From his early years, Michael always felt a need to help others. After attending North Central Bible College in 1977, Michael worked with troubled teenagers, street gangs and homeless youth.

In 1992, Michael's calling led him to pursue a career as a certified massage therapist and reflexologist. In 1993 he opened his own practice," The Holistic Massage and Reflexology Center".

TEACHING/LECTURE EXPERIENCE 1993- 2013
Michael had the vision to share his gift of healing with others and began teaching and lecturing in the Chicagoland area. Michael was an instructor and student outreach coordinator at RTS Massage School in Darien. He also taught Spa Reflexology at The Academy of Nails in Downers Grove. He has lectured at the Chicago Cosmetology Association's Midwest Beauty Show, Downers Grove North and South High School Athletic Departments, Glen Ellyn Runners Association and sponsored many local 5K's and sporting events.

In 2011 he was chosen to be a subject matter expert with the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Body workers (NCBTMB) and travels to Minneapolis, MN twice yearly to assess the test materials for National Certification.

SOHMAR A SCHOOL WITH HEART
Michael and his wife opened the school in 1999 and began offering reflexology classes. In 2000 the school became certified with the Illinois Board of Higher Education and expanded the program to include massage, reflexology and CE classes. Since our inception SOHMAR has graduated hundreds of massage therapist and reflexologist. We are a small school with a big heart. We have worked with students ranging in age from 18- to 72. We have taught visually and hearing impaired individuals as well as bilingual students.

MASSAGE THERAPY HALL OF FAME 
Michael was selected by a group of his peers and inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame August 8, 2016. This is quite a feat, being that there are over 350,000 Massage Therapists and 23,000 private Massage Schools in the US alone. Choosing SOHMAR for your education means that you will be taught by a documented leading expert in the field!

IN THE COMMUNITY
Well known in the sporting community as both an athlete and sports massage therapist, Michael and SOHMAR students provide massage therapy at many Chicagoland sporting events. By participating in these events the students gain an edge working in real world situations while gaining invaluable training outside the classroom.
Over the years Mike and the school has graduated hundreds of students in Massage Therapy and Reflexology. SOHMAR has also given out scholarships which have helped people change their lives.

SOHMAR sponsors many sporting events and takes his students to them to give them "real life experience" while in school. Some of these include, The Chicago Marathon, Downers Grove Turkey Trot, Bonfield Run, MS Indoor Triathelons and much more! If you are a runner, you might even see SOHMAR students on the Glen Ellyn Prairie Path with the Glen Ellyn Runners on Sunday mornings during Marathon trainings!

Dr. Charlie Ware is the founder and chief formulator for Healing Blends Global, an all-natural herbal supplement company, and the creator of EvenFlo, the first supplement of its kind; proven 97% effective in double-blind studies to help individuals with the debilitating disease of sickle cell anemia with zero negative side effects. He is also revolutionizing the world of genetic testing by bringing concierge healthcare based on reading more than 1200 genetic codes to those who want to live a limitless life and be their best self, without apologies.

Tele Health Link https://healthontherise.practicebetter.io/#/5d5af77f627d1406903009ef/bookings?s=5de935242a832612a054df2a

David Yankey is a Stanford Grad and 2010 Watkins Award Honoree.  He was drafted in the NFL by the Minnesota Vikings and also played for the Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins.  David is now a commercial real estate director in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Bettina was born in Hungary and came to United Stated through human trafficking in 2012. She was hiding for the first years of her American dream as it quickly became a nightmare. In 2016 she ran away from her traffickers and started to build her life over. 

The United States immigration saved gave her the second chance and provided residency, which was indeed the beginning of her American dream. By today, she is finishing her degree on one of the best colleges in the US, University of Miami. She is sober, healthy, and providing education and recovery programs for survivors and potential victims. She is committed in helping organizations fighting human trafficking and aiding safe houses by walking victims through revival.

Dr. Kate Raynes-Goldie is an igniter of curiosity and sparker of human connection. She's the CEO and Principal Dating Strategist of Lovego, a revolutionary dating methodology for power women. She's also an award winning designer, researcher and Certified Facilitator of Lego Serious Play. She was named one of the 40 under 40 by the Business News in Western Australia and Digital Disruptor Professional Achiever of the Year by the Australian Computer Society. Her mission with Lovego is not just to help women bring real love into their lives, but to also create deep understanding and connection between men and women, in a time when it feels like we are so disconnected.

LaKetia Carrell is the CEO of Parents TrainUp, founding president of the Institute of Personal and Professional Development, and a licensed counselor with over 25 years of therapeutic experience.  She is the administrator of an online Facebook parenting group, Parent of Teens Empowerment Group, and blogger Parentstrainup.com. Laketia has developed a parenting assessment, whatsmyparentingstyle.com, and is a Familial stabilization expert. She has received rave reviews for her work on the 3ABN television program Pumped Up Parents. She gives workshops to both lay and professional organizations. She is committed to strengthening and building families.

LaKetia works with children, adults, families, churches, organizations, and corporations and is proficient in dealing with issues such as ADHD, OCD, depression, sexual abuse, and more. LaKetia has also written many published articles and her book, Becoming.

Joe has been an outpatient, sports medicine physical therapist since 1999 when he graduated with a Masters degree from Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois.  He has been with Athletico Physical Therapy the last 21 years, and in his present role, he is a regional manager and oversees 10 facilities in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Joe resides in Oswego, Illinois with his wife and two sons.  He has a passion for ice hockey being a former collegiate player and referee, and enjoys watching his two sons play the sport.

Carica Williams is a Christian Entrepreneur Coach that help Christianpreneurs face fear and challenges to get unstuck to grow a biz & live their best life. She's also the author of Overcoming the Fear That Has Delayed Your Dreams Workbook: Five Liberating Tips and Simple Activites To Make It Happen.