meet the team

photo by: dwelling photography

TGCF group fitness team

creating a welcoming and supportive environment, helping you find the movement that feels the absolute best for you that day, and making sure you leave feeling better than when you walked in is the priority of each of our instructors. let's get to know the group fitness crew!

photo by clay mohrman

caitlin moroney

I first started working out to fulfill a graduation requirement, and the rest is history. I had no interest in working out but realized it not only made me feel great physically, it had a profoundly positive impact on my mental health as well. I became a group fitness instructor ten years ago because I love to be a part of helping people do something positive for themselves. In addition to my group fitness certifications, I am a certified personal training and health coach. My classes are inspired by my participants, fellow trainers and instructors, physical therapists - whatever inspires and challenges me, I like to bring to class, with a motivating playlist which is likely to include at least one throwback remix. While I was a full time fitness professional and health coach for some time, I currently work at the VT Department of Health as a part of a program that administers a grant to support the prevention and management of diabetes and heart disease. I live in Burlington with my husband, our elderly terrier, and our baby girl. Group fitness is my happy place and I hope to see you there!

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photo by hilary rooney

ryan haywood

Like a lot of people I have spent my entire life struggling with weight and the stigma attached to being bigger. I would go through bouts of diet-misery trying to become 'skinny', which is a truly unrewarding endeavor IMO and honestly, not even the optimal strategy for health and longevity.

This all changed in 2022 when I thought, "hey, what if I just lean into what my body has always naturally wanted to be, and put my effort into getting as big and strong as possible?". So instead of dieting, I wanted to focus on fueling the work to get the most out of each training session.

That's when I found Hilary and TGCF! I needed a safe space to train hard and not worry about feeling self conscious—and the results have been life altering! I discovered a love for strength training and the TGCF community, so much so that I was motivated to get my own certification in personal training, which I completed in 2023 through the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

My goal is to help folks make this shift towards building instead of losing, something that has been transformative to me personally. I'm passionate about figuring out how to bring enjoyable and effective movement to those who might not consider themselves 'athletes'.

When I'm not training I'm working as a software engineer, being SUPER lazy at home (I rest real hard y'all), learning about training, spreading the gospel of protein, or making pizza and drinking beer! Can't wait to see you in the studio!!

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alexa szotka

Alexa Szotka is a yoga teacher, and Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the greater Burlington area. Alexa has a BS in Public Health from Ithaca College, and a MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from UVM. Alexa received her 200hr YTT at Laughing River Yoga in Burlington, VT in 2022 and has been teaching small weekly classes at Mansfield Hall ever since. Alexa first started yoga in college as a way to better manage stress and anxiety, and has since benefitted from yoga as a way to reconnect to herself and her breath. Off the mat, you can find Alexa in spinning classes, going on walks with her goldendoodle Willoughby, or reading on the couch with her girlfriend Claudia.

Alexa is passionate about making yoga accessible and inclusive for ALL bodies and abilities. Alexa will use her curiosity, calming presence, and awareness of the mind/body connection to teach all beings wanting to deepen their self-compassion and inner knowing. Students can use this connection to self as a way to show up more authentically and wholly in their daily lives and relationships.

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photo by emma rebeor

hilary rooney

i was forced to teach my first group fitness class. 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 i got certified in personal training. quit my job. started take good care fitness. and here we are! there is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you experience someone pushing themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of - mentally or physically. it is truly intoxicating; the best motivation to continue sharing movement with as many humans as possible. this is why i teach!

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 currently zero gravity. i'm always reading a thriller novel. i despise receiving the "thumbs up" emoji as a text response. i find a lot of joy in going to bed early. i keep a pretty small circle so spending time with friends and family is very important. i will always say yes to charcuterie (and wine). i'm an only child born on april fool's day. lastly, I LOVE TO MOVE!

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emma saunders

Hi there! My name is Emma and I've been lucky enough to be part of the TGCF fam from the beginning. I fell in love with movement after returning to Vermont in 2015 and taking some boxing fitness classes. Through the years I've tried just about everything - spinning, CrossFit, HIIT, and strength training. Group fitness classes helped me
learn to build confidence in movement and to find a sense of community. I think that is my favorite part of TGCF - the community! I love helping people feel welcome into this family, no matter where you are in your fitness journey. Strength training has helped me feel comfortable in my body and proud of the things I am able to do. I hope
that I can help others get similar benefits through my strength classes!

Outside of TGCF I can be found at my day job as a board certified behavior analyst, working primarily with people with autism. I am a VT native and live in South Burlington with my (slightly neurotic) dog, Lexie, and my husband.

I can't wait to see you in the studio!

book a class!