ABOUT US

FERNANDA SANTIAGO

FOUNDER, CERTIFIED AROMATHERAPIST, LMBT

Born in the Island of Puerto Rico, Fernanda Santiago has always had a passion for wellness and helping people get healthy.  Her great grandmother was a midwife, herbalist and considered by many to be an expert in the use of natural healing compounds. This knowledge of herbal medicine and natural healing has been passed down for generations. Fernanda was introduced to Aromatic Botanical Medicine early in her career and has specialized in Aromatherapy for 20 years. She has also trained in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and mentored by Acupuncture Physicians, and Botanists, gaining hands on experience. She has studied with both Floracopeia and The School of Aromatic Studies.She loves gardening, the outdoors and creating custom formulations for her clients. She has a private practice in Apex, NC named Healing Feels Good®. Here she provides consultations, Aromatherapy treatments & formulations as well as bodywork sessions such as Reflexology, Thai Massage and Thai Herbal Poultice treatments.

She is the co-founder of Apex Retreat Seminars, a nationally approved continuing education school for massage therapist and is a Level 2 NAHA Certified Professional Aromatherapist.

She loves to share her knowledge and passion for helping others using traditional methods of healing.

REBECCA BRUMFIELD

LMT, CERTIFIED CUPPING THERAPIST

Rebecca currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but her love of traveling and mentoring women in the health & wellness industry allows her to help other women grow their business. She has a deep passion for Mother Earth & spending time out in nature hiking and camping with her rescue dog. Her current project is self-converting a tiny school bus into her very own “spa mobile” which will allow her to take her bodywork skills on-the-go! Rebecca is the founder of Badass Bodyworkers, a supportive online community of encouraging, badass go-getters and goal-diggers who help each other overcome their fears and blocks, attract their ideal clients, and set boundaries needed in order to grow a thriving, profitable business that allows women to rock their wellness business without stress and burnout. Rebecca Brumfield is the owner of Nomadic Bodyworks, founder of Badass Bodyworkers, Podcaster, Queen of Cupping Therapy, Massage Magazine Author, Bodywork Mentor, Industry Educator, Spa and Wellness Industry Concierge, World Massage Hall of Famer, Aquarius, ENFP, Enneagram7, & Die Hard Taco Lover.

Dr. Crystal Abitz

Ph.D., LMT,

CSCS

Crystal is a licensed massage therapist, former NCAA D1 strength and conditioning coach, international educator and researcher, published author, and highly sought-after keynote inspirational speaker. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Sciences, with an emphasis in Human and Sports Performance. She has a M.A. in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a B.S. in Education. Crystal is a subject matter expert in emotion regulation, impression management and self presentation, and reflective practice. Crystal is a dynamic, influential woman whose positive outlook and zest for life is contagious.

Crystal is the owner of Legacy Wellness LLC, whose mission is to educate and inspire men and women to live fulfilling and rewarding lives aligned with their personal core values. Their secondary mission is to help their clients move and live with less anxiety, fear, inflammation, and pain— to enjoy a greater quality of life while participating in the physical activities they love. Crystal currently resides in Beaufort, SC with her husband and two young children.

WILLIAM STEPHENSON

E-RYT, LMBT

William is an E-RYT with thousands of teaching hours logged over 10+ years in the Triangle. Upon graduating from the Body Therapy Institute in 2015 he went on to study Myofascial Release and Unwinding with John F. Barnes.Fernanda, the co-founder of Apex Retreat, attended one of William’s yoga classes many years ago and brought him on board to establish his own massage practice along with the rest of the team. Since that fateful day, the two have become evermore aligned and entwined in the journey toward healing, teaching each other and countless others along the way via Apex Retreat Seminars and the Healing Arts and Massage school.

From the outset of his journey, he has held a curious obsession for classical yoga that led to a deep dive into hot yoga for many years. Although Sun salutations and Sanskrit hold a special place in his heart, curiosity led us to the frontiers of Yin yoga as it pertains to the myofascial system. He currently teaches Anatomy, Sanskrit, and Yin yoga for a couple of yoga teacher training programs in Raleigh, as well as co-leading retreats and the Yoga Alliance accredited school: Nova Yoga. In practice on the mat or in treatment, the hope is to maintain a sacred space that fosters curiosity, authentic expression, and radical self acceptance.

DEAN HEBERT

LMBT, CERTIFIED THAI MASSAGE THERAPIST

“The body knows what to do, you just need to let it.” 

Dean has a versatile portfolio of a hard working man. He discovered his true calling in the wellness field. Dean has been a practicing LMBT for over 8 years and is one of the most sought after Massage Therapists in well known Spas in the Triangle Area. Dean’s specialty and focus is on helping the body function and mobilize better to achieve optimal health. He finds it very disheartening that the average career life expectancy of a massage therapist is approximately 5-7 years. This has motivated him to help other therapist add longevity to their practice by focusing on proper body mechanics and working smarter instead of harder.

JASON ATKINS

CERTIFIED BACK COUNTRY SURVIVAL INSTRUCTOR, LMBT

J W Atkins is a well-rounded Massage Therapist from Chapel Hill with over 10 yrs of experience. Jason was a behavior science modification specialist/combat field medic. His military background only strengthens his character.

Jessica York

Jessica is a licensed massage therapist and cosmetologist in Michigan, as well as being certified through the NCBTMB as a therapist and approved continuing education provider. In her 18 year career, she has studied over 40 modalities, opened a vegan  day spa, spoken at International Women's Day Detroit, founded a networking group, hosted a podcast, and coordinates events throughout the community. While her niche is in prenatal, her classes range in skill set and style. Her goal with classes is to take a traditional category and put a spin on it so that classes never feel boring. She loves education, the social sciences, communication, and interaction so that classes feel useful and relevant to the individual's practice. She has been listed in the Best of Detroit finalists and placeholders for 2020, 2021, and 2022; has been featured in Massage Magazine, Strong Fitness Magazine, and a variety of local publications. In her spare time, you can find her modeling, reading, gardening, or just cuddling on the couch with her fur babies.

Likes: animals, small boxes, tarot card decks, and beach days

Dislikes: mosquitoes, AI, when pens run out of ink, and taxes

Elijah Dougherty

Elijah Dougherty, a 36-year-old veteran of the US Army hailing from Austin, Texas, has forged a diverse path encompassing multiple realms of wellness. As a dedicated practitioner and teacher of yoga, he found solace and strength in his spiritual practice, intertwining meditation and yoga to nurture both body and soul. With eight years of experience as a massage therapist, Elijah honed his skills in various modalities, ultimately specializing in therapeutic and deep tissue techniques. His journey led him to Thailand, where he immersed himself in the rich tapestry of Thai culture, infusing traditional Thai massage with Western practices while deeply respecting the cultural heritage of Thailand. Elijah's passion for authenticity led him to seek out and incorporate genuine traditional Thai techniques, which he now shares eagerly with fellow American therapists, fostering a deeper appreciation for the holistic art form rooted in centuries-old traditions.