Mike Stella

Owner

I’m not your average athletic trainer.
And this isn’t your average gym.
This is The Movement Underground—where pain meets its match, potential gets unlocked, and excuses don’t survive the front door.

After 20 years in the sports medicine game—working with everyone from pro athletes to everyday weekend warriors—I got tired of watching people fall through the cracks of a broken healthcare system. Insurance companies dictating care. Cookie-cutter rehab. Band-aid solutions.

I knew there had to be a better way. So I built it. And Assembled a team of incredible coaches and clinicians who believe as I do… That pain is a teacher.

At TMU, we don’t chase symptoms—we hunt down root causes. We blend world-class physical therapy, elite-level training, cutting-edge recovery, and guided health optimization under one roof.

It’s not just rehab. It’s a system designed to rebuild you stronger, faster, and more resilient than ever before.

I’ve helped people come back from career-ending injuries. I’ve helped others get off pain meds, reclaim their bodies, and take back their lives. I’ve worked with athletes who were told they were “done,” only to watch them level up like never before.

I don’t care where you’re starting—only that you’re ready to go all in.

I’ve been where you are. I’ve felt broken, lost, out of shape, and beat up by life. That’s what makes this personal. This isn’t just my career—it’s my calling. And if you’re ready to show up for yourself, then I’m ready to help you break through.

No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real results from someone who actually gives a damn.
You don’t need another generic gym or insurance-mill PT.
You need someone who sees what’s possible—and knows how to get you there.

Let’s rebuild what they said was broken.
Let’s turn setbacks into fuel.
Let’s show the world what happens when you train with purpose.

This is your comeback story.
And it starts right here—Underground.

Anthony Pranzo

LMT, CPT, FRCms

Anthony Pranzo is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Personal Trainer with an expertise in Myofascial Release Techniques and Mobility training. Anthony began his career in Massage and Movement as a frustrated high school baseball player who suffered a UCL Tear needing Tommy John Surgery. Throughout the rehab process, and dealing with loss of mobility and chronic pain, Anthony began to think…”There has to be a better way to help athletes and people move and feel better.” He enrolled in massage school, and sought out an internship with Mike Stella, years before The Movement Underground was born nearly a decade ago. Since then, Anthony has become one of the best bodyworkers and mobility coaches on Long Island, with a deep understanding of movement, and arsenal of manual therapy techniques at his disposal, if there is a way to progress someone, Anthony knows how to do it. Don’t ever let pain or poor mobility stand in the way of your goals. Schedule some time on Anthony’s table, and with some coaching and guidance, you will feel and move the best you ever have. In his free time, you can find Anthony dealing on the mound in local mens baseball leagues, surfing the local breaks of Long Beach, playing with his dog Shea (names for Shea Stadium), and researching the latest conspiracy theories to share with the rest of the staff.

Matt Forman

BS, CPT, FRCms

Matt Forman is an ACE (American Council for Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer who graduated form the University of Delaware with a major in Exercise Science, and a minor in Strength and Conditioning. He also holds a Certification as a FRC Mobility Specialist. Matt’s passion for fitness and training began as a local standout soccer player, but after a hip fracture, learned he was meant for helping people get the most out of their rehab, training and life. While at Delaware, Matt worked with a variety of Division 1 athletes including Football, Track & Field, Soccer, and helped the Men’s Basketball program take home a conference championship in ’21. Matt currently is an up and coming competitive bodybuilder as well as pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Matt helps coach clients at The Movement Underground in corrective exercise, and is an integral part of the design and implementation of Strength & Conditioning programs.

Chris Tessitore

General Manager

Chis is the General Manager of The Movement Underground. If Mike Stella represents the Soul of the Gym, then Chris represents its Heartbeat. Chris is in charge of not only the day to day operations, scheduling, billing, but also ensuring that every client is greeted with a smile, a laugh, and everything they need to get better. His journey at the Movement Underground began as a client, a standout pitcher for SUNY Old Westbury where he unfortunately suffered a torn UCL and underwent Tommy John Surgery. Through rehab and program guidance from Mike Stella and the Movement Underground Staff, Chris returned to highly competitive baseball throwing harder than he did pre-injury and topping at 97mph. He completed his collegiate career and moved on to pitch professionally, winning 3 championships in 4 years and garnering a playoff MVP award for the Plattsburgh Thunderbirds & New Jersey Jackals. Chris is not only an OG client, but has walked the path of many clients at TMU, understanding the pain, injury, and rehab process better than most.