i was forced to teach my first group fitness class in 2018. my trainer at the time was going out of town and i asked who would be subbing her class while she was away. "you are", she said. so, i did (and best believe i did it SCARED...more like terrified). but that was all it took; i fell fast. not even a month later i had 2 regular classes on the studio schedule. then 3. then 4. and then i was managing the group fitness department. 

i practiced my little fitness heart out on the side while working a full time job. i got certified in personal training in 2019. it was becoming clear i needed to find more ways to share the movement philosophy i had cultivated and fiercely believed in...so i started take good care fitness on april 2nd, 2021. i quit my job of 12 years smack in the middle of covid on august 2nd, 2021. i trained out of my basement for 6 months. i got invited to relocate my business by my condo association...and i had 30 days to do it. after a heartbreaking almost-done-deal fell through on the 'studio that almost was' in winooski, i rented a cute little ~ 1000 square foot studio in the south end of burlington - we moved in april 10th, 2022. and here we are...training, building an amazing community, getting stronger, and evolving ever since!

i do this because there is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you experience someone finding their strength, their confidence, and their community. as we all know, the 'fitness space' can be wildly exclusive and polarizing. every day, the family at TGCF is doing the work to change this. and i couldn't be more honored and proud of what we continue to build!

when i'm not at the studio - i absolutely LOVE being home. i love walking my dog. i write a to do list (yes, on paper) every single morning. my fave brewery is zero gravity. i'm always reading a thriller novel. i despise receiving the "thumbs up" emoji as a text response. i absolutely THRIVE in the vermont summers...and hibernate in the vermont winters. i will always say yes to charcuterie and wine...especially at salt & bubbles. i'm an english major. i'm an only child born on april fool's day. i'm very afraid of snakes and pretty afraid of planes (snakes on planes is out of the question). i love a good trash TV moment. i ran a half marathon once and now i just run for fun. i like most of the exercises other people hate (bulgarian split squats. eccentric anything. chin ups.)

i love to move my body and i REALLY love to share movement with all the other amazingly strong bodies in the TGCF community!

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-hilary haywood

NASM CPT 2019

NASM Behavior Change Specialist 2021

NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist 2022

Body Positive Fitness Alliance: Onramp to Inclusive Fitness 2024

Size Inclusive Training Academy: Size Inclusive Fitness Specialist 2024

Body Positive Fitness Alliance: Cultivating Anti-Racism as a Practice in Your Inclusive Fitness Community 2025