Meet the Team at Northern Life Wellness
Our dynamic team of natural healthcare practitioners looks forward to helping you elevate your health.
We’d like you to get to know them better!
Dr. Danny Heim | Chiropractor | Owner
Dr. Danny Heim’s passion for health, movement, and performance started early—on the baseball field. As a collegiate pitcher, he developed a deep appreciation for how the body moves, performs, and recovers under physical demand. That firsthand athletic experience sparked his interest in biomechanics and injury prevention and ultimately led him into healthcare.
Dr. Heim began his academic journey at Wabash Valley College, earning his Associate of Science degree in 2013. He then attended Maryville University, where he completed his Bachelor of Science degree with a pre-medicine focus in 2015. In 2019, he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University.
With over six years of clinical experience, Dr. Heim takes a practical, movement-based approach to care. By combining his athletic background with a strong understanding of biomechanics, he helps patients reduce pain, improve function, and get back to doing what they love. While he has a special passion for working with athletes and active individuals, he truly enjoys caring for patients of all ages and activity levels.
When he’s not in the clinic, Dr. Heim stays active, follows sports, and loves spending time outdoors—especially fishing. He’s married to his wife, Amy, and together they share life with their beloved fur babies.
Dr. Jeffrey Danielson | Chiropractor | Founder
Dr. Jeff hails from Marshall, MN, located in the southwestern part of the state. An athlete, he grew up an avid racquetball player and lettered in golf. He also enjoyed singing in a small ensemble called the Roaring Twenties, and performed in many theater productions and musicals. After high school, Dr. Jeff began his collegiate career at Bethel University in St. Paul, where he majored in Biology, and was on the varsity Men’s Volleyball team.
Moving Forward
After two years, Dr. Jeff transferred to UCLA to continue his biology degree. At UCLA, he captained the Water Ski Team for two years and was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
After graduation, Dr. Jeff earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles, while earning the distinction of California Chiropractic Student of the Year in 1995. He took an associate doctor position at the Chiropractic Offices of Santa Monica, caring for celebrities like Gregory Hines and Ted Danson, along with many high-level professional athletes.
Back to Where It All Began
Wanting to return to his roots, Dr. Jeff accepted a staff doctor position at a clinic in Burnsville, MN. After 18 months, he established Northern Life Wellness in February 1999, and now serves as the President and Clinic Director. Dr. Jeff also specializes in difficult neurological cases, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, autism, fibromyalgia, and the complex injuries sustained in auto accidents. He has also been voted one of the Top Rated Chiropractors in Burnsville, MN.
Other Endeavors
Dr. Jeff also owns Body Kneads Massage, Minnesota’s finest therapeutic massage company. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Palmer University in Davenport, IA, and Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. He’s a regular guest speaker at numerous wellness organizations, graduate courses, and business management companies.
His newest venture is the creation of “The Power of PIF,” a company focused on “Paying It Forward”. Dr. Jeff trains young doctors and invests in local clinics that, with the help of his newly trained doctors, will help shape the profession far into the future.
Family First
Dr. Jeff’s crowning achievement, however, is being married to his beautiful wife Dyonne, whom he met when he was 12 years old. They have three kids together—Maddy, Cooper, and Sydney. They reside in Prior Lake, MN, and enjoy the many athletic and school activities their kids participate in, and serving their community church.
Dr. Jeff’s mission has always been to serve God by serving people, whether through their family’s activities, or through the art and science of chiropractic. His desire is that those reading this would connect with the hope that can be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Dr. Brady Rose | Chiropractor
Dr. Brady Rose is passionate about helping patients move better, feel better, and continue doing what they love. He works with a wide variety of patients and enjoys the challenge of tailoring care to each individual, whether they’re recovering from an injury or focused on long-term wellness.
His approach to care is hands-on, personalized, and rooted in education, taking the time to help patients understand what’s going on in their body and why, while emphasizing consistency and wellness-based care as the ultimate goal. Known for his genuine and down-to-earth style, Dr. Brady builds real connections with his patients by adapting his techniques to their individual needs and comfort levels, creating an authentic environment where they feel heard, supported, and confident, working alongside them and recognizing that everyone is on their own unique health journey.
