Chelsea Moore, Founder, Instructor
Chelsea has been rowing since 2005 and coaching since 2009. She rowed at the University of Oklahoma on the inaugural varsity rowing team. She was a two-time Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) National Scholar-Athlete, selected as CRCA All-Region, second team and Conference USA Rowing All-Conference Team. Her coaching experience ranges from coaching a collegiate Division 1 team at the University of Oklahoma to coaching high school and masters rowers at the Austin Rowing Club. The varied levels of on-the-water coaching, in addition to indoor rowing specific coaching inspired her to take the leap and start Rō in early 2014 to bring the indoor rowing workout to rowers and non-rowers alike!
Her classes: Great for beginners and veterans alike, but be ready to put in the work.
Chelsea has been rowing since 2005 and coaching since 2009. She rowed at the University of Oklahoma on the inaugural varsity rowing team. She was a two-time Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) National Scholar-Athlete, selected as CRCA All-Region, second team and Conference USA Rowing All-Conference Team. Her coaching experience ranges from coaching a collegiate Division 1 team at the University of Oklahoma to coaching high school and masters rowers at the Austin Rowing Club. The varied levels of on-the-water coaching, in addition to indoor rowing specific coaching inspired her to take the leap and start Rō in early 2014 to bring the indoor rowing workout to rowers and non-rowers alike!
Her classes: Great for beginners and veterans alike, but be ready to put in the work.
Nicole De Santis, Instructor
Nicole has always loved to exercise, especially outside. She was a swimmer for most of her life, dabbled in running and cycling, and found a love for rowing on the water when she moved to Austin in 2019. She has been a competitive rower with Texas Rowing Center for the last two years. She loves the analytical nature of rowing and team-orientation - you quite literally cannot row a boat out of sync with your crew! She loves how Ro Fitness classes push you against your own personal goals and starting point, while encouraging you to work together as a team.
Her classes: Upbeat, bright, and welcoming to rowers at all levels!
Nicole has always loved to exercise, especially outside. She was a swimmer for most of her life, dabbled in running and cycling, and found a love for rowing on the water when she moved to Austin in 2019. She has been a competitive rower with Texas Rowing Center for the last two years. She loves the analytical nature of rowing and team-orientation - you quite literally cannot row a boat out of sync with your crew! She loves how Ro Fitness classes push you against your own personal goals and starting point, while encouraging you to work together as a team.
Her classes: Upbeat, bright, and welcoming to rowers at all levels!
Connor Dent, Instructor
Primarily trained as a licensed massage therapist, Connor comes to the Rō family bringing an adeptness to kinesiology & anatomy. Connor has a broad understanding of the human body and it’s functionality, and he applies this to both his hands on massage work and his teaching at the studio.
Connor’s journey into fitness began with the rowing machine back in 2007. He spent most of his Virginia high school days training on the Potomac River as a competitive rower for McLean High School. He was a gold medalist at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints and referred to as “the Hammer” by his coach, Bobby. Since his school days, the erg has been a staple in his fitness regiment next to his pursuit of biking, yoga, weightlifting, running and jiu-jitsu. To this day, he considers the rowing machine to be the best possible metric to test your aerobic capabilities.
His classes: Educational and great for beginners learning the ropes.
Primarily trained as a licensed massage therapist, Connor comes to the Rō family bringing an adeptness to kinesiology & anatomy. Connor has a broad understanding of the human body and it’s functionality, and he applies this to both his hands on massage work and his teaching at the studio.
Connor’s journey into fitness began with the rowing machine back in 2007. He spent most of his Virginia high school days training on the Potomac River as a competitive rower for McLean High School. He was a gold medalist at the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints and referred to as “the Hammer” by his coach, Bobby. Since his school days, the erg has been a staple in his fitness regiment next to his pursuit of biking, yoga, weightlifting, running and jiu-jitsu. To this day, he considers the rowing machine to be the best possible metric to test your aerobic capabilities.
His classes: Educational and great for beginners learning the ropes.
Amber Dunn, Instructor
Originally from San Diego, Amber rowed at San Diego Rowing Club and played water polo throughout high school. She went on to play water polo in college and obtained her undergraduate degree in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon. After falling in love with fitness and incorporating anatomy and physiology knowledge into it, she began coaching high school and college athletes at her local gym in San Diego. She has since worked for the Sports Science Department for the University of Oregon Football program as well as University of Texas Football strength and conditioning program.
She loves to try new activities and does things such as weightlifting, swimming, boxing and rowing for fun. In her free time outside of athletic pursuits she enjoys reading, fostering cats and being outdoors, preferably with a body of water nearby. She is excited to have the chance to make rowing a bigger part of her life again with coaching at Ro!
Her classes: Expect to be supported and coached to level upi
Originally from San Diego, Amber rowed at San Diego Rowing Club and played water polo throughout high school. She went on to play water polo in college and obtained her undergraduate degree in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon. After falling in love with fitness and incorporating anatomy and physiology knowledge into it, she began coaching high school and college athletes at her local gym in San Diego. She has since worked for the Sports Science Department for the University of Oregon Football program as well as University of Texas Football strength and conditioning program.
