Left: Coral Krueger, LCSW. Right: Brook Thompson. (Spa member and competitor) Taken at the Missouri state championship (SPF powerlifting competition “Vikings of Iron” GP athletes Springfield, Missouri); the first-place award was Viking hatchets.
Photo provided by Kenny Wilkerson
Posted
Monday,January 18, 203810:14 pm
What started as an injury before a powerlifting competition turned into a new business and a new mission for Coral Krueger and her husband, Kenny
The couple, co-owners of Restored Wellness and Recovery Spa in Marshfield, believe true wellness isn’t just about taking care of the body. It’s also about taking care of the mind
For Coral, that philosophy comes from personal experience
Kenny is a lifelong southwest Missouri resident who grew up near Stockton Lake. Coral moved from Colorado about six years ago after the two met. Together, they blended their families and are now raising five children. Their oldest recently welcomed a baby girl, making the couple first-time grandparents
Family, faith and the outdoors play a big part in their lives. They enjoy hunting, fishing and spending time outside whenever they can
Another shared passion is powerlifting
“We both had struggled with how we felt about ourselves and wanted to improve our health,” Coral said. “Finding the right gym wasn’t always easy, but once we got involved in powerlifting, we just fell in love with it.”
While preparing for a competition, Coral injured her knee badly enough that she worried she might miss the event
Looking for relief, she tried a combination of recovery therapies that included a sauna, red light therapy, cold plunges, compression therapy and vibration therapy
“I noticed a huge difference within about a week,” she said. “The pain started going away, I was moving better, and I really believe those treatments helped me recover.”
The results spoke for themselves
Coral not only competed but also recorded the best performance of her career, setting new Missouri state records and earning a national record in powerlifting
Not long afterward, the owners of the recovery spa told the couple they planned to sell or close the business
Almost at the same moment, while each was at work, Coral and Kenny texted each other the same question
“What do you think about buying the spa?”
Although other offers were on the table, the previous owners chose the Kruegers to continue the business
Today, the couple has expanded the spa beyond traditional recovery services by adding something they believe is missing in many wellness centers: licensed mental health counseling
Coral, a mental health therapist, said combining counseling with physical recovery creates a more complete approach to wellness
“People often separate mental health from physical health, but they really work together,” she said
Clients may begin with a counseling session, then spend time in the sauna or use red light therapy to relax after discussing emotionally difficult topics
“Therapy can be incredibly helpful, but it can also be emotionally exhausting,” Coral said. “We wanted people to have a place where they could continue relaxing after their session.”
The same approach applies to massage therapy
Rather than viewing each service separately, the spa encourages clients to use recovery treatments before or after a massage to help muscles loosen and improve overall relaxation
“When people hear therapy, they sometimes picture what’s shown in movies,” she said with a laugh. “Someone sitting behind a desk taking notes while you’re lying on a couch.”
Whether someone comes in for a sore back, stress, anxiety or simply to recharge, the goal remains the same
“We want people to leave feeling better than when they came in,” Coral said. “If we can help someone improve both their physical health and their mental well-being, then we’ve done what we set out to do.”
“My goal is to help you get the tools you need so that you feel better to the point where you no longer need me. I want you to be able to do this on your own, with the support system you already have