Throughout his training and clinical experience, Dr. Brady has worked with a diverse patient population, including those recovering from auto accidents and workplace injuries, as well as individuals seeking corrective care, rehabilitation, and ongoing wellness support. His ultimate goal for every patient is to help them progress toward maintenance care, where they can continue living actively with no limitations. He finds it especially rewarding to see patients improve not just physically, but mentally, knowing even small improvements can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Originally from De Pere, Wisconsin, Dr. Brady grew up staying active through sports, which helped shape his path into the health field. Now transplanted to the Twin Cities, outside of clinic Dr. Brady loves and values every second of family time with his wife Courtney, their son Warner, and dog Howard, and will always have time to talk Packer football with anyone.
Dr. Ivy Karels | Chiropractor
Dr. Ivy Karels is passionate about helping people feel their best and enjoy life to the fullest. She provides personalized, patient-centered chiropractic care with a special focus on prenatal, pediatric, and athletic populations—supporting patients through every stage, from pregnancy and early childhood to staying active and performing at their peak.
She’s known for her caring, easygoing approach and takes the time to truly listen so each patient feels comfortable, understood, and confident in their care. Dr. Ivy earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2023. She is certified in the Webster Technique, allowing her to provide specialized care for pregnant patients, and is also Graston certified. She believes that healing works best as a team effort and loves partnering with her patients to help them move better, feel better, and get back to doing what they love.
At the heart of her approach is a focus on wellness and maintenance-based care. Rather than only addressing pain when it arises, Dr. Ivy works with patients to support long-term health, prevent future issues, and keep their bodies functioning at their best.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Ivy enjoys expressing her creative side through artistic projects, staying active in recreational sports, fishing, and has recently taken up golf—always embracing new challenges with the same energy she brings to patient care.
Carol Hunt | Physical Therapist
Her whole life, Carol wanted to be part of people’s healing journey. Her path to physical therapy started at Dordt University in IA, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science.
During her junior year at Dordt, Carol had ACL reconstruction, and experienced firsthand the amazing work physical therapy can do to help patients overcome the barriers preventing them from living their lives to the fullest. Confident she’d found her calling, Carol earned her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver.
Carol’s family and career have taken her all over the country, living in various states like Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and even New Zealand! We are so blessed to now have her call Minnesota home, as she works alongside our patients in the physical therapy bay.
Carol is also a proud home school mom and Certified Health Coach! She and her husband, Michael, live in Savage with their four teenagers, Joanna, Jaben, Jocelyn, and Josiah, and three pets, Harry the Gecko, GiGi the Rabbit, and Eska the snow-obsessed Malamute Husky. Whether it be singing, dancing, or playing one of their many instruments, you can usually find the Hunts preparing for a musical or spending their time outdoors together!
Amy Sulzbach-Towle | Physical Therapist Assistant
With a passion for anatomy and a heart dedicated to helping others thrive, Amy is not your average Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) – she’s a wellness wizard on a mission to unlock her patients’ full potential.
Amy’s journey to becoming a PTA started at The College of St. Catherine, where she earned her Physical Therapist Assistant license and Occupational Science degree. Armed with knowledge and a compassionate spirit, Amy dives deep to uncover the root causes hindering her patients’ health goals, crafting personalized plans to conquer obstacles and pave the way to a life of wellness.
With over three decades of experience under her belt, Amy is a seasoned pro in the world of physical therapy, having worked with a diverse range of patients in settings spanning from transitional care and rehabilitation to home care and wellness.
Beyond the clinic, Amy and her wife, Kathy, are the proud parents of four adult children. As recent members of the empty nester club, they share their home in Rosemount with their adorable orange tabby, Calvin. When off duty, Amy can be found indulging in her myriad of hobbies. From cultivating fresh fruits and veggies in her garden to whipping up new recipes, she is a culinary maestro.
But don’t be fooled by her nurturing nature – Amy has a competitive streak that shines through in her impressive track record at National BroomBall Championships and her knack for dominating pumpkin carving contests. Whether she’s sculpting gourds or sculpting lives, Amy approaches everything she does with a winning spirit and a warm smile that lights up the room.