She loves to try new activities and does things such as weightlifting, swimming, boxing and rowing for fun. In her free time outside of athletic pursuits she enjoys reading, fostering cats and being outdoors, preferably with a body of water nearby. She is excited to have the chance to make rowing a bigger part of her life again with coaching at Ro!
Her classes: Expect to be supported and coached to level upi
Liv Foletta, Instructor
Liv was born and raised in good ol' Austin, TX. She is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology where she rowed all 4 years through her college career. After graduation, she quickly found a way to share her passion for rowing and began coaching on the water at Pittsford Crew. She moved back to Austin in 2021 and now coaches on the water at Austin Rowing Club, where she loves finding ways to highlight small details that create big change in new rowers. In her free time she’s an artist and loving cat mom :)
Her classes are bright, lighthearted and technical.
Liv was born and raised in good ol' Austin, TX. She is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology where she rowed all 4 years through her college career. After graduation, she quickly found a way to share her passion for rowing and began coaching on the water at Pittsford Crew. She moved back to Austin in 2021 and now coaches on the water at Austin Rowing Club, where she loves finding ways to highlight small details that create big change in new rowers. In her free time she’s an artist and loving cat mom :)
Her classes are bright, lighthearted and technical.
Bryana Gibson, Instructor
Growing up outside of Seattle, WA, Bryana enjoyed performing gymnastics and dance at a high level in
state competitions. She started rowing at Smith College in Northampton, MA. During her
junior year, Bryana rowed for Lady Margaret Hall at Oxford University and loved racing around England.
One of Bryana’s proudest athletic achievements was making the Varsity Boat for Smith at the Division III
National Rowing Championships in 2002. Bryana moved to Austin in 2018 and continues to row
recreationally with Austin Rowing Club. Since beginning Ro Fitness, she has loved the challenging
workouts and community she has found.
Outside of rowing, Bryana is a dedicated mom with two kids
and two cats and works full-time in Client Services for a consulting firm.
Her classes: Easygoing but challenge oriented!
Growing up outside of Seattle, WA, Bryana enjoyed performing gymnastics and dance at a high level in
state competitions. She started rowing at Smith College in Northampton, MA. During her
junior year, Bryana rowed for Lady Margaret Hall at Oxford University and loved racing around England.
One of Bryana’s proudest athletic achievements was making the Varsity Boat for Smith at the Division III
National Rowing Championships in 2002. Bryana moved to Austin in 2018 and continues to row
recreationally with Austin Rowing Club. Since beginning Ro Fitness, she has loved the challenging
workouts and community she has found.
Outside of rowing, Bryana is a dedicated mom with two kids
and two cats and works full-time in Client Services for a consulting firm.
Her classes: Easygoing but challenge oriented!
Laura Griffith, Instructor
Originally from Michigan, Laura started rowing as a freshman in high school back in 2001. She rowed all throughout high school and continued to row on the varsity team with Eastern Michigan University. Throughout college she was coaching the men's high school rowing program for the Wyandotte Boat Club, as well as helping her old high school team.
After college, Laura continued her health and fitness journey with Kickboxing, and CrossFit. Her favorite thing about rowing is being a member of an amazing crew of people who come together, and work hard to accomplish the same goal.
Her classes: Focused on teamwork and accountability!
Originally from Michigan, Laura started rowing as a freshman in high school back in 2001. She rowed all throughout high school and continued to row on the varsity team with Eastern Michigan University. Throughout college she was coaching the men's high school rowing program for the Wyandotte Boat Club, as well as helping her old high school team.
After college, Laura continued her health and fitness journey with Kickboxing, and CrossFit. Her favorite thing about rowing is being a member of an amazing crew of people who come together, and work hard to accomplish the same goal.
Her classes: Focused on teamwork and accountability!
Mesha Jefferson, Instructor
Mesha started her rowing career while she was attending the University of Texas at Austin. She has since started coaching rowing, first in Daytona Beach, FL and primarily here in Austin. Mesha has coached rowers of all ages and skill sets, highly focusing on technique. She continues to row competitively with Texas Rowing Center. When she isn’t rowing on the water or land, Mesha enjoys gardening and attempting to master other sports.
Her classes: Technical and fun!
Mesha started her rowing career while she was attending the University of Texas at Austin. She has since started coaching rowing, first in Daytona Beach, FL and primarily here in Austin. Mesha has coached rowers of all ages and skill sets, highly focusing on technique. She continues to row competitively with Texas Rowing Center. When she isn’t rowing on the water or land, Mesha enjoys gardening and attempting to master other sports.
Her classes: Technical and fun!
Meagan McWilliams, Instructor
Meagan was born in Long Island, NY, but grew up in Dallas, TX. She knew from a young age that she loved the water. After being a competitive swimmer for 12 years, she tried a rowing camp for Dallas United Crew in high school and the rest was history. She rowed at The University of San Diego for 2 years before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin. Meagan was a state-ranked sprint freestyler in high school and has competed notably at the Head of the Charles and the Canadian Henley Regattas.
