Who We Are

    At Alternative Aging & Medispa we are more than a team – we are a community.

    Every day, we blend expertise, curiosity, and a little bit of fun to help you feel your healthiest, strongest, and most confident self. From personalized wellness programs to advanced aesthetics and functional health, we create a space where you can relax, learn, and invest in yourself, all while being supported by people who genuinely care. 

    phyl mcclure, FNP

    Owner of Alternative Aging & Medispa

    • Certified in Functional Medicine

    • Master Injector

    • Board certified with full practice authority

    My name is Phyl McClure, and I am a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. I’m currently licensed in New York and Virginia, and with full practice authority (which means I get to work independently).

    “Phyl? I was expecting a man! What’s your real name?” is usually the first question new clients ask me. I was named after my Dad -Philip. So, I’m really just Phyl.

    I was born and raised in a small town in northern New York, so far north that Canada is closer than anywhere else.
    Between the two of us, my husband and I have five children, ranging in age from 8 to 26!

    I enjoy outdoor activities: hiking, kayaking, roasting marshmallows, climbing trees, and working in my yard.I wrote a book! One that, ironically, I have a difficult time describing; but if you like Young Adult novels with a twist, it’s available on Amazon: The Choice by PA Barbara.

    I have enjoyed working in health care for 27 years, experiencing everything from maternity to home care. I fell in love with Dermatology and Cosmetics in 2018 and have passionately pursued knowledge and experience in this area ever since.
    I left a thriving dermatology & aesthetics clinic to move to Virginia…for love, of course. I have embraced this change as an opportunity to build my own business: Alternative Aging & Medispa.

    I have a passion for injecting because it lets me mix medicine and art. I love helping people to feel good in their skin. My absolute most favorite thing is watching people look in the mirror when we’re done, watching the feelings of surprise and delight, and growing confidence. Because my experience is medical & dermatology, it’s fundamentally important to me to provide results that are subtle yet dramatic. I aim for that “You look great! What’s different?” kind of natural look. I want you to walk away looking and feeling like you – the best possible version of you.

    NATALIE ACKLEY

    Customer Relations 

    Tea Shop Mixologist

    A few random things about me:

    •  I have a snake! Her name is Lilith and she is a ball python. 

    • Salem, Massachusetts is one of my favorite places I have been.

    • Mashed potatoes will always be elite comfort food.

    Hi, I’m Natalie.

    People might describe me as quiet. I’d describe myself as curious. I like to understand how things work; people, systems, life. I’m always paying attention, even when I’m quiet.

    What matters most to me is living a life that feels balanced in all ways. Not perfect, balanced. At work, patience matters a lot to me. I think patience creates space for people to feel comfortable, and that’s important in the role I have here. Being the first face you see when you walk in means I want you to feel at ease from the start.

    One of the things that shaped me most was losing my grandpa. It shifted my perspective and reminded me how important it is to experience the world while you can. That’s one of my biggest motivators…I want to see more, learn more, and live fully.

    I’m proud of myself. That might sound simple, but it took growth to say that confidently.

    When I’m overwhelmed, music and a hot shower reset me every time. I’m very energy-aware, so acknowledgment and feedback go a long way with me at home and at work. Feeling seen matters.

    Outside of work, I’ve been learning guitar, which means I’ve been listening to a lot of different genres lately, anything with good guitar. I love the podcast Binchtopia and recently started watching Schitt’s Creek. When it’s warm out, you’ll find me paddle boarding or kayaking with my dog, Loki (he loves being on the water), hiking, or doing yoga.

    I’m currently working on my tiny house! I just added a loveseat and electricity, so it’s really coming together. It’s been such a fun project. 

    My favorite treatment here is Emsculpt Neo on the abs. I feel stronger and have definition I’ve never had before.

    My favorite thing about being here is the environment. It feels supportive, real, and collaborative – and that makes it easy to show up fully.

     

    katey baggett

    Operations Support

    • Favorite Tea: Whatever Natalie makes me! Protein shakes are awesome too!

    • Favorite Comfort Food: Baked spaghetti & confetti cake (birthday tradition)

    • Favorite memory: Florida with my Nannie, where I fell in love with manatees. I cannot wait to return to swim with them!

    Hi, I’m Katey.

    I hope most people would describe me as loyal. I’d describe myself as faithful. I’m deeply committed to my people, my work, and the life I’m building.

    What matters most to me is my family and friends being genuinely happy. I believe happiness takes intention. I work hard to break cycles, instill love and acceptance in my children, and teach them to use their voices. I had a complicated relationship with my mom growing up, and while it wasn’t always easy, it shaped me into the wife, mother, daughter, and friend I am today. My parents were also foster parents when I was young, which gave me perspective early on. I’ve never taken blessings lightly.

