Meet your Educators

 Shelle is a 2001 graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead and a 2002 graduate of The Professional Institute of Massage School 1100 program. 

Shelle has taught classes for hundreds of hours in the field of Massage Therapy.  She has also performed thousands of Massage sessions in her 20+ years of being in the industry. Teaching others is a new horizon to keep the Massage Therapy field strong and thriving!  

 I received my doctorate degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University where I had extensive experience in soft tissue modalities, rehabilitation and corrective exercises.  My passion is to provide you with quality care and education to assist you in reaching your goals and to provide the tools to take care of your body. 

I have had the privilege of working with various types of patients. Whether you are a "weekend warrior”, someone running their first 5K or a dedicated athlete, I am here to keep you healthy so that you can do what you love. I also work with patients who spend most of their days sitting at a desk, educating them on ergonomics and providing corrective exercises. 

I have worked with women who experience low back pain during pregnancy. The body is constantly changing and it is important to have a health care profession managing your pain during that exciting time. 

I am originally from Fargo and I'm excited to bring my knowledge and passion back to my hometown. When not working, I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy staying active, playing intramural volleyball, spending time at the gym or being outside. I am currently working to further my education by completing a post-graduate Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) certification. I strive to bring my patients the most current and up to date evidence in all aspects of my practice. 

My name is Kathy Johnson. My husband, Marshall, and I have been in Fargo 9 years now. We have a daughter, Freya, who is 3. I graduated from The Salon Professional Academy for Massage Therapy in June 2018 and am now a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of North Dakota. 

 I decided to pursue Massage Therapy in July of 2017. I was having chronic low back issues and after a few chiropractors and an orthopedic surgeon couldn’t figure it out, I was left without any hope for a pain-free life. In early July 2017 I received a 10 minute life changing massage. After that 10 minute massage I squatted pain free for the first time in a couple years. I knew then that I wanted to be able to help people like this Massage Therapist helped me.  

Once I started class I soon realized this is what I was meant to do. Throughout my classes I often thought I should have started this a long time ago. I am grateful for that 10 minute massage, and I am eager to help others the way I was helped.

Gavin grew up in Southwest North Dakota in the country where he got his humble beginnings caring for animals and loving the outdoors. 

He graduated from Bismarck State College and subsequently The Salon Professional Academy in Fargo, attaining massage licensure in February of 2019 as a student of Tiffany Taylor. 

Following a cherished 2.5 years of employment at Apex Physical Therapy and Wellness, Gavin started his own Active Recovery Massage business in February 2022. It is there where he is able to treat and experience the fulfillment of helping people live a happier, less-painful life.

 Outside of work Gavin enjoys spending his time with family and friends, many sports and outdoor activities, and feeding his passion of cooking.

Kristi Huber, is a Concordia graduate and holds an MBA in business. She has served in various capacities including  as the CEO of United Way of Cass-Clay, where she had the privilege of leading transformative initiatives that strengthened the organization’s impact on our community. A key highlight of her tenure was the successful completion of a capital campaign and the construction of a state-of-the-art United Way office in Fargo, ND, creating a lasting legacy for the organization’s mission. This achievement was driven by a strategic vision, effective collaboration, and the ability to inspire donors and stakeholders to rally behind a shared goal.

In addition to infrastructure development, Kristi focused on building a high-performing team of emerging leaders, empowering them to take on key roles within the organization. Working closely with a dedicated governance board, she fostered a culture of collaboration and strategic alignment, ensuring the organization remained agile and impactful. By cultivating outstanding donor relationships and expanding their donor base, she secured sustainable support to advance our mission, demonstrating the power of strong partnerships and community engagement.  

With her extensive experiences and business training, it is the perfect business instructor for EMA to assist students to LIVE THEIR DREAMS!