Co-Owners
Lisa Lahm
Lisa Lahm has been a practicing Licensed Massage Therapist for over 20 years and since 2007 has established a thriving practice in Lawrence, KS. She is the founder/owner of Body Specific, which has fulfilled her dream of owning her own company and has since, with the help of her business partner, Leah Henderson, created a Whole Health Center to include a large diverse massage therapy team, chiropractic care, acupuncture, skin care and waxing.
After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Kansas State University, she graduated with honors from the nationally renowned Boulder College of Massage Therapy in Boulder, CO. Specializing in Neuromuscular and Trigger Point Therapy, she has successfully treated various conditions including chronic neck and back pain, tension headaches/migraines, Fibromyalgia, low back and sciatic nerve pain. Continuing her education, Lisa received specialized training in Oncology Massage allowing her to work safely and with a greater understanding of needed modifications on individuals that are currently being treated for cancer, survivors, or cancer patients in the final stages of life. In 2020, Lisa received her certification in Personal Training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine with a focus on postural strength training.
Lisa has worked with a multitude of active individuals that range from Professional and Olympic athletes, triathletes and runners, as well as individuals that like stay physically active but do so on a more moderate level. Being a professional fitness competitor herself, Lisa leads a very active lifestyle which is a passion for her outside of her work as well as spending quality time with her husband and son and traveling as often as she can.
Lisa is not accepting new clients at this time.
Leah Henderson
Leah is the Co-Owner and Marketing Director of Body Specific. Leah has been in Lawrence since 1998 when a softball scholarship brought her to the University of Kansas. She graduated with a degree in Exercise Science and decided to settle down in Jayhawk country. Right after graduation, Leah worked for 24 Hour Fitness personal training and marketing. Leah is fond of the idea of being able to help people feel better, so when the opportunity arose she decided to pursue a business with a great friend that solely focuses on her passion.
In her free time, Leah loves to hang out and travel with her husband and son.
Massage Therapists
Alissa Dundes Schmidt
Alissa is a Southern California native who grew up playing a variety of sports and ultimately devoted her time to competitive swimming. Alissa moved to New Orleans in 2005 after earning a swimming scholarship to the University of New Orleans where she earned a B.S. in Psychology with a focus in Pre-Physical Therapy in 2009. She then earned a Diploma of Massage Therapy from Blue Cliff College, graduating with honors in 2011 before moving to Lawrence in 2013. After a short hiatus from massage therapy to coach for the Lawrence Aquahawks, Alissa returned to massage in November 2015 working at Salon Di Marco & Day Spa before moving to Body Specific in March 2017.
Alissa is working to become a physical therapist and brings the relevance of her studies into her massages. Specializing in deep tissue and trigger point therapy, Alissa intends to benefit her clients’ overall well-being through regular massage therapy, increased stretches and movement, and improved posture and biomechanics. Alissa’s movements are based in Tai Chi providing a rhythmic and undulating flow that brings periods of relaxation in more intense deep tissue sessions.
In her free time, Alissa enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and two dogs at their new home in North Lawrence.
Alex Prince
Alexander was born and raised in Kansas, growing up with sisters and mother who worked in the health care services, and a creative father who inspired his love for learning. Alexander attended Emporia State University and graduated with a BSE in English in 2017, before ultimately pursuing his passion for massage therapy. Alexander graduated from Wellspring School of Allied Health in 2020.
Specializing in Deep Tissue and Hot Stone massage, Alexander enjoys bringing deep relief and relaxation to his clients. Ever a lifelong student, he is eager to learn from his clients and peers, and expand his knowledge of technique and modalities to better serve and provide.
In his free time, Alexander enjoys spending time with close friends and family, walking or running along nature paths, visiting cafes for tea and coffee, and resting in warm sunspots.
Ashley Fry
Ashley studied massage therapy and graduated from The Aveda Institute Minneapolis in 2010. Early in her career, she had the privilege of treating student athletes at The University of Minnesota before transferring to Lawrence. In 2019, she acquired her certificate in personal training through The National Academy of Sports Medicine. Her passion has always been to work with those recovering from injury or who are seeking maintenance in their overall health.