    One of the things I’m most proud of is my marriage. Five years ago, I prayed for where we are now. It sounds cliché, but it’s real. We never gave up on each other. We chose partnership. We chose growth. And now our children get to witness a healthy relationship built on hard work and belief in “us.”

    At work, balance matters to me. Loving what I do matters to me. And I’ll be honest, I’m a gold star, words-of-affirmation kind of girl. Recognition of effort means everything. A simple thank you goes a long way. I care deeply, and I show up fully. I try my best to give that same validation in all of my relationships, both personally and professionally, because I know what it feels like when that is missing.

    When I’m overwhelmed, I breathe. I lean on my friends and family. With the help from this team, I’m not too proud to ask for help anymore and that growth is huge for me. Fake energy, though? That drains me instantly. Celebrate others. Be real. That’s my lane.

    Right now, I’ve been pouring my energy into getting organized and truly settling into our home after a year of unexpected hiccups with new home ownership. I love watching my husband and kids ride dirt bikes. Being a track wife and mom feels like what I was born to do. We’re even working toward owning land one day to create a riding club, a place for families to unplug, ride, and make memories together. A true third space.

    Being a part of this team has healed me and my family in so many ways. I’m grateful to be with this amazing group of women. I only hope I am able to support this team and clients the way they have supported me and continue to build something meaningful at work and at home! 

    tara gressley

    Operations Support

    • Favorite Tea: California Sunrise

    • Favorite Comfort Food: Pho Vietnamese Soup 

    • I would love to visit Japan someday. And yes… I absolutely laugh at my own jokes.

    Hi, I’m Tara.

    If you hear someone laughing at their own joke… it’s probably me. I’ve been described as hilarious (I won’t argue with that), but if I had to pick one word for myself, it would be caring. I genuinely care about the people around me and about doing things well, whether that’s at home or here at AAM.

    What matters most to me in life is being happy. Not just surface-level happy, but building a life I actually enjoy living. My husband and kids are my biggest motivation. They push me to grow, to stay strong, and to keep showing up, even when life gets messy.

    I’m proud of being physically strong. Strength matters to me, but I’ve also learned that strength sometimes looks like crying when I’m overwhelmed and then getting back up to handle what needs to be handled. Growth isn’t always pretty, but it’s real.

    At work, I care about feeling important and valued. A simple “thank you” goes a long way with me, at home and here. 

    I do my best to support wherever I’m needed, help things run smoothly, and keep the medispa feeling like a place people actually enjoy being. The best thing about coming to work at AAM is definitely how supportive everyone is with each other, no matter what.

    Outside of work I’m taking care of my three kiddos, I’m into gardening, baseball and softball games, and any dark comedy, mystery, or drama series I can find.

    I don’t have a favorite treatment here, I like them all! I guess if I had to pick just one, it would be all of the BTL equipment that start with “EM”. 

    I’m glad you’re here. 

    Phyl McClure

    FNP (OWNER)

    My name is Phyl McClure, and I am a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. I’m currently licensed in New York and Virginia, and with full practice authority (which means I get to work independently).

    “Phyl? I was expecting a man! What’s your real name?” is usually the first question new clients ask me. I was named after my Dad -Philip. So, I’m really just Phyl.

    I was born and raised in a small town in northern New York. So far north that Canada is closer than anywhere else.
    Between the two of us, my husband and I have five children, ranging in age from 5 to 23!

    I enjoy outdoor activities: hiking, kayaking, roasting marshmallows, climbing trees, and, recently, roller skating.
    I wrote a book! That, ironically, I have a difficult time describing; but if you like Young Adult novels with a twist, it’s available on Amazon: The Choice by PA Barbara.

    I have enjoyed working in health care for 26 years, experiencing everything from maternity to home care. I fell in love with Dermatology and Cosmetics in 2018 – and have passionately pursued knowledge and experience in this area ever since.
    I left a thriving dermatology & aesthetics clinic to move to Virginia…for love, of course. I have embraced this change as an opportunity to build my own business – Alternative Aging & Medispa.

    I have a passion for injecting because it lets me mix medicine and art. I love helping people to feel good in their skin. My absolute most favorite thing is watching people look in the mirror when we’re done, watching the feelings of surprise and delight, and growing confidence. Because my experience is medical & dermatology, it’s fundamentally important to me to provide results that are subtle yet dramatic. I aim for that “You look great! What’s different???” kind of natural look. I want you to walk away looking and feeling like you – the best possible version of you.