My name is Kirby Ahlstrom, BS, LMT, PTA. I work as an independent massage therapist within the Mountain Time Wellness building.

My health and wellness journey has taken me along several paths. One has allowed me the perspective to pursue another. It officially began during undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. I was always an active participant in sports growing up. After recovery from injury and a successful return to sport, I learned to value physical therapy for allowing me to remain active and competitive in my hobbies. This led me to acquire a BS in Kinesiology in 2012. I fell in love with anatomy. It didn’t take long for me to pursue an AAS in Therapeutic Massage in 2013, a yoga teacher certification in 2014, and most recently, an AAS to become a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant in 2020. Experience in the field of physical therapy has provided a skilled approach to manual therapy and expertise in injury care.

I moved to the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana the winter of 2017. Once a hiker, backpacker, rock climber, now a downhill and cross-country skier, whitewater boater, and all-around outdoorswoman. One of my goals in life is to row my own boat through rapids into my 80s. I, too, like to work hard, play hard in this year-round recreation paradise, and have gained the wisdom of experience to understand recovery is essential to maintain longevity in my outdoor passions. I learn a lot about my own body when I receive massage and bodywork. I invite you to think of this type of work as an investment into a vital piece of gear and an opportunity to get curious about your body.

Why Watershed Wellness? 

I am originally from the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay. I grew up crabbing along the docks, sailing brackish waters, and kayaking amongst tidal, marshy coves. This is the largest estuary in the United States, and “Save the Bay” is a well-known local demand for the preservation of this precious resource. After moving to the Rocky Mountain west, my love for water shifted to snowy slopes, freshwater lakes, and Wild and Scenic rivers. Living in a headwaters state, the importance and vitality of a clean, free-flowing watershed is visibly important to the wellness of my community and beyond. Both watersheds are pivotal to the health of the surrounding lands. It has become a metaphor for how I view the body and health. Wellness is long-term, adapting, and encompasses all dimensions of health. Everything is connected.