Courage massage therapist Amanda Grace Keller helps work out the kinks - North Carolina Courage

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The North Carolina Courage were in a tight race for the 2022 post-season down to the very last day. With early-season match postponements, the Courage had to fit six matches into their final 20 days of the regular season. With the physical toll of so many matches, plus travel and training, one piece of the athletes’ day-to-day becomes more and more vital — recovery.

That’s where Amanda Grace Keller, the team’s massage therapist, comes in.

Keller has been part of the Courage’s medical staff as the official team massage therapist since 2019, also working with North Carolina FC from 2019 to 2020. Outside our locker room, the licensed massage and bodywork therapist is the owner of Sacred Space Healing NC, where she has offered specialized services in medical massage therapy and sports massage therapy since 2005.

Receiving her training and degree at the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy and Oriental Medicine in New York in 1997, Keller learned sports massage from one of the best in the business — Russ Beasley, who has been the lead massage therapist of the U.S Open for the last 20+ years.

“I had the opportunity to work on athletes, including professional dancers from New York City Ballet and Alvin Ailey dance company,” Keller said. “I studied ballet and pointe for 18 years. It allowed me to train my body to push through pain to do incredible things, and it established a body/mind connection at an early age.”

The passion she held for maintaining a healthy balance of Eastern and Western philosophies of healing led Keller to open her first practice in NYC. Shortly after, her sports career began.

“In 1999, I had the opportunity to be the massage therapist for the Yankees farm team, the Catskill Cougars, owned by Bill Murray,” Keller said. “It was through that opportunity that I gained experience working with members of the Australian Olympic baseball team. I also worked with Olympic decathletes, marathon runners, and professional hockey players. I have worked with professional athletes from all corners: golf, baseball, football, hockey, boxing, MMA, tennis, track and field, and of course, soccer.”

How does your work fit into the team’s routine?

“My work is centered around ‘recovery flushes’ post practice and game day, as well as longer, 60- or 90-minute sessions to really delve deeper into resolving problematic areas or aid in injury recovery as well as injury prevention. It also gives me the opportunity to be an athlete’s ‘mirror’ in the sense that, the longer I work with them, the more I get to ‘know and understand’ their body and I’m able to alert them of areas that may feel stressed, over worked or injured. Most athletes are hyper tuned in to their body but an extra set of eyes or hands or perspective can be helpful.”

How important is the recovery aspect for an athlete?

“I believe recovery work is key to career longevity. I also believe prevention is the key to career longevity! The more pliable we are, the more we can push our body. Massage therapy increases circulation, aids in lymphatic drainage, separates adhesions, and increases range of motion as well as pliability. Pliability is so important to athletic success that NFL quarterback Tom Brady has written a book about it!

I love working with athletes because it allows me to educate myself on a sport or position. I watch the athlete intently and pay attention to their movements and what muscles are innervated. I go through their motions to feel in my own body, what muscles are stressed or used. I love to tailor my sessions to my athletes! I love to challenge myself to learn more, so that I can provide more. I also am educated in pathology, physiology and injuries. I’m fascinated by the medical aspect and stay up to date on injury treatment and prevention.”

What’s the most surprising thing about being around a professional women’s sports team?

“I think one of the most striking things about working with the Courage is their cohesiveness. They are a family unit. They live and breathe this chosen experience and their dedication to their craft is unmatched. I’m astounded at their ability to excel as individuals all the while functioning as a seamless unit. The heart with which these women play is as incredible as their humility. I have given my own heart to this team and find myself reveling in their success and lamenting the challenges they face. These women have such fortitude, skill, class and heart! It’s amazing to watch and experience. They are deserving of great things, and I’m honored to help in my small way.”

What our players have to say about Amanda Grace:

“Amanda Grace Keller is an excellent massage therapist. She really cares for how us athletes feel throughout the entire season, and massively helped our bodies recover quicker and better by her fantastic work. I love going to see her after a heavy workload as her massages are amazing!” -Denise O’Sullivan, Midfielder

“I love Amanda because she just wants to help in any way she can. She’s highly experienced in what she does and she’s overall a huge supporter of the team and players. She always makes time for us.” -Casey Murphy, Goalkeeper

“Amanda kept my body strong and healthy throughout the Courage season. Her knowledge of sports massage techniques and her kind personality made her one of my favorite therapists to work with.” -Amy Rodriguez, Former Courage Player