Sports Performance Therapist

Serving Upstate South Carolina

Harper Sport was designed with athletes in mind.

ath·lete noun

a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina

Merriam-Webster

Chances are, you’re an athlete. Maybe you’re a Division-1 football player, maybe you run your local brewery’s 5k, maybe you swim with the masters group at your gym, you’ve retired after a basketball career, or you play pickleball with your neighbors. You’re an athlete. Maybe you sprint to catch the bus, maybe you lift toddlers and groceries, or maybe you have to hold your balance while stepping over your dog sprawled in the kitchen floor. Life’s everyday challenges require your strength, agility, and stamina.

So, you, too, are an athlete, and an athlete’s body needs maintenance.

At Harper Sport, I want to help you hurt less, so you can play more, however it is you like to play. Whether you compete professionally, exercise as a weekend warrior, or chase around babies, you’re an athlete in my book.

You ask a lot of your body. What’s it asking from you?

About Harper Sport

RN-BSN, CCRN, CEN

Active Release Techniques® Certified Provider

Licensed Bodywork and Massage Therapist

NASM™ NCCA Certified Personal Trainer

NASM™ Corrective Exercise Specialist

Starfish Aquatics Institute Swim Instructor

StarGuard ELITE Lifeguard

Lauren Harper

Hi, I’m Harper, and I’m an athlete too. With a background ranging from gymnastics and barre to karate and basketball, I now race as a sprint and middle distance triathlete and coach swimmers. I know the toll that playing hard can take on a body, but with a decade of experience as a Registered Nurse, I can attest the alternative is even worse. I founded Harper Sport to combine my passions of caring for others and helping them heal with my love of movement and the joy of exercise. It’s my mission to free you to move your body in the ways you enjoy, unfettered by injury and pain.

Client Reviews

  • A.R.T. & Athletic performance Massage

    “Lauren listens. She has a thorough understanding of the body with her RN background and massage/Active Release training and thoughtfully applies it to what I perceive as my issues. She’ll take the time to research and make a game plan.” -V.M.

  • Child Swim Instruction

    “We love Lauren! She has been an ideal swim instructor for our 5 y.o. She meets children where they are and gets creative and silly with them to make swimming fun while still focusing on safety and skills.” -L.G.

  • Athletic Performance Massage

    “I can’t recommend Lauren Harper at Harper Sport enough! As a fellow triathlete, I often struggle with tight, stiff muscles from training and body structure. Lauren’s expertise has been a game-changer. Her in-depth knowledge of mobility and recovery is second to none, and it’s clear her background in nursing and experience as a triathlete herself make for superb care and treatment. She knows exactly what athletes need, and her services have helped me stay limber and perform at my best. If you're looking for someone who truly understands your body and how to help it recover, Lauren is the one to go to!” -K.S.

  • A.R.T. & Athletic Performance Massage

    “As an endurance athlete, I've gone to many sports massage therapists over the years. Lauren is one of the best I've encountered. She has a background in the medical field, so she's well versed not only in massage and active release technique, but she also has an extremely deep knowledge of the body's anatomy and how everything is interconnected. Highly recommend!” -J.D.

  • Athletic Performance Massage & Child Swim Instruction

    “I had a massage and it was great! Location is very convenient and great atmosphere inside. She used the perfect amount of pressure and focused on my much needed areas!


    I also used Harper Sport for my daughters’ swim lessons and could not recommend her more!! My 4 year old started off the summer not wanting to let go of me in the water and being very timid to being able to swim across a 25 meter pool and jump off the diving board and swim to the edge! She also worked very well with my stubborn 3 year old and got her to be able to dive down for toys, which is a huge accomplishment for her!


    Highly recommend!” -M.W.

  • Adult Swim Instruction

    “Lauren is the BEST! I reached out to her for swimming lessons to focus on technique both in the pool and open water. She is very confident in her coaching abilities and was able to provide instruction that actually made sense. Thanks to Lauren, I am now able to breathe on my non-dominant side and every 3 breaths! Additionally, was able to complete my first 2.4 mile open water swim at Lake Jocassee. I definitely recommend Lauren Harper for any of your swimming needs!” -S.G.

  • Athletic Performance Massage

    “I have used Harper Sport twice after strenuous sporting events in order to enable speedy recovery. The scheduling was easy and when I needed a specific time slot to fit my schedule, Lauren was very accommodating. As an endurance athlete and medical professional, Lauren understands her clients’ bodies and actively listens to ensure she targets the right muscles and pressure points. The new Simpsonville, SC location is extremely convenient to anyone on the Golden Strip (Mauldin, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn) and not too far for those in the Five Forks area.” -K.M.

  • Child Swim Instruction

    “Lauren has been incredible when teaching our 5yo how to swim. She is patient, energetic, and fun! I was completely comfortable with her both because of her background as a nurse and her obvious mastery of swim material for children. She took time to debrief with us after our daughter's lessons, and showed us how her progress was tracking according to concrete goals. We would recommend Lauren to any parent interested in teaching his or her kid to swim, and have only heard glowingly positive things about her other services. Thank you Lauren!” -T.B.

  • Therapeutic Massage

    “I am not an athlete but have back pain and Lauren does an amazing job stretching my back. Also, the massage is very relaxing!” -K.G.

  • Adult Swim Instruction

    “I needed help with my swim stroke and open water swimming and Lauren was highly recommended. Lauren really helped boost my open water swimming confidence in just one session! She also gave me great tips and advice to help smooth out my swim stroke.” -M.C.

  • Movement Screening, A.R.T. & Therapeutic Massage

    “Heard about Harper at Harper Sport from a friend and will definitely be going back. Harper is very friendly and welcoming. More importantly, she clearly knows what she is doing. She was able to use active release to relieve some chronic pain in my neck and shoulders that was driving me nuts. I can’t recommend Harper Sport enough.” -C.C.

  • Athletic Performance Massage

    “I had an excellent experience at Harper Sport in Simpsonville! Lauren was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and thorough in addressing my concerns. She took the time to assess my needs and provided expert guidance that made a real difference. I highly recommend Harper Sport and Lauren for anyone looking for high-quality care and expertise. I’ll definitely be back!” -A.K.

  • A.R.T. & Athletic Performance Massage

    “Harper is one of the most knowledgeable sports performance therapists I have ever met. She immediately identified a complex issue, helped me rehabilitate through active release, and gave me practical tips in order to continue my training without recurrence. I cannot recommend her highly enough!” -M.C.

  • Child Swim Instruction

    “I am so impressed by Coach Harper and the wonderful experience my daughter had during her swim lessons. Coach Harper is so patient and attentive to my daughter's needs, making sure she felt safe and confident in the water. It was amazing to see the progress made from the first to the last session and added bonus of being the highlight to my daughter’s day. Highly recommend!” -L.R.

  • A.R.T. & Therapeutic Massage

    “If you’re looking for an expert in sports massage, injury prevention, or swim instruction, Harper is hands down the best choice! Whether you’re a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or someone dealing with pain from everyday life, Harper’s incredible skills and qualifications make her an unmatched resource for achieving your goals…Harper is not only professional and knowledgeable, but she’s also incredibly caring and passionate about what she does. If you’re serious about your health, performance, or recovery, don’t hesitate to book with Harper Sport!” -M.C.