Meet Pete Overvoorde | Licensed Massage Therapist and School Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pete Overvoorde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pete, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Interestingly, I wasn’t ever thinking of opening my own massage therapy school. What prompted me were a couple (now licensed) therapists who were still in school at the time who I had the honor of unofficially mentoring for a short time. It was during this time that I realized where there was still quite a bit of content I could offer beyond what they were receiving at the respective schools they were attending. Content that I felt was imperative to know before graduation and working on clients. I had been working in the wellness sphere for over 25 years already, most of those years also as a wellness educator, so I felt giving back to the profession in this way should be the next logical step.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Synergy Wellness Academy is the newest massage therapy school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Inspired by my current practice, GR Sports Massage, this school has a specialized focus on Orthopedic assessment, evaluation, and treatment of the most common causes of pain. In addition to this strong focus, an overall wholistic approach is woven thoughout the program, teaching students to look beyond just the body when approaching pain, and to take into account all the ways the mind plays into our perceptions of and responses to pain. This truly sets us apart from other schools in West Michigan, as we feel it gives students the best opportunity for success in working with clients seeking anything from chronic pain relief, to recovery from acute injuries, to stress relief. I’ve been fortunate to meet, and work with, many in the alternative wellness community who take vastly different approaches to health, fitness, and overall wellness. It’s been inspiring to see the amazing positive results they have seen where traditional models have failed. As it continues to grow, Synergy Wellness Academy is dedicated to bringing in approaches that compliment massage therapy in ways that will synergistically bring about positive change in the countless clients our therapists work with on a daily basis. We exist not to set ourselves apart from other schools or attempt to place ourselves on a pedestal, but to teach students to assist with, and encourage healing in whatever ways we can within our scope of practice.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So many great places exist in Grand Rapids area or within a short drive. Here are a few of my go-to spots where I’m never disappointed: To Eat – Real Food Cafe in Alger Heights for breakfast, the Green Well in East Hills for lunch, and sitting on the patio at Rose’s overlooking Reeds Lake in East GR for dinner.
To Drink – sit out in the beer garden at Founder’s in downtown GR and grab a beer from their extensive beer menu.
For an Active Pursuit- mountain biking at Canonsburg Ski Area.
To Laugh – catch a comedy show at Dr. Grin’s in downtown GR at the top of the B.O.B.
To Enjoy the Water – Grand Haven to walk the pier and look out at our freshwater ocean, Lake Michigan.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to Shari Aldrich, Owner of BodyMechanics Institute and my mentor for giving me the tools and encouragement to open my school. Shoutout to my wife, Nora Faber Overvoorde, for the encouragement to always follow my heart and my dreams, and the constant support while working out the myriad details of this new endeavor.

Website: https://synergywellnessacademy.com/

Instagram: @SynergyWellnessAcademy

Facebook: @SynergyWellnessAcademy

Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
WZZM – computer and skeleton WZZM – top view