courses in “Functional Training” and has done extensive continuing education in the areas of posture, biomechanics and corrective exercise. The only thing that rivals his passion for improving the way people move, is his desire to empower his client in their own health journey; to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. He is a true coach, completely committed to and invested in his clients and their success.
Matt is also a devoted husband and proud father of the two most creative, determined and independent girls. In a house of all women, he admits that he is completely outnumbered but also acknowledges that he wouldn’t have it any other way.
If not in the gym he may be found coaching his daughters’ sports, going on adventures with his family, singing and playing music (he plays three instruments), or enjoying a rare choice bourbon with friends.
Mandy adores fitness because she believes that through building your body you can build the confidence and strength to take on everyday life. Through challenging yourself physically you also challenge yourself mentally as well, enabling one to take on new opportunities and ultimately living your life to its fullest. Personal training is so much more than physical appearance and what you are “able” to do, it is helping people see how beautifully and wonderfully made they are.
Before coming to Thrive Mandy worked at a small gym in upstate NY called Infinity where she taught strength and conditioning to individuals as well as group classes. She enjoyed helping athletes improve their performance, individuals build strength to go outside and hike, and helping people who wanted to have the energy to keep up with their kids/grandkids.
BA in Art Education Towson University
NASM CPT
Precision Nutrition Cert
Certified Physical Preparedness Specialist
Mandy is an avid outdoor enthusiast and traveler. She enjoys snowboarding, surfing, longboarding, hiking and eating all the food! Exploring, learning different cultures and meeting new people brings life…and she loves encouraging others to do the same!
She enjoys indie-folk coffee house music to electronic
She loves the new Mr.Rogers film. She feels like she needs to watch it on a regular basis to remind herself how to constantly love people.
Mandy lived in Japan for 3 years and it continues to be one of her favorite countries! She also loves Sri Lakanka, the culture and people are beautiful.
In her spare time she enjoys dabbling in watercolor painting! It’s a great way to unwind and relax.
While swimming and rowing collegiately at Virginia Tech, Dr. Sanchez sought the expertise of a Sport Psychologist to help her through a performance slump. The positive impact this training had on her own athletic endeavors allowed her to realize her true passion – to assist others in achieving performance excellence while living a high quality, balanced life.
Dr. Sanchez specializes in providing mental and cognitive skills training for optimal performance in high pressure scenarios. She has over 15 years of experience working with athletes and other performers who desire to unlock their true potential. She routinely integrates biofeedback technology and yoga for facilitating optimal psycho-physiological regulation of performance and recovery states. Mental skills training programs consist of group workshops and individual consultations that are customized based on environment and goals. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to consult with elite athletes, executives, first responders, and military personnel.
“There is only one opportunity to carry out the amazing journey we are destined to live. Choose to live this life with purpose and intensity. I entered the field of Applied Sport Psychology because I am truly honored to assist others in reaching their full potential in sport, career, and life.”
– Christine
Dr. Heller specializes in helping individuals optimize their mindset in order to perform at their highest level. She is eager to provide services to individuals and groups that are motivated to move to the next level of success.
From the time that she worked with a sport psychologist as a teenager, Dr. Heller knew that this was the career for her. She is enthusiastic about providing innovative services using cutting edge skills and techniques that are supported by research. The tips and strategies from that she specializes in can help individuals breakthrough performance slumps, gain a sharper edge, and advance past their status quo both on and off the field.
“I started working with a sport psychologist to maximize my potential as an individual and athlete. I believe in leaving it all on the table and giving 100% so I always know that it is my best effort every time, regardless of the outcome. Even in defeat or after a setback, every experience is a chance to grow and develop.”
– Tracy
Neva believes we all experience setbacks and challenges that we need to overcome in life, whether that’s in the athletic/performance realm or everyday life. And even if nothing is going “wrong”, there are skills that we may need to learn to optimize our well-being.
“I personally believe that every day I wake up, I should strive to be better. What can I do? What can I learn to be better? How can I invest in myself today? What skills can I put in my tool belt? What do I not know about myself that I need to know to be better?”
Neva is excited to bring individuals performance from level 5 to 10; she wants to take people to a new level of excellence that they have never experienced before. One of Neva’s many passions with mental performance, is assisting patients in overcoming injuries, in a multitude of ways, including but not limited to: injury rehab, conditioning the mental state while enduring injuries, overcoming injuries to produce optimum performance, and coming back from high-stress injury environments with a clear mind.
