Verona & Vivian Meyers

In December of 1994, Vivian Meyers and her daughter Verona graduated from the Salt Lake City campus of the Utah College of Massage Therapy. Throughout the educational process, both Vivian and Verona focused their efforts on not only a specific avenue, but a specific modality. They both felt that in order to be more effective they should specialize their talents. The route they decided to take was Sports Massage. "I remember so many people telling us that we couldn’t do it, and that it was too hard to get into the ‘sports massage world’… We decided not to listen and basically, just went and did it," stated Vivian.

Upon graduation, Vivian and Verona decided that they would need to learn as much as they possible could regarding athletes, sports injury and how massage and related bodywork could not only alleviate pain, but actually improve an athlete’s performance. The two began working out of the Gold’ Gym in Provo, Utah with Keith Clearwater, building their skills and confidence.

During this period, the two women contacted George Curtis, Head Trainer of the Brigham Young University (BYU) Athletic Program. They offered their services on a volunteer basis, hoping to help and learn from the trainers and athletes. George consented and Vivian and Verona began diligently working in the training room every Tuesday and Thursday. "The very first athlete I worked on was one of BYU’s star football players, Eddie Sampson. He was having trouble with his back and nothing any of the trainers did seemed to get results. It was determined [by the trainers] that he should next try chiropractic treatment, however I offered to work on him and after just two sessions it was no longer necessary for Eddie to see the chiropractor," recalled Vivian.

While working in the training room one afternoon, Vivian became aware that she was being closely watched by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Steve Young. He had played football at BYU years before and would frequent the training room during the "off season," receiving treatment from the trainers. Fascinated with the massage Vivian was giving to another athlete, Steve approached Vivian and asked if he too could receive a massage. After having been worked on by Vivian, Steve exclaimed, "Wow, you are my therapist!" Both Vivian and Verona began working on Steve Young during the "off season," often twice a week.

In April of 1999, both Vivian and Verona interviewed for positions as massage therapists for the new spa at the Resort at Summerlin, which was under construction in Las Vegas, Nevada. Having had the training from UCMT combined with the extensive work with athletes, both Vivian and Verona easily and successfully interviewed and landed jobs at the Summerlin.

Both Vivian and Verona have also worked on PGA golfers Jack Nicklaus and Jonny Miller among others. Jack Nicklaus was so impressed with the work of Vivian and Verona that he invited them to Utah to work with him during the Thanksgiving Point’s Championship Challenge that he competed in during the spring of 1999. "It was great to return to Utah, we felt privileged that Jack would call and invite us… We look forward to working with [Jack Nicklaus] when the PGA tour stops at the Summerlin in Las Vegas."