meet the team

Sara Whipp — Owner & Founder

With 14 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist, I’ve devoted my career to helping people feel better, move better, and live with less pain. I trained at the Cortiva Institute shortly after they acquired The Desert Institute of Healing Arts, learning from some of the best in the industry—including deep tissue legend Ginger Castle, who forever shaped my approach to bodywork.

In 2018, I launched my own massage practice, steadily growing year after year. In 2024, I welcomed Jessica to the team and personally mentored her for a full year to ensure every client she touches receives the same high standard of care.

Melt Deep Tissue Massage was born from a gap I saw in the industry: people searching for skilled deep tissue work often struggled to find it. My solution? Hire and train the best of the best, so clients can trust they’re in expert hands every time.

Over the years, I’ve studied many modalities, but deep tissue will always be my first love. I’m passionate about natural healing and believe in activating and supporting the body’s innate capacity for self-healing. Nothing makes me happier than hearing a client say their chronic back pain disappeared after just a few sessions, or that their mobility has improved enough to elevate their golf game.

Outside the treatment room, I’m an avid reader, an enthusiastic home chef, and I share my life with my boyfriend and our French Bulldog, Hogan.

At my core, I’m a romantic—not just about love, but about life. I believe in the power of intention, presence, and skill, paired with the grit and dedication it takes to create lasting change.

Jessica Montgomery — Massage Therapist

Jessica Montgomery is a licensed massage therapist trained at the National Holistic Institute in Studio City, Los Angeles, California. She began her career three years ago at the flagship Squeeze franchise location where she completed her internship, before relocating to Arizona and joining Sara at MELT, where she continues to provide exceptional care.

Specializing in deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and Swedish massage, Jessica brings an intuitive, therapeutic, and nurturing approach to her sessions. Her work is deeply client-centered, with the goal of addressing the root cause of pain or discomfort. Sessions often flow from gentle myofascial release into focused deep tissue work, finishing with soothing, restorative techniques that leave clients feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and truly relieved.

Jessica’s inspiration comes from a genuine love of taking care of people and helping them find relief from pain and stress. Her favorite moments are when clients leave the table expressing heartfelt gratitude and noticeable improvement—moments she considers a blessing to be part of.

Outside of the treatment room, Jessica finds joy in spending time outdoors—whether hiking, relaxing at the park, or taking a weekend trip to the beach. She also enjoys home organization and decluttering, is currently learning Spanish, and loves to unwind with skincare rituals, freshening her home space, or getting lost in a good book.

Her guiding philosophy is best summed up by Maya Angelou’s words: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did; but people will never forget how you made them feel.”