Erika Bordwell | Massage Therapist
Growing up in various states across the Midwest, Erika suffered with chronic neck and back pain and migraines. It wasn’t until her own experience with massage therapy and chiropractic that Erika finally found relief, so she could enjoy fulfilling her passions. It was through her therapeutic experience with massage that she decided to pursue her career in massage in Iowa City at East-West School of Integrative Healing Arts.
Since earning her Massage Therapy degree in 2017, Erika has loved the opportunity to work with people holistically, giving individualized care that fits their specific needs, whether they suffer from chronic pain or need some much-needed relaxation. While Erika believes in treating the whole person to offer the best therapeutic experience based on their needs, some of the most common massage techniques she offers are Swedish, prenatal, trigger point, sports, and deep tissue.
Erika and her wife, Kenzie, live in Bloomington with their rescue pup, Sophie, and three cats—Milo, Simba, and Nala. In her free time, you can find Erika walking around one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, at a local coffee shop, or catching up on her reading list. Schedule a massage with Erika, today!
Jennesse Perry | Massage Therapist
For over 13 years, Jennesse has devoted herself to the art of therapeutic massage, drawing inspiration from a family immersed in various skin and body therapies. Through her own experiences and observing the impact of bodywork on others, she developed a deep appreciation for the body’s innate ability to heal. This led Jennesse to pursue a degree from the International School of Massage Therapy in Atlanta.
Jennesse believes in the interconnectedness of movement, nutrition, and overall wellness. By emphasizing the restoration of balance and harmony, she blends a range of techniques such as stretching, targeted pressure points, and deep tissue massage to facilitate the body’s return to a state of tranquility and ease. Jennesse crafts each session to suit the unique needs of the patient, with the ultimate goal of promoting well-being and relaxation. Schedule your first massage with Jennesse, now!
Jordyn Lange | Patient Care Coordinator
Jordyn is the friendly face that greets you when you walk into Northern Life Wellness. As our Patient Care Coordinator, she manages a variety of front desk and administrative tasks to ensure smooth operation of the clinic.
Jordyn’s duties encompass everything from greeting patients, checking them in and scheduling appointments, to managing doctors’ schedules. If you have an appointment with a chiropractor or PT, Jordyn will make sure it’s scheduled efficiently.
She also handles financial transactions, accepting payments for various services. She keeps the administrative side of the clinic running smoothly, ensuring a seamless patient experience.
Jordyn joined Northern Life Wellness in the Spring of 2023, making a career shift towards health and wellness. She was drawn to the clinic’s holistic approach to health, which includes chiropractic services, physical therapy, and massage. The clinic’s commitment to not just treat symptoms but to help patients improve their overall wellness resonated with her.
Jasmine Amberg | Patient Care Coordinator
Jasmine Amberg is passionate about healthcare and enjoys partnering with individuals on their health and wellness journeys. With a background in front desk operations, she has excelled in making patients feel welcome.
Jasmine holds a business administration degree from North Central University (graduated in 2016) and a Master of Acupuncture degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
Outside of work, Jasmine enjoys reading, baking, and exploring bike paths with her husband.
Cassandra Mentjes | Marketing Director
Cassandra Mentjes is a marketing professional with nearly a decade of experience in leadership roles, marketing strategy development, and team management. She has a proven track record in enhancing brand presence through multi-platform social media strategies, content creation, and market research analysis. Cassandra’s expertise includes managing marketing teams, optimizing brand messaging, and delivering campaigns that drive engagement and conversions.
She has served as a Marketing Manager and Consultant, specializing in social media branding and strategic marketing management. Her experience extends to creating websites, landing pages, and other promotional assets, while consistently staying ahead of evolving marketing trends and algorithms.
In addition to her marketing career, Cassandra brings over eight years of Executive Assistant experience, excelling in project management, business operations, and multi-team coordination. Her skill set spans efficient scheduling, budgeting, staff management, and problem-solving, making her a versatile asset to any organization.
Join the Fun
Our team loves to take advantage of dress-up days, excuses to decorate, and opportunities to dial up the fun a notch, so be warned. If you arrive for your appointment to find us all dressed up as superheroes or an office full of Olympic games, we hope you’ll jump into the madness with us.
Book Your Visit
Call today to schedule an appointment. Our team looks forward to meeting you!
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