Vivian is dedicated to the practice of the holistic healing arts and draws upon Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to address health concerns and improve well-being. TCM theories are used to identify the “root” of a health condition, rather than treating only the “branches” or clinical symptoms. Her goal is to integrate complementary treatment strategies with Western medical supervision to best support the patient as a whole.
Vivian listens with a patient ear and treats with a compassionate heart. Her philosophy is that we all possess an innate healing wisdom and the patient and therapist can work as a team to bring the body-mind into balance.
Vivian used to be a DJ and danced Polynesian dance professionally.
Vivian’s favorite food is Indian or Thai, her favorite color is purple and her favorite sport is gymnastics!
Lauren has always been passionate about administrative and clerical work; especially in the medical community being able to see tangible progress in patients brings her joy. After being on the other side of the front desk for personal health concerns, she always tries to be the best that she can be to help someone even if it’s a small step.
Lauren enjoys all types of music
Her favorite Tv show is The Office
She loves to travel, so anywhere she can venture to she’s there! She would love to go back to France.
In her free time she loves playing the guitar and piano & volunteering at her church
Dante believes in empowering people to have the knowledge and tools they need to control their health and wellness. As a healthcare professional, he takes pride in guiding his patients to improve their well-being and be able to enjoy all of life’s activities.
Dante loves being able to work one-on-one with all types of people to build strong lasting relationships around the common goal of optimizing health. He understands the complex biological, psychological, and social impacts to our health, and addresses these various factors with a holistic treatment approach.
Dante has spent his career in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, as well as an embedded physical therapist in an industrial setting. He has worked with a variety of patients, including athletes, weekend warriors, post-surgical, manufacturing, and chronic pain.
A proud father of two young boys, and husband of a teacher
Passionate about the impacts of nutrition on health
Dante grew up in Wisconsin, but definitely born for the beach life
Loves being outdoors, going to the beach, live music, obstacle course races/Mud runs, vegetable gardening and cooking.
Favorite music – Jam band, folk, americana, alternative, R&B, Neo-soul
Favorite movie – He loves documentaries. Some of his favorites include The Game Changers, What the Health, Forks Over Knives, A Life on Our Planet.
Dante was lucky to go to Sicily with his wife for their honeymoon, and would love to go back. It doesn’t get any better than Italian food straight from the source.
Jen Fedorowicz is a Reiki Master, B.E.S.T. (Bio-energetic Synchronization Technique) practitioner and E-YRT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) as well as the founder of jEnergy. Jen works with clients to get energy moving through the body for physical + emotional healing.
All of life is a reflection of your energy flow. Whether you have blocks causing physical disease or blocks keeping you stuck in life.
Jen’s signature service, “jEnergy”, is a fusion of ancient yoga practices along with energy medicine as a certified Energy Codes Facilitator. jEnergy infuses Energy Codes into her teachings to help you activate untapped energy and neurocircuitry in your body and empower your hidden potential to become one with your true, essential self. Her work is grounded in practical, accessible movement patterns, breathwork, and meditations.
Jen is a teacher at heart and equips every client she encounters with easy tools to use and incorporate into your life to keep your energy flowing and help you access the healer within you.
Heather graduated from Old Dominion University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science. She worked as an Exercise Specialist for 4 years before her passion for women’s health led her to become a Labor and Delivery nurse. She graduated from Sentara with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2013. She has a passion for health and fitness, particularly pregnancy and postpartum women’s health.
Heather grew up locally in Chesapeake, VA. She’s married with two young boys and 3 rescued pit bulls. She enjoys being active, running, reading, going to concerts and being outdoors with her boys.
In her spare time Christy enjoys being outdoors, live music, dancing and boxing.
Kathryn has 9 years of experience delivering outstanding customer service in the medical field. She graduated from Old Dominion University with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and she is passionate about finding natural alternatives to pain.
Kathryn is a VA Beach native. Outside of the office Kathryn enjoys traveling with her family and making memories with her 2 boys. She loves live music and singing poorly, but very enthusiastically at shows. She is also an avid runner, reader and lover of all things cheese.
