About Luke Stokes
Licensed Massage Therapist · Cortiva Institute, St. Petersburg · D1 Athlete · St. Pete Local
Built around helping people move better.
Luke grew up the youngest of three brothers in a D1 sports family. All three played at the college level. A torn labrum in high school sent him through seven months of physical therapy, and that experience changed everything. He didn't just recover. He got fascinated.
What he learned in that process, specifically how the body responds to consistent targeted work and how mobility is something you build rather than something you either have or don't, became the foundation for everything Dawn Wellness is today.
Dawn Wellness exists because most people never get the kind of care that actually moves the needle. One-off massage sessions feel good. Real change takes a plan. That's what Luke set out to build, and what the whole team is organized around.
Building a foundation in how the body moves.
Luke went to college with a clear direction: kinesiology. He wanted to understand human movement, anatomy, physiology, and how all of it fits together. "I wanted to understand the body: how it moves, how it works, what it needs," he says.
After graduating, he joined StretchZone, a performance and flexibility training franchise where he deepened his understanding of assisted stretching and functional movement. He worked alongside practitioners who reinforced what he already believed: the body responds to consistent, targeted work.
He then went through massage school at the Cortiva Institute in St. Petersburg. By that point, he was already building his vision. "In school is when I started forming the system of how I wanted to run the business. How I wanted to help people."
Three elite environments before starting his own practice.
Before founding Dawn Wellness, Luke built his skills in some of the most demanding wellness environments in Tampa Bay. He still works at two of them today alongside running his own practice:
StretchZone
Practitioner-assisted stretching franchise. This is where Luke honed the stretch techniques that became his signature, working with clients of all ages and activity levels on mobility and movement quality.
Don CeSar Beach Resort Spa
Iconic luxury resort spa on St. Pete Beach. Luke continues to work here, serving a high-volume, diverse clientele. It built his volume, consistency, and ability to read and adapt to any client quickly.
Pasadena Yacht & Country Club Spa
High-end private club requiring precision, professionalism, and personalization. Luke still works here today alongside Dawn Wellness, serving a discerning membership that expects exceptional care every visit.
One session can help.
A plan changes you.
Luke is direct about this: a single massage is better than nothing. But it is not a treatment plan. If you want your body to actually change, if you want to turn your head further, sleep through the night, get back to training, and stay ahead of the injuries that come with getting older, you need consistency.
This is the same logic behind any progressive training program. You don't get stronger by going to the gym once. You don't improve your flexibility with one stretch session. The body responds to repeated, targeted input over time. That's exactly what Dawn Wellness is built around.
"I try to get away from doing one-off sessions with people," Luke says. "Not because of the money. Because I know it helps them better. Committing to a process is how you actually get better."
Every new client starts with a free consultation. The first session includes a full assessment. From there, Luke designs a treatment cadence that fits the client's goals, schedule, and budget, and works with them, session by session, to hit those goals.
"My goal is to relieve pain and tension in the body while positively impacting the community around me."— Luke Stokes, Founder
"I came to Luke unable to turn my head from a pinched nerve in my neck. His calming presence, meticulous skills, and positivity put me at ease. He focused exactly on my problem areas and never surpassed my limits."
"I've been working with Luke for the past 3 years. His ability to listen to my body and help me improve every single session is incredible for dexterity and injury prevention as I climb into my 30s."
Frequently asked questions.
Who is Luke Stokes and what is his background?
Luke is a Licensed Massage Therapist and the founder of Dawn Wellness. He grew up the youngest of three brothers in a D1 sports family, played cornerback in college, studied kinesiology, trained at StretchZone, and built his career at the Don CeSar Resort spa and Pasadena Yacht Club spa before launching his own practice.
What does Luke specialize in?
Luke's core specialties are assisted stretching, deep tissue massage, and long-term mobility planning. His athletic background and kinesiology training make him especially effective with athletes, active adults, and anyone dealing with chronic tightness or recurring movement restrictions.
Is Luke still taking new clients?
Yes. You can book directly online or start with a free 15-minute phone consultation to discuss your goals before committing to a session.
What credentials does Luke hold?
Luke is a Licensed Massage Therapist in the State of Florida. He graduated from the Cortiva Institute in St. Petersburg and studied kinesiology.