After two decades in the Air Force, Major Thomas Windley understood something many veterans know well: service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It simply takes on a new form.
Today, Windley and his wife are helping others heal through their award-winning Elements Massage studio in Greenwood Village, Colorado, where wellness, compassion and community remain at the center of their work.
Early in his career, Windley served as an enlisted physical therapy technician stationed at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was later selected to serve as an athletic trainer for the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School, a role that left a lasting impression.
“It was [in] this position that I blossomed and knew there was something within me that created a genuine connection with patients,” Windley said. “Perhaps it was being on the front line to diagnose and treat sports-related injuries, or maybe it was the father in me caring for these student athletes that ignited my passion to help people.”
Midway through his military career, Windley earned a direct commission into the Medical Service Corps and later served in several leadership positions, including interim squadron commander for the 4th Medical Group. Following his military service, he spent nearly eight years as Chief Operating Officer of a Northern Virginia health center before retiring from health care administration.
New Purpose
As he approached retirement, Windley felt drawn to creating something of his own while continuing to care for others.
“Business ownership wasn’t just a career move; it was a way to continue service to others in a different capacity,” he said.
That desire led the Windleys to Elements Massage, a business model that aligned naturally with his lifelong commitment to helping people.
“Wellness kept coming up,” Windley said. “It wasn’t about pampering; it was about real therapeutic care, human connection and supporting the people who deliver that care.”
His philosophy has resonated with clients. The studio has been voted Best Massage Spa in Greenwood Village for two consecutive years. Windley credits that recognition to a straightforward approach built on kindness and consistency.
“We keep things simple: treat people well, hire great service providers and create a space where clients feel genuinely cared for,” he said. “When your staff feels supported, your clients feel it too.”
Wellness First
Windley believes wellness is especially important for veterans, many of whom carry the physical and emotional burdens of military life long after separation.
“Self-care isn’t indulgent; it’s a lifeline,” he said. “Veterans often carry invisible weight. Wellness gives veterans permission to slow down, breathe and take care of themselves in a way many of us weren’t taught to do.”
Transitioning from military leadership to entrepreneurship came with challenges. Unlike the structured environment of the military, small business ownership required building processes, culture and expectations from scratch.
“There is no playbook for the unpredictable challenges small businesses face,” Windley said. “But those challenges forced me to grow, to adapt and to trust myself in new ways.”
Fortunately, many of the lessons he learned in the Air Force translated directly to business ownership.
“The Air Force taught me resilience, discipline and how to take care of people,” he said. “Most importantly, I learned that people are the heart of any mission.”
Serving Others
Windley hopes to continue expanding the studio while creating an environment where clients and employees alike feel valued and supported.
“My goal is to keep building a place where people feel cared for; clients, therapists and estheticians alike,” he said. “If our studio can help people feel healthier, more balanced and more supported, then we’re doing something meaningful.”
And if there’s one message he hopes fellow veterans take from his story, it’s a simple reminder.
“Take care of yourself,” Windley said. “When you invest in yourself—physically, mentally and emotionally—you create space for a stronger, healthier future.”
For Windley, the commitment to healing remains as strong as ever, extending beyond military service and into the community he proudly serves.
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