Ashley found her purpose after an injury led her to physical therapy and the treatment known as soft tissue manipulation. In 2013, she graduated from The Institute of Massage Therapies with emphasis on orthopedic assessment. By applying her knowledge of neuromuscular therapy, Ashley works with clients to address any postural distortions or biochemical dysfunction. She provides a therapeutic massage by targeting muscle adhesions, trigger points and connective tissue patterns while blending trigger point therapy with myofascial release techniques. Her passion lies in educating clients about their body’s natural ability to heal itself when it’s given the optimal environment. Ashley is also an Advanced Restorative Reiki Practitioner and is training to become a Reiki Master. She believes that one must bring balance and harmony to the body through energy healing in order to maximize health and wellness.
Ashley loves to walk in nature and enjoy all of the beauty that surrounds us. She spends her free time with her family and dogs more than anything! Her favorite movie is Labyrinth, favorite show is Parks & Rec and her favorite music is Disco- Funk/Soul!
Neida Fedison’s 11 years of experience have shaped her unique approach to healthcare, where she focuses in empowering patients through education and making them active participants of their recovery. She works as the only Licensed Acupuncturist at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, where she treats Active Duty military personnel suffering from chronic pain and/or PTSD. Additionally, she facilitates and participates in an Interdisciplinary pain professional group as an expert on her field helping to diagnose and design treatment plans for complicated cases. She started her career in Miami, FL and as a military spouse has moved around the country, allowing her to be exposed to many difference ways of life and professional experiences. Prior to being at the Naval Medical Center, Neida worked at the Woman Safe Health and OB/gyn practice specialized in patients that have suffered trauma such as abuse and PTSD or suffer from substance use disorder. In Ann Arbor, MI. Neida also worked at the University of Maryland Cancer Center as a researcher for the use of acupuncture to manage chemotherapy side effects. She also had a 4-year private practice in Glen Burnie, MD, where she treated patients form all the spectrum of Internal Medicine conditions. She is an avid learner and through her career has been training in multiple Acupuncture modalities, such as TCM, Battlefield, Neuro-Acupuncture, and Dao needle. She is currently working on receiving her certification as a Functional Medical Practitioner.
Neida is a proud US Coast Guard spouse. She is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and is
bilingual, being able to fluently speak both English and Spanish. She has also learned and
experienced various cultures by mere travel to many different countries and inside the USA.
With a love for her family; her husband, her mother, and her only daughter. Her hobbies are
dancing, watching romance, comedy, suspense, and action movies and TV shows (no horror),
favorite food: Spanish/French. Favorite music: country
Katie is graduating from Bryant and Stratton College in June 2020 with a Medical Assistant degree. She will continue her education for Physical Therapy Assistant. Katie has always had a passion for helping others and has a dream of being a PTA.
Avery is a recent graduate from Salisbury University and received her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science, and became a certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). She is very excited to continue her education and start at Old Dominion University’s Masters of Science in Athletic Training Program in the summer of 2020. Avery has always enjoyed helping others, and she has the dream of becoming an Athletic Trainer.
Avery has 3 other sisters who are her favorite people in the world.
Grew up in Baltimore, MD and is new to the Virginia Beach area.
Avery is a coffee and food connoisseur who is always looking for new, cool places to eat in Virginia Beach.
Favorite foods are Pho, Ramen, and other Asian cuisine.
In her free time she likes to read, go to the beach or hiking, and loves spending time with her family.
Provider
Tara is a rugby athlete, hard worker and very dedicated to growing in her career path in healthcare. She is looking to go to Massage and Physical Therapy school in the future and values personal care and proactive health as necessities for success and happiness. Tara loves working directly with patients and helping them manage their health.
Mo is a passionate holistic health advocate specializing in massage and various manual therapies with over 15 years of experience in the health and wellness field.
She has further advanced her post graduate skills with the pursuit of the prestigious Postural Restoration Institute Certification and expanded her holistic expertise through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Her drive to learn and further help people led her to combine manual and biomechanical movement knowledge to create cutting-edge, specialized treatments. This diverse and demanding educational experience has allowed Maureen to live up to her desire of motivating, nurturing, and empowering people so that they can live a happy, healthy, balanced life.
“I love being able to help empower people to improve their health and well-being by providing different tools and methods based on their unique needs.”
– Mo
Chantal specializes in providing pain relief, pain management and relaxation to individuals seeking to optimize their personal and professional potential, well-being, and quality of life. She has over 8 years of experience working holistically with people challenged with acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and dysfunctions, hormonal, digestive, and autoimmune disorders.
Through her own life challenges and needs for physical, emotional and mental balance, Chantal has developed a unique set of skills and a keen sense of empathy for people eager to restore, improve and maintain their health and well-being. Her mission is to support her team’s work in providing peace, comfort, connection, meaning, and purpose during time of struggle, as well as physical demand and need for superior athletic performances.
