Meet the Team

Katie Heylmun

Office Manager/Front Desk

Katie holds the fort down and keeps us all in order here at Ames Spine & Sport.  She is the friendly face at the front desk for check in / check out, scheduling, insurance, and answering the phone.  She is a Texas girl who decided to brave Iowa winters. She moved to Ames to study Meteorology at Iowa State. Being the professional dabbler that she is, she went back and got another Bachelor's in Mathematics with minors in Statistics and Horticulture. Katie joined the Ames Spine & Sport team in February of 2020. Katie lives with her husband Jeff, new baby boy Myles, and their two fur babies – Louey (a black cat) and Ziggy (a mini/toy Aussie). She enjoys reading, playing soccer, movie nights, and trying different ice cream shops.


Kristen Rapp

Licensed Massage Therapist

Kristen was born and raised in Fort Dodge, and moved to Ames seeking new opportunities in 2020. Kristen attended PCI Academy in Ames where she completed her massage education in 2021. Kristen has been with Ames Spine and Sport since September of 2021.

Growing up as a dancer, and being very active, she soon realized the toll it took on one's body, and wanted to understand the structure and movement of the body to become more in tune. She is always trying to help other individuals feel their best, and she enjoys helping clients understand their bodies. As a LMT, when she learns new modalities/techniques, she enjoys implementing these on her clients, when needed, to help ease pain and/or to promote relaxation. 

While not at work, Kristen enjoys being around friends and family, loving her 2 cats (Shania and Lucy), listening to music, going on walks, and practicing piano. 

Additional Certifications and Trainings:

  • Swedish massage
  • Hot stones
  • Cupping
  • Prenatal Massage
  • Sports Massage (training in progress!)



Mychal Sheridan

Licensed Massage Therapist

Additional Certifications and Trainings:

  • Therapeutic Massage
  • Myofascial Release
  • Trigger Point Therapy
  • Sports Massage
  • Rocking/Pulsing



Brandie Sperry

Licensed Massage Therapist

My name is Brandie Sperry and I was raised in the small town of Coon Rapids in western Iowa. I graduated from Body Wisdom in Urbandale in December of 2013 and started my career as an LMT in March of 2014. Throughout my massage journey, I have worked in Des Moines, as well as maintained a private practice in my hometown, assisting the community that raised me and made me the person I am today.

Growing up in a family plagued with severe migraines, as well as having a mother with Multiple Sclerosis, I could only dream of being able to help and ease the long-term pain of those closest to me. Being fascinated with human anatomy and physiology, along with the aforementioned motives, I ultimately decided to pursue a career in massage therapy, not only to help those closest to me, but anyone who suffers from chronic pain similar to what I see my family going through on a daily basis. Along with this, I also enjoy demonstrating at-home techniques that clients may use to manage chronic pain, as well as repetitive movements to alleviate the aches and discomforts of the working world.

When I take a break for free time, you can usually find me snuggled up with my fabulous feline, Trixie, and my nose glued in the next book series I am obsessed with. You can also catch me spending time with my family, shopping, and conducting an all-day cook-a-thon in my kitchen.

Certifications and Trainings

  • Hot and cold stone therapy
  • Trigger point therapy
  • Deep tissue massage
  • Swedish massage
  • Cupping