Hidden Gems: Meet Maricel Galarza-Arroyo of MG Sports Massage +Recovery Lounge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maricel Galarza-Arroyo.

Hi Maricel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Coming from a family of barbers, I always knew I wanted a career where I could help people feel their best. I attended cosmetology school and spent several years working in a salon. While I enjoyed it, I had a passion for learning every service a salon and spa could offer. One thing I consistently heard from my clients was how much they loved the massages I gave during their nail appointments. That inspired me to become more well-rounded and learn massage therapy, which led me to attend the Cleveland Institute of Medical Massage. It was there that I discovered my passion for helping people move better, recover from pain, and improve their quality of life, and I completely fell in love with massage therapy.

In 2015, at just 25 years old, I took a leap of faith and started MG Sports Massage. Early in my career, I had the opportunity to work with professional athletes, which gave me invaluable experience and reinforced the importance of recovery in both performance and everyday life. Over time, I realized that the same level of care athletes receive should be available to everyone—not just elite competitors.

As the business grew, so did my vision. What began as a massage practice has evolved into MG Sports Massage + Recovery Lounge, a space focused on helping people recover, feel better, and stay active through massage therapy and recovery services. Whether someone is training for a marathon, expecting a baby, recovering from an injury, or simply dealing with the stresses of everyday life, our goal is to provide personalized care that helps them live healthier, pain-free lives.

Every step of this journey has reinforced why I started in the first place—to help people live healthier, more active lives. My goal has always been to create a space where people feel welcomed, cared for, and supported, whether they’re recovering from an injury, training for a race, or simply investing in their well-being. I’m excited to continue growing the business and serving our community for years to come.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like any small business owner, I’ve faced my share of challenges. Starting a business is never easy, especially in a service-based industry where you don’t get paid unless you have clients walking through the door. I’m incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement my family gave me in those early years. They believed in me before many others did.

As a first-generation American, I’ve always wanted to make my grandparents proud. They left Cuba and came to the United States without knowing English or anyone here, hoping to build a better life for their children and future generations. Their sacrifices have always motivated me to work hard and never give up, even during the difficult times.

One of my biggest challenges was changing the way people viewed massage therapy. Many people saw it as either a luxury reserved for special occasions or something strictly medical that you only seek out when you’re already in pain. I wanted to help people understand that massage therapy is so much more than that—it’s an important part of maintaining your overall health and wellness.

Working with professional athletes gave me a firsthand look at how much time and effort they invest in taking care of their bodies so they can continue doing what they love. That inspired my mission: to make the same level of recovery and body maintenance available to everyone, not just athletes. Whether you’re a runner, a parent, a golfer, or someone who simply wants to stay active, you deserve to feel your best. I don’t believe pain should stop anyone from doing what they love just because they’re getting older or aren’t a professional athlete. That’s the mindset I’ve worked hard to bring to my business and to every client who walks through our doors.

We’ve been impressed with MG Sports Massage +Recovery Lounge, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MG Sports Massage + Recovery Lounge was built on the belief that recovery isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Our mission is to make the same high-quality recovery services that professional athletes have access to available to everyone, regardless of their age, fitness level, or lifestyle.

We specialize in therapeutic and sports massage, deep tissue massage, prenatal massage, stretching, and recovery services designed to help people move better, feel better, and continue doing the activities they love. While many people assume “sports massage” is only for athletes, that’s one of the biggest misconceptions we work to change. Although sports massage was originally designed for athletes and active individuals, many people hear the word “sports” and overlook the “active individual” part, assuming it’s only for professional or competitive athletes. In reality, sports massage is simply a style of massage that can be customized to support movement, reduce muscle tension, and help people stay active. Whether you’re training for a marathon, working a physically demanding job, sitting at a desk all day, chasing after your kids, or simply trying to maintain an active lifestyle, sports massage can benefit anyone who wants to move and feel their best.

What truly sets us apart is our approach. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all massage. Every session is customized to the individual, combining different techniques based on their goals and what their body needs that day. We also focus on educating our clients, helping them understand how regular massage and recovery can become part of a healthy lifestyle instead of something they only do when they’re in pain.

I’m especially proud of the environment we’ve created. MG Sports Massage + Recovery Lounge isn’t a traditional spa, but it’s not a clinical medical office either. We’ve created a welcoming, comfortable space where clients can relax while receiving high-quality therapeutic care. We want people to walk in feeling cared for and leave feeling better than when they arrived.

More than anything, I want people to know that recovery is for everyone. You don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from massage therapy or recovery services. Our goal is to help every client stay active, reduce everyday aches and muscle tension, and continue enjoying the life they love through personalized care and education.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
here are many ways to work with and support MG Sports Massage + Recovery Lounge. The most important is simply coming in and experiencing what we do. Whether you’re looking for massage therapy, stretching, or one of our recovery services, we’re here to help you move better, feel better, and stay active.

We also love collaborating with local businesses, gyms, fitness studios, sports teams, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and content creators or influencers who are passionate about health, wellness, fitness, and living an active lifestyle. From wellness events and recovery days to educational workshops, social media collaborations, and community partnerships, we’re always looking for opportunities to connect, educate, and inspire others.

One of the best ways to support a small business is by sharing your experience. Referring friends and family, leaving a review, following us on social media, engaging with our content, and sharing your visit online all help us reach more people and continue educating our community about the benefits of massage therapy and recovery. If you’re an influencer or content creator who aligns with our mission, we’d love to explore ways to collaborate and introduce more people to the importance of recovery.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to help as many people as possible continue doing the things they love. If we can be a part of someone’s wellness journey, whether it’s helping them recover from a tough workout, manage everyday muscle tension, or simply take time for themselves, then we’re doing exactly what we set out to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mgsportsmassage.com
• Instagram: @mg_sports_massage
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mgsports
• Other: tik tok @mgsportsmassage