Chantal has learned and mastered effective and non-invasive massage techniques that focus on the medical benefits of soft tissue manipulation, mobilization, alternative pressure and essential oils to provide superior and cumulative customized results.
“As Paulo Coelho said “I bear many scars, but I also carry with me moments that would not have happened if I had not dared to go beyond my limits.” I embrace the belief that, in the pursuit of balance and well-being, there is no such thing that shortcut or easy fix; it requires dependability, discipline, determination and commitment.”
– Chantal
Ana is a dedicated, passionate worker that cares about helping others and providing the highest quality client experience. She believes that working in the medical field is very rewarding, especially when she’s able to support the clients and coworkers around her.
She has been working in the medical industry for 10 years now, 7 of which were in physical therapy.
Lisa is a hard-working leader that empowers her team and encourages them to do their absolute best. With over 25 years in medical management, Lisa is an expert in the field and is a driving force to always improve and enhance the front-end systems at Thrive.
She lives life to the fullest, has her B.A. in Criminal Justice, and family means the world to her, especially her son. Lisa is driven and kind, and a valuable part of the client experience at Thrive. Everything that she does is done with excellence to ensure that all Thrive clients and employees are best taken care of.
Karyn is an energetic, motivated professional who thrives within a team environment. Her passion for physical therapy is seen daily as she prepares treatment areas, equipment, and materials, along with performing procedures under the supervision of our physical therapists.
She is currently enrolled in a physically therapy assistant program and will graduate in 2018, which will lead her to continuing her passion as a licensed PTA. Working at Thrive has allowed her to focus on her education and gain hands-on experience as she finishes schooling. She also has 20 years worth of customer service experience, and understands the great importance of building and maintaining client relationships.
Julie is an industry leading Sports Rehab and Postural Restoration Specialist with over 17 years of experience in the Fitness and Sports Medicine industry. She is the only Hampton Roads Therapist Certified Provider in Postural Restoration.
Through her diverse educational background and willingness to explore the unknown, Julie has developed an extensive and unique postgraduate skillset to offer you a holistic perspective on injury rehabilitation, prevention, and maintenance. Julie’s expertise bridges the gap between rehabilitation and performance. She highly values and understands the integration involved in the continuum of care associated with treating athletes and patients of all ages.
She has aborted many traditional therapy techniques in the quest to learn an advanced science that offers even the toughest patients some if not complete relief.
“I love purpose, passion, and serving others. Helping people achieve their goals and the health of our team is extremely important to me. I liberate and amplify the strengths and talents of others and facilitate teamwork so that we together can exceed expectations.”
– Julie
Lee believes that we all need to take personal responsibility in our health and wellness, but from time to time we need to rely on the expertise of others to get there. He likes to be the one to help close that gap for people so that they can take it from there and continue doing what they love.
He has been working since 2002 in various outpatient orthopedic physical therapy sites treating those including athletes, weekend warriors, post-surgical ortho patients and people with everyday wear and tear injuries.
Q: How do I schedule a cupping session?
A: At Thrive, cupping is incorporated into our restorative + performance physical therapy and signature massage treatments. When scheduling, be sure to speak with our front desk to ensure that you are choosing a service that features this technique.
Q: Are there different kinds of treatments?
A: We perform several kinds of cupping, use various size cups, and sometimes incorporate a vacuum machine to assist with larger muscle groups. We also integrate functional positions when cupping to shut off hyperactive muscles that are preventing mobility in other areas.
Q: Will cupping give me bruises?
A: There is a common misconception that cupping breaks capillaries and causes bruising. Cupping does not create bruises–bruises are caused by impact trauma and breakage of capillaries; thus, the circular marks that are sometimes left by cupping are not bruises.
Q: What are the circular marks left by cupping?
A: The marks that may occur with cupping are caused as the vacuum pressure draws up old non-circulating stagnant blood, cellular debris, and other pathogenic factors found within an injured or strained area of your body. By bringing this metabolic waste and inflammation to the surface, it allows for healthy circulation to be restored to affected area. It is also important to note that not all forms of cupping leave marks.
Q: Why are some of my cupping marks darker than others?
A: The darker the mark, the more stagnation and toxins that were released and brought to the surface. If the tissue is healthy, the less coloring the marks will leave on the skin after treatment.
If you’re interested in learning more, contact us today!