In the fall of 2022, Ashley added a new service “Movement and Balance” to the menu. For this treatment, she combines hands-on soft tissue work with prescribed exercises to improve muscle weakness that can reduce chronic pain.
When she is not working, she enjoys running, golfing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Dre Allen
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Aundre (Dre) moved to Lawrence in 2006. He attended Free State High School, graduating in 2010. At Free State, Dre played football, baskeball and ran track. He continued his football career at Baker University for 5 years, graduating from Baker with a B. A. in Exercise Science. After graduation, Dre became a personal trainer and Boxer Instructor at Title Boxing Club. There he fell in love with Boxing and started an amateur career as a boxer. While boxing, Dre needed a way to help his body recover from the intense training and matches. That’s when he started to get massages and noticed the impact on his body.
After 5 years of competing as a boxer, Dre decided to attend Wellspring Allied Health to pursue a career as a Massage Therapist. Dre is excited to join the Body Specific team, while also continuing his work as a personal trainer/ boxing instuctor at Jayhawk Club Wellness Center and a Coach OrangeTheory of Lawrence.
Jake Fritzel
Jake is a Douglas County Native, and has lived in the Lawrence area most of his life. He started his Wellness Journey in 2012, after losing a significant weight he went to the WellSpring School of Allied Health and completed their Personal Training Wellness Program, and as a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Weight Loss Specialist, he taught group fitness and offered personal training at punch boxing and fitness.
In 2016, Jake went back to WellSpring and completed the Massage Therapy and Wellness Program, with a 4.0 GPA and Associate Degree in Applied Studies. Since completing the program, Jake has focused completely on massage.
A lifelong Martial Artist, Jake has recently started teaching a small Okinawan Kenpo karate and Kobudo class. He likes to spend his time exercising, practicing martial arts, reading, long walks listening to audio books, and playing video games. He also likes making his friends and family laugh.
Julie Scruggs
After graduating from WellSpring Massage School in 2016, Julie Scruggs started her massage career with Body Specific. Julie‘s techniques include senior massage, prenatal massage, and cupping. Julie’s massage offers all-over relaxation, with some trigger point therapy for those tougher, more tense knots and muscles.
When Julie is not working at Body Specific or gardening at our local Pendleton’s, you’ll find her spending time with her daughter, husband, and many pets. She’s an avid lover of horses and likes to explore new areas of the world.
Mara Mueller
Mara is a graduate of Wellspring School of Allied Health. Growing up, she always loved hiking, reading, and art, and the meditative aspects of those activities have informed her life and her style of bodywork. She likes to balance relaxation with deeper knotwork, and will always prioritize your comfort.
Melissa Pike
Melissa received her formal training from Massage Therapy Training Institute, Kansas City in 2007. She specializes in pre and post natal massage, as well as deep tissue and energy work. Melissa is a Seichim Reiki Master/Teacher. She brings movement with intent to her work, and encompasses spirit, mind, and body to restore health. Melissa enjoys working with crystals and stones, and also essential oils to bring forth balance.
In her spare time Melissa enjoys listening to and creating music, and skateboarding. Most often, she can be found on adventure with her seven children. They enjoy fishing, camping, skateboarding, and nature walks in unknown places.
Mindy Mies & Shadow
At an early age, Mindy had to learn to navigate life without sight. Using touch and her other remaining heightened senses, Mindy has accomplished many things in life. She has conquered black diamond ski slopes in Colorado, completed half marathons and always enjoys a good challenge. Mindy enjoys walking and spending time with her family and her many animals. One important animal for Mindy is Shadow, her Seeing Eye Dog. Shadow was bred and professional trained at The Seeing Eye Inc. located in Morristown, New Jersey. Shadow not only provides independence for Mindy, but her clients often report experiencing a therapeutic/calming effect having Shadow around. After many years as the “family therapist”, in 2018 she decided to formalize her training and provide her services to the public.
Mindy is a Lawrence High School graduate, attended the University of Kansas earning a Bachelors in Human Development with a concentration in Gerontology. She earned her Associates of Occupational Science, Massage Therapist from Wellspring and earned academic honors. In addition to the common massage modalities, Mindy has received additional training in sports injury, medical conditions and movement modalities.
