Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Preyer.
Hi Stephen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I originally planned to become a personal trainer. I’ve always been drawn to exercise science, anatomy, and overall wellness. I was staying very active—competing in the Highland Games and getting into bodybuilding.
With these interests, I figured I would look into becoming a personal trainer. So in 2016, I decided to tour Wellsprings School of Allied Health to learn more about their program. While touring, I noticed students learning massage therapy, which quickly piqued my interest. I discovered I could specialize in sports massage therapy and collaborate with professional athletes. I wanted to look into this further when I had an accident that caused me to separate my shoulder. Disheartened that the surgery that was suggested to me wasn’t going to solve the problem, and would limit my mobility, I decided to see alternative forms of care.
Through a combination of physical and massage therapy, I healed my shoulder and regained my full range of motion.
This really inspired me to pursue massage therapy, helping not only professional athletes but anyone dealing with an injury who needs care that addresses their specific issues and supports their recovery.
Now, my wife, Crystal, and I own Armored Massage in Brookside, specializing in sports massage therapy. Our mission is to support those dealing with discomfort and help them recover better. We offer a range of recovery-focused services, including cupping, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, and assisted stretching. Our techniques are ideal for athletes, active individuals, and anyone seeking relief from injuries, chronic pain, or mobility issues.
Unlike other studios, we’re not a spa. We are committed to being part of the recovery process. We trade hot stones for cupping and energy work for myofascial release. While we value spas for their relaxation services, our focus remains on recovery.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The three most difficult aspects of starting Armored Massage have been location, stereotypes, and patience.
When I started Armored Massage, I was working out of a renovated backroom in my house in Grandview. It was great for a while, but scaling was hard.
Additionally, people are more familiar with a massage therapist being a woman. And both men and women feel this way. This is why building trust in the community is so important to us. We are grateful for all our 5-star reviews, client referrals, and the professional sports teams that call us to build our credibility.
Lastly, learning that growing a business takes time, and always more time than I think or want. I have a dream of building a full recovery center with workout equipment, physical therapists, chiropractors, and to be able to demo with clients the recovery exercises they need to truly get better. But dreams like that don’t happen overnight. However, we have amazing clients and are growing each month, so we are going to keep working toward that goal.
As you know, we’re big fans of Armored Massage. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
What we are known for and specialize in:
What we want everyone to know is that Armored Massage is focused on recovery. The techniques we use fall under the Sports Massage category, but you don’t need to be a professional athlete to get a sports massage. We love working with professional athletes, but we are also here for those suffering with chronic pain, posture issues, pre/post surgery, and injury-related issues.
What sets us apart:
We are not a spa. That doesn’t mean we only do deep pressure – most people don’t realize that you can get great results using light pressure too – but if you’re looking for energy work, riki, mud masks, sugar scrubs with a relaxing massage next to a fountain, we aren’t the massage studio you’re currently looking for.
What we want people to know:
We also want people to know that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any sexual harassment. We expect our clients to treat our massage therapists with the utmost respect, and we promise to offer only the most professional service in return. If our therapist feels uncomfortable at any point, the session is terminated immediately, and the client is asked to leave and will be black listed from our studio. We also send a message to other massage therapists in the area warning them about the person’s behavior. We hold our reputation very seriously, and want to protect our community.
With that, we like to educate that the term “masseuse” is no longer appropriate and can be quite offensive. We are highly skilled professionals, and ask to be called Massage Therapists.
On a different note, we’d also like people to know that we don’t have any add-on fees. If you need cupping, Gua Sha (scraping), or other tools to improve your session, we will provide them at no extra cost. Our goal is to help you recover, not upcharge.
A popular question we get is whether or not clients need to undress. We tell clients to undress to their comfort level. Most go down to their underwear, as the client will always be draped in clean sheets. But for some, shorts and a t-shirt/sports bra are more comfortable. It’s completely up to the client’s preference.
Qualifications:
All our massage therapists hold state licenses to practice. We also have certifications for corrective exercise, Kinesiology tape (KT Tape), and myofascial release. It is also required that massage therapists are required to learn by continuing education courses to maintain their license, so we are always learning best practices and improvements to offer our clients the best care.
Reviews:
We are very proud of our 5-star ratings on Google Reviews. Here are a few:
“Stephen is an exceptional massage therapist with a true gift for therapeutic work. He has a remarkable ability to adapt his technique for all clients. He has an array of tools & techniques that he used during my services to help alleviate & restore my body. I appreciated how thoroughly he assessed my needs and explained what he was doing throughout the sessions, making the entire experience both effective and reassuring. Stephen showed me different stretches & exercises for my needed relief after the session too. Armored Massage is in a centralized location that’s easy to access, welcoming, and set up in a way that immediately puts me at ease. Overall, Stephen offers a top-tier therapeutic experience, and I highly recommend him to anyone seeking professional, personalized care.” – Torran S.
“I booked the massage to help with pain in my right hip and quads. Stephen took time to listen to my concerns and then tailored the massage to meet my needs. It has been two days since the massage, and the pain has greatly decreased. He also took the time to demonstrate stretches that will help with my healing. He was professional and kind.” – Damon P.
“As the owner of Vital Six Physical Therapy & Performance and a practicing physical therapist of over 10 years, I’m very selective about who I trust with bodywork—not just for myself, but also for the patients and athletes I care for. I can say without hesitation that Armored Massage sets the standard when it comes to skill, professionalism, and true therapeutic impact.
The attention to detail in assessment, the ability to tailor each session to the individual, and the combination of strength, precision, and recovery-focused techniques go far beyond what you’ll find at most massage practices. They don’t just “do massage”—they restore movement, relieve stress, and accelerate recovery.
I’ve personally experienced the difference, and I’ve seen how beneficial their work can be alongside physical therapy for pain relief, mobility, and long-term performance. If you’re serious about taking care of your body—whether for everyday health, post-injury recovery, or athletic performance—Armored Massage is an invaluable partner.
Highly recommend.” —Jason Gearhart, PT, DPT, CSCS, ABPTRFE Fellow Owner | Vital Six Physical Therapy & Performance
What we’re proud of:
There is so much to be proud of when growing a business with your spouse! Each client, referral, and success story really helps us feel like we are making a difference in the community and are encouraged to keep growing and expanding.
The cherry on top is when we get a call from a professional sports team coming to Kansas City that wants us to help their athletes be game-day ready. So far, the professional athletes we have worked with are:
* USA Women’s Rugby Eagles
* Australia Women’s Rugby Walaroos
* New Zealand Women’s Rugby Black Ferns
* Stanford Women’s Soccer
* Kansas City Rugby Blues
* West Coast Swing Dance Championships
* Along with individual athletes in a variety of sports
What were you like growing up?
I was born and raised here in Kansas City with my mom, dad, and 3 brothers.
Pricing:
- 60 minutes – $100
- 90 minutes – $140
- 120 minutes – $160
- If you’re not sure which time is best frame is best for you, check out our blog post: https://www.armoredmassage.com/post/what-is-the-difference-between-a-60-minute-and-a-90-minute-massage
Contact Info:
- Website: https://armoredmassage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armoredmassage/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmoredMassage
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/armored-massage
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Armoredmassage
