Our Team

Cal Cates (they/them)

Executive Director

What motivates you to come to work everyday?

So many things! The incredible people at Healwell. The likelihood of good trouble. The sense that we’re creating something important that is changing the lives of real people from massage therapists to patients to care providers.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Thinking about how massage therapists fit into this landscape of healthcare that doesn’t really consider us…and then how to support a shift in perspective toward that inclusion.

What is your favorite holiday?

Meh. I’m not so into holidays, but I do love pecan pie, so there’s that.

Tacos or pizza?

Tacos. Obviously.

If you could be any animal, what would you be?

I would be an otter. If I could comfortably store snacks in my armpits (like otters do), I’d be golden. Plus they snuggle and hold hands a lot. And man… otters know how to play!!

Cal is Healwell's founder and Executive Director. They have been a massage therapist since 2005 and an advocate for a better world since they lobbied for a National Working Horses Day in 3rd grade.

Over the course of their career, Cal has become an award-winning writer, published researcher, and international speaker. They have trained thousands of healthcare providers in skills of resiliency, self-awareness, communication, and forgiveness.

Cal has dedicated their career to advocacy in healthcare, massage therapy as social justice, and to revolutionizing education for healthcare providers. They will dance at any party anywhere.

Contact Us:

4201 Wilson Blvd. #110-341

Arlington, VA 22203

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