About Us
Fernanda Santiago
Co-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 an expert in using natural healing compounds. This knowledge of herbal medicine and natural healing has been passed down for generations.. Fernanda has spent the last 15 years learning and specializing in Aromatherapy, and has trained in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She is the co-founder of Apex Retreat Seminars as well as operating her own private practice. She love to share her knowledge and passion for helping others using traditional methods.
Jason Atkins
Co-Founder, 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.
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
Co-founder, 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 specializes in Myofacial Release, Joint Mobilization, Table Thai Massage, and Deep Tissue work. He believes in teaching his clients how to live a healthier lifestyle overall.