Today we’d like to introduce you to Hillarie Christley.
Hi Hillarie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into lymphatic drainage therapy started in a way I never saw coming. I was working full-time in rehab as an occupational therapist when I met a physical therapist, Mike Bond, who taught a Certified Lymphedema Therapist course. In 2019, he offered me a free spot in his class. I didn’t know much about the lymphatic system at the time . But a rule I live by is never turn down free education.
Saying “yes” rerouted my entire career.
As I learned manual lymphatic drainage during the course something clicked. It isn’t just a technique for lymphedema, it is a missing link in patient care. I saw its potential positive impact everywhere: in post-surgical recovery, autoimmune flares, cancer healing, pregnancy swelling, postpartum restoration, and for anyone whose body is overwhelmed by inflammation or is in need of balance. It felt like I had stumbled into a world of healing that people desperately need but rarely have access to.
In 2021, I opened Lymphatic Wellness LLC and did lymphatic drainage as a side-hustle while still working my full-time OT job at Legacy Village Rehabilitation in Taylorsville.
By August 2022, the pull to create something more personal, more specialized, and more focused on true healing became impossible to ignore. So I quit my full time job, took the leap to dedicate my time and energy full time to build my business.
Life wasted no time testing my commitment.
Immediately after I quite my job, the one physician who had consistently referred patients to me suddenly stopped sending referrals.
Overnight, I was hustling between per diem shifts at my old rehab job, driving clinic to clinic across the Wasatch Front to introduce myself to providers, educate them on lymphatic work, and advocate what it could do for their patients. It was humbling, gritty, and incredibly worth it.
Slowly, one genuine connection at a time, my client base started to regrow.
Today, Lymphatic Wellness primarily serves post-operative clients, but we see anyone seeking to support the body’s natural healing systems. I am most passionate about helping people feel safe in their bodies again- to find relief, accelerate healing, and feel whole.
My business continues to grow, and that’s the most exciting part. I’ve expanded services, brought on another therapist, Ashley Terry, to help me support our community. We continue building a practice rooted in compassion, evidence-based care, and whole-person healing.
I remain committed to continual learning. I’ve completed multiple advanced trainings in lymphatic drainage and related modalities, because being at the forefront of best practices and advanced care means we can offer our clients unparalleled care and results.
Outside of my work, I recently married a wonderful man, Andrew, and became a stepmom to four incredible kids.
I feel gratitude for this new chapter with my family that is teaching me balance, patience, and a deeper kind of compassion- all of which naturally shapes the way I care for my clients and run my practice with Ashley.
Looking back, my path has been anything but linear. It’s been full of unexpected opportunities, risks, grit, and growth. But every step- especially the hard ones- have led me to where I am now. We are building something meaningful, needed, and rooted deeply in healing.
And truly, I know this is just the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lymphaticwellness.co
- Instagram: lymphaticwellnessbyhillarie