Outside of rowing, Meagan enjoys swimming in Barton Springs, trying new coffee shops, and attending concerts. She enjoys meeting new people and instilling confidence in her clients.
Meagan’s Classes: High energy, inspirational, unifying.
Meagan was born in Long Island, NY, but grew up in Dallas, TX. She knew from a young age that she loved the water. After being a competitive swimmer for 12 years, she tried a rowing camp for Dallas United Crew in high school and the rest was history. She rowed at The University of San Diego for 2 years before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin. Meagan was a state-ranked sprint freestyler in high school and has competed notably at the Head of the Charles and the Canadian Henley Regattas.
Outside of rowing, Meagan enjoys swimming in Barton Springs, trying new coffee shops, and attending concerts. She enjoys meeting new people and instilling confidence in her clients.
Meagan’s Classes: High energy, inspirational, unifying.
Lura Moore, Instructor
Lura is passionate about sports, healthy lifestyles, and helping others achieve their goals. She started rowing in 2017 when she and her husband moved to Austin and she has loved Rō Fitness ever since. Lura grew up playing a variety of sports including softball, soccer, weightlifting, and golf, and always loves trying new activities. Originally from Georgia, she attended Florida State University for undergrad and the University of Georgia for grad school.
Her day job is in finance at Whole Foods Market where she champions nourishing the planet. Outside of work, she loves exploring Austin, hiking around Texas, and traveling to new destinations. She brings a positive attitude and a knack for pushing others to their full potential. She loves when fitness and community come together to create a supportive yet challenging environment!
Her classes- upbeat, fun, and focused on getting a great cardio workout.
Lura is passionate about sports, healthy lifestyles, and helping others achieve their goals. She started rowing in 2017 when she and her husband moved to Austin and she has loved Rō Fitness ever since. Lura grew up playing a variety of sports including softball, soccer, weightlifting, and golf, and always loves trying new activities. Originally from Georgia, she attended Florida State University for undergrad and the University of Georgia for grad school.
Her day job is in finance at Whole Foods Market where she champions nourishing the planet. Outside of work, she loves exploring Austin, hiking around Texas, and traveling to new destinations. She brings a positive attitude and a knack for pushing others to their full potential. She loves when fitness and community come together to create a supportive yet challenging environment!
Her classes- upbeat, fun, and focused on getting a great cardio workout.
Cara Rizzo, Instructor
Cara has been a part of the Rō Fitness community since early 2016, drawn to the challenge and excitement of rowing. She loves the balance of strength, cardio, and technical skill rowing requires to set personal records and compete amongst teammates. Look for her out on Lady Bird Lake -- she can often be found working on her on-the-water rowing skills, too! Athletically inclined, she played a wide variety of sports growing up across the US, notably as a state-qualified swimmer and competitive equestrian.
After over 400 classes and more than 2 million meters rowed, she joined the Rō Fitness coaching staff in 2019. A confident leader, she's excited to break down the complexities of rowing to newbies and vets alike and help them achieve their recreational, competitive, or fitness goals. In 2020, she took her rowing skills a step further and currently rows competitively on the water with the Texas Rowing Center.
Her classes: Upbeat, challenging, and always served with a sense of humor.
Cara has been a part of the Rō Fitness community since early 2016, drawn to the challenge and excitement of rowing. She loves the balance of strength, cardio, and technical skill rowing requires to set personal records and compete amongst teammates. Look for her out on Lady Bird Lake -- she can often be found working on her on-the-water rowing skills, too! Athletically inclined, she played a wide variety of sports growing up across the US, notably as a state-qualified swimmer and competitive equestrian.
After over 400 classes and more than 2 million meters rowed, she joined the Rō Fitness coaching staff in 2019. A confident leader, she's excited to break down the complexities of rowing to newbies and vets alike and help them achieve their recreational, competitive, or fitness goals. In 2020, she took her rowing skills a step further and currently rows competitively on the water with the Texas Rowing Center.
Her classes: Upbeat, challenging, and always served with a sense of humor.
Desirae Underwood, Instructor
Desirae has always loved athletics and being outside. She was a runner in Idaho and found rowing in college at Arizona State. She moved to Austin in 2016, and has been so happy to find a rowing community here. Desirae has been a competitive rower with Texas Rowing Center since January of 2021. She loves the fun competitive nature of rowing and the camaraderie it brings. She has found Ro Fitness to be an excellent form of training that complements her training on the water.
Her classes: Bringing power to every stroke is her forte
Desirae has always loved athletics and being outside. She was a runner in Idaho and found rowing in college at Arizona State. She moved to Austin in 2016, and has been so happy to find a rowing community here. Desirae has been a competitive rower with Texas Rowing Center since January of 2021. She loves the fun competitive nature of rowing and the camaraderie it brings. She has found Ro Fitness to be an excellent form of training that complements her training on the water.
Her classes: Bringing power to every stroke is her forte