Nicole Manriquez
Tyler Sharpless
Estheticians
Alexus Jones
Alexus is a Licensed Esthetician that is passionate about skincare and focusing on each individuals skin type and condition. She graduated from Entourage Institute of Beauty and Esthetics in Lenexa, KS. Alexus completed 1,000 hours of hands-on training in facial procedures and hair removal, and academic requirements including skin anatomy & physiology, advanced skin treatments, client consultations, and skin analysis before joining the Body Specific team in 2016.
Alexus is a Colorado Native who now resides in Lawrence, KS. in her free time, Alexus finds great joy in spending quality time with her family, new daughter, good friends and two dogs.
Grace Soto
Grace is a Licensed Esthetician who specializes in skincare treatments, body waxing and classic lash extensions. She graduated Eric Fisher Academy in Wichita, KS in April of 2020. Grace has spent the past two years honing her skills in esthetics while picking up skills for new services, including dermaplaning and lash lifts. She always ensures every clients’ needs are met and that they leave their session feeling beautiful and confident.
Sarah Fuentez
Sarah Fuentez is a Licensed Esthetician. She graduated from Mitsu Sato Academy in Overland Park, KS in 2020. Sarah is extremely passionate when it comes to making sure all her clients are taken care of and are happy with their skin, and providing the best service whether it’s a custom facial or a waxing. Sarah’s goal at Body Specific is to meet as many new faces as she can and be their go-to person for skincare and waxing.
In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and her dog, Sadie.
Medical Aesthetics & Nutrition
Dr. Toni Pittman
Melissa S. Norris, APRN
Chiropractor
Dr. Cheyanne Morris-Evans
Support Staff
Sophie Gulino
Sophie works as Front Desk Support during the week.
Sophie is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and is now attending KU. She plans to graduate in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. When Sophie isn’t at school or working, she is hanging out with friends or serving on her sorority’s Chapter Management Team.
Annalee Hanneman
Annalee works Front Desk Support during the week.
Annalee is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma but moved to Lawrence to attend KU. She plans on graduating in 2024 with a Bachelors in Environmental Studies. When Annalee isn’t at school or work she enjoys walking her dog, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
Megan McHenry
Megan works as a Front Desk Assistant on Saturdays and fills in during the week as needed.
Megan loves being in nature, making various home goods, and having nightly dance parties with her hilarious toddler and husband.
Kamie Wise
Kamie works as our Front Desk Support. Born and raised in Nebraska, Kamie has made Kansas her home. She has spent many years in various positions within the healthcare industry and enjoys working with people.
Kamie and her husband Scott have 9 grandchildren. They range from 1-15 years of age. Three in the Lawrence Kansas City area and 6 more split between Texas and North Carolina. The older ones are all involved with sports so traveling is becoming more of a hobby.
In Kamie’s free time she enjoys sewing and spending time with her hubby.
Ruthie Mutuku
Ruthie works as Front Desk Support on Saturdays.
Ruthie is a student at Baker University studying Sociology and Pre-Law. When she’s not working at Body Specific, she’s either serving/hosting at Texas Roadhouse, working as a Baker University Admissions Assistant, or participating in the Chamber Choir at Baker.
In her free time, Ruthie likes to spend time outside, spend time with her family and friends, read, and drink lots of Dr. Pepper!
Sarah Tiengo
Sarah is our Digital Marketing Director. After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Advertising, Sarah worked in Corporate America as a Training and Instructional Design Specialist.
She loves the Chiefs, teaching Jazzercise, and spending time with her husband and two kids. If it’s a nice day she will be cruising around town in her blue VW Bug, Betty. She is an active member of the Lawrence Community, including volunteering at Just Food along with holding many committee positions with local groups.
Stacie Schroeder
Stacie is our Print Marketing Manager. As a graduate of Washburn University, with a degree in Communication, Stacie worked in non-profit services for nearly 12 years before joining the Body Specific team to focus on marketing, outreach, and social media.
When Stacie isn’t working on the next printing project for Body Specific, she can be found working at her full-time gig at Lawrence Habitat for Humanity. She also enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering with Relay For Life and Quail Run Elementary PTO, at her church, and advocating for childhood cancer awareness.
PHOTO CREDIT: HUMBE HARPER PHOTOGRAPHY
