DENVER, Colo. – Kelsey Clemens knows better than most just how difficult recovery from a serious injury can be.

In fact, the 2004 St. Edmond graduate did it twice, suffering two knee injuries during her high school career.

That’s why Clemens has devoted her life to making sure athletes stay in tip-top shape.

Now, she’ll be doing that at one of the highest levels possible for a massage therapist after being hired to that role with the NBA Denver Nuggets for the current season.

And it all came together after Clemens decided to take a chance and send out a message via social media.

“I actually had the Strength and Conditioning coach (and assistant coach Steve Hess) as a friend on Facebook of all things,” she said. “I decided one day to message him and see if he had a therapist that he referred clients to or if he had one himself.

“He responded by saying that the Nuggets were looking for a full-time therapist. He gave me his cell number to talk about the position and we proceeded to go through three interviews between himself and the head athletic trainer (before they offered the job).”

Clemens will be providing the athletes with pre- and post-game therapy, along with on their off days. She’ll be on attendance for all Denver home games and be on the road with the team as they work towards the NBA playoffs.

“(My duties) could include a simple 20-minute quick massage before a game to get their muscles warm or an hour massage in between games to prevent muscle fatigue, soreness and injury,” she said.

After graduating from St. Edmond, Clemens enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa before heading out to Colorado Springs and attending the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy.

She developed a quick list of clients, including Josh Cavan, her first, who is a professional MMA fighter on the local scene with hopes of competing in the UFC.

“Since (Cavan) I’ve had clients such as a former San Diego Charger, current Denver Bronco, former Golden State Warrior, ultra-runners, tri-athletes and a former USA Olympic skier,” Clemens said. “And I’ve also worked with ‘weekend warriors’ and everyday clients who work out to stay healthy.

“I think I relate to my clients a little better and am able to treat them faster due to being a former athlete myself and still an avid runner.”

While competing as a Gael, Clemens tore both of her ACLs in each knee, limiting her time on the court. From that first injury on, though, she knew what was in her future.

“”I always knew I wanted to help people and make a difference in their lives,” she said. “When I tore both my ACLs in high school and had to go through six months of rehab, a key part to full range of motion was massaging my knee to make sure there was minimal amount of scar tissue built up. I realized then that was the type of work I wanted to get into.”

Clemens has her own worries about taking on such a high-level position, but believes in 10 years, “this will be where I am at.”

“I am excited to be in the environment of team camaraderie,” Clemens said, “with all striving for the same goal.”