Brian was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education from Northern Michigan University. In 1997, he started the sports medicine program at Keewenaw Memorial Rehab and Fitness in Laurium, Michigan. In the fall of 1997, he returned to Marquette to pursue a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and work at Marquette General Hospital’s Sports Rehab department where he spent 8 years developing their sports performance program. In 2005, Brian was then recruited by Bell Hospital to create their Sports Medicine program. In 2006, he became co-owner of Marquette Orthopedic & Sports Therapy(MOST), where he ran the human performance component of the company which later became Advantedge Training. In 2012, he was hired by Marquette General Health System as the Director of Health and Human Performance where he helped create a comprehensive hospital employee wellness program.  Currently, he co-owns Synergy Fitness. He is licensed by the State of Michigan as an Athletic Trainer (AT) and is a board-certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Brian has more than 20 years of experience in sports medicine, corporate wellness/fitness, performance enhancement and personal training. As a team player dedicated to both his work and his two children, Brian has built a solid reputation as a leader in sports medicine, corporate wellness, fitness, and performance training.

Amanda Thompson is a 2011 graduate of Northern Michigan University with a degree in Athletic Training, becoming board certified and licensed in the state of Michigan in 2012. She obtained her personal training certification through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in January 2011 and has been working as a personal trainer ever since. Amanda became a Certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner in 2016 and utilizes this knowledge on a weekly basis.  Amanda also attends the annual Great Lakes Athletic Training Conference, allowing her to stay on the cutting edge in her field.

Amanda enjoys helping people of all ages and ability levels. Having a background in sports medicine allows her to understand and adapt to any orthopedic injury, illness, surgery, condition, or limitation a person may have. She has many years of experience in this field, helping people with goals ranging from fall prevention to heavy weightlifting. She focuses her training programs on gaining mobility and strength, correcting muscle imbalances, increasing range of motion, and teaching proper body mechanics. Amanda has a true passion for encouraging and motivating individuals to live a healthier, stronger, and active lifestyle!

Kari Getschow graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training in 2011. As a Licensed Athletic Trainer at Synergy, she is focused on endurance training and helping young adults and athletes safely push themselves to become healthier and reach higher levels of competition.  She also provides medical coverage for events in the Superior Dome and NMU Club sports.

Kari enjoys lifting in the winter to keep her joints healthy and gain strength for her competitive season.  In 2018, she completed the Marji Gesick 50-mile trail run, finishing in third place.  She also competes in Olympic triathlons, marathons, half marathons and other fun endurance races. In her free time, she likes to hike and bike with her husband and two young girls.

Luke grew up in Manistee Michigan and came to Northern Michigan University to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. He earned his Master’s in Exercise Science in May of 2014.

Luke is passionate about helping people through exercise and rehabilitation and has enjoyed this while being at Synergy.

For fun, Luke can be seen snorkeling or scuba diving in Lake Superior, or hiking, camping and working on cars while not in the lake. Even though Luke grew up downstate, he is proud to be a diehard Packer fan!

Isaac was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, graduating from Gwinn High School in 2010. In 2014 he earned a Bachelors of Science from Northern Michigan University, majoring in Biology/Physiology with a pre-med emphasis. Upon finishing his undergraduate degree, he shifted his focus from pre-medical studies to exercise science, deciding to further his education with a Master’s degree. While pursuing his degree at Northern Michigan University, Isaac became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Condition Association (NSCA) and began his career as a personal trainer. After finishing his degree in 2016, Isaac moved to Phoenix Arizona where he worked as a trainer for several gyms, started his own online nutrition and training coaching business, and began competing in natural bodybuilding. In April of 2017 he earned the title of professional natural bodybuilder from the Organization of Competitive Bodies (OCB).

Isaac is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and become better versions of themselves through science-based exercise, nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle changes. He believes that knowledge is truly empowering and he loves to educate his clients, arming them with what they need to be successful for life, not just their time training with him. Isaac specializes in weight loss, muscle building, physique enhancement, strength development, and athletic performance, but loves to work with a wide range of clientele with an array of specific goals.

MARY ANN MELENDEZ, LMT, ACE

Mary Ann became a Licensed Massage Therapist in May of 2017 with a goal to work in a fitness facility.  She then became a Certified Personal Trainer through the American Council of Exercise.  She hopes to continue her education and has applied to enter the Athletic Training program at Northern Michigan University, while researching several health and fitness related certifications. Mary Ann loves being able to help others achieve their health and wellness goals, enjoys helping athletes recover with sports massages and post injury massages.

Mary Ann is no stranger to the fitness world.  She participates in Tae Kwon Do, running events, and even bikini fitness competitions. When she’s not chasing her young daughter, she volunteers at the local shelter.

HOLLY ETTENHOFER, BS, AT, ATC

Holly became a licensed and certified Athletic Trainer in the fall of 2017 and attends the Great Lakes Athletic Training Conference every year.  She provides athletic training coverage at Superior dome events and NMU club sports and enjoys supporting athletes through injury diagnoses and prevention.

Born and raised in the UP, Holly loves hiking and traveling.

JOHN LAWLESS, LMT

John graduated from the Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy in Denver, CO in 2013 and has been licensed and practicing in Michigan ever since. He has continuing education in hot-stone massage and craniosacral therapy. John is currently a student at Northern Michigan University, attending for a degree in Earth Science where he hopes to gain knowledge that will help him to pursue his dreams of sustainable living.