Now Booking Des Moines · Waukee · Indianola Coming Soon

Elite level care for every athlete.

Sports medicine that doesn't waste your time. Hands-on rehab, injury evaluation, dry needling, concussion care, and event coverage. Built for Iowa athletes since 2015.

Book Appointment → See Services ↓

Certified Trainers

Iowa Locations

Focused Services

10+

Years In Practice

Injury Evaluation/ Rehabilitation/ Dry Needling/ Concussion Management/ Event Coverage/ Normatec Recovery/ Mobility & Flexibility/ Injury Evaluation/ Rehabilitation/ Dry Needling/ Concussion Management/ Event Coverage/ Normatec Recovery/ Mobility & Flexibility/

Who We Serve

Built for the people
who keep showing up.

Four audiences, one standard of care. Walk in with a question, walk out with a plan.

01 / 04

Athletes

Hands-on care built around your sport, your timeline, and the way you actually play.

Learn More →

02 / 04

Parents & Coaches

Honest answers on what's wrong, what it takes, and when they're cleared.

Learn More →

03 / 04

Athletic Trainers

Per diem work, mentorship, and continuing ed with our growing team.

Learn More →

04 / 04

Event Planners

On-site medical for tournaments, races, leagues, and meets across Iowa.

Learn More →

Services

Care that earns
the comeback.

001

Injury Evaluation

Full health history, evaluation of acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries, and a body movement screening. We build the plan around your sport and your goals.

Schedule

Des Moines → Waukee →

002

Injury Rehabilitation

Decrease pain, restore mobility, rebuild strength. Certified athletic trainers walk you back to your sport on a timeline that protects the return.

Schedule

Des Moines → Waukee →

003

Dry Needling

Monofilament needles release muscle tension and trigger points, creating the local, segmental, and systemic conditions for healing.

Schedule

Des Moines → Waukee →

004

Mobility & Flexibility

Cupping, soft-tissue mobilization, myofascial release, targeted stretching. Sessions tailored to what your body needs that day.

Schedule

Des Moines → Waukee →

005

Injury Prevention

Personalized movement assessments identify imbalances and risk factors before they become injuries. For individuals or whole teams.

Schedule

Des Moines → Waukee →

006

Normatec Recovery

Compression therapy moves fluid out of heavy legs and circulates blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the muscles that need them.

Schedule

Des Moines →

007

Concussion Management

Virtual return-to-play guidance for athletes and parents. We track the protocol so you know what's next at every stage.

Schedule

Des Moines → Waukee →

008

Event Coverage

Certified athletic trainers at sporting events across Iowa. Acute orthopedic assessment, cardiac and respiratory response, concussion evaluation.

Contact

Email Us →

009

CPR & AED Training

Certification and recertification for coaches, teachers, fitness pros, and community members. We come to your location.

Contact

Email Us →

The Founder

Built by someone who's been there.

Michael Donahue opened the first Athletic Training Room in 2015 with one goal: bring hands-on sports medicine to athletes who deserve better than a referral chain. No insurance gatekeeping. No protocol shortcuts.

A decade in, the team has grown to seven certified athletic trainers across three Iowa locations. The mission has not changed.

Michael Donahue, ATC, DAT Founder · Owner

The Team

Meet the athletic trainers.

Seven certified athletic trainers serving athletes across central Iowa. Combined decades of experience at the collegiate, professional, and prep levels, plus advanced credentials in dry needling, concussion management, and sport rehabilitation.

Owner · Athletic Trainer

Michael Donahue

A Des Moines native, Michael holds dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Iowa in Athletic Training and Health and Sports Studies, a master's in Higher Education from Iowa State, and a Doctorate in Athletic Training from Temple University. He founded The ATR in 2015 and volunteers at the state, district, and national level to promote the profession.

ATC · DAT · Founder / 2015

Athletic Trainer

Kelly Caldwell

Born and raised in Normal, Illinois, Kelly earned her Master's in Athletic Training from Iowa State University, specializing in women's soccer during her graduate work. She joined The ATR in May 2025 and currently provides athletic training for the Des Moines Menace and Saydel High School, working primarily out of the Des Moines location.

ATC · MS / Joined 2025

Athletic Trainer

Courtney Joint

Courtney grew up in Ottumwa, Iowa, played softball at Southwestern Community College, and earned her BA in Athletic Training from Simpson College in 2016. She holds a Master of Science in Athletic Training with a specialization in Sport Neurology and Concussion from A.T. Still University. She works with the Iowa Barnstormers and Grandview Christian High School.

ATC · MS Sport Neurology / Joined 2026

Athletic Trainer · Indianola Lead

Nealey Webster

Born in Indianola, Nealey earned her bachelor's in Athletic Training from the University of Iowa and a master's in Exercise Science and Sport Rehabilitation from Logan University. She has been with The ATR since 2015 (initially as a student volunteer) and joined as an employee in 2021. She also owns Undone Strength and Fitness in Indianola and operates the Indianola location.

ATC · MS / Indianola Operator

Athletic Trainer

Megan Brady

Megan joined The ATR in 2018 after relocating to the metro in 2016. She earned a BA from Briar Cliff College, a master's from Idaho State, and a Doctorate of Education from UNI in 2016. She spent 15 years at the University of Northern Iowa supporting soccer, softball, basketball, and volleyball, then 5 years at Drake, before joining the Master of Athletic Training faculty at Iowa State.

ATC · EdD / Joined 2018

Athletic Trainer

Zach Woods

Zach graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA in Athletic Training. He worked at Western Illinois University covering football and basketball while earning an MS in Health Sciences (Public Health). He has practiced across collegiate, high school, hospital, and industrial settings, and is a licensed EMT-B in Iowa. He currently works with Interstate Thirty-Five High School.

ATC · MS · EMT-B

Athletic Trainer · Dry Needling Certified

Lauren Runquist

A Certified Athletic Trainer for six years, Lauren has been dry needle certified for three years through Structure and Function Education, completing both Foundations and Advanced Orthopedic Rehab and Sports Performance. She uses the technique to target muscle tightness, improve mobility, and speed up recovery for athletes and everyday clients alike.

ATC · Dry Needling Cert.

Join the Team

Now hiring
athletic trainers.

Build your practice with a team that values continuing education, mentorship, and a real community of certified pros. We work with high schools, colleges, pro teams, and statewide events across Iowa.

Email Us →

Locations