Meet the Instructors
Chelsea Moore, Co-Founder, Instructor, Chief Everything Officer
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.
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.
Lauren Eckles, Instructor
Lauren found her passion for rowing after she joined the rowing team at The Ohio State University in 2010 as a novice. She spent four years rowing competitively with the team and earning a few (national) championships along the way. After graduating and suffering a major injury in 2014, she returned to rowing in 2019 as not only a participant but also a coach. Lauren has coached indoor rowing classes for over 2 years and has logged millions of meters doing so.
Her favorite part about rowing is helping people realize their potential in a new sport to most. Nothing more exciting than watching it “click” for new rowers. The energy, competitiveness and camaraderie in rowing is unmatched!
Her Classes: Focused on technique, encouraging and enthusiastic!
Lauren found her passion for rowing after she joined the rowing team at The Ohio State University in 2010 as a novice. She spent four years rowing competitively with the team and earning a few (national) championships along the way. After graduating and suffering a major injury in 2014, she returned to rowing in 2019 as not only a participant but also a coach. Lauren has coached indoor rowing classes for over 2 years and has logged millions of meters doing so.
Her favorite part about rowing is helping people realize their potential in a new sport to most. Nothing more exciting than watching it “click” for new rowers. The energy, competitiveness and camaraderie in rowing is unmatched!
Her Classes: Focused on technique, encouraging and enthusiastic!
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!
Lizsy Hiebel, Instructor
Lizsy started rowing in 2011 as a high school freshman in Minnesota. After competing in the Youth National Championships she was recruited directly to the varsity team at the University of Minnesota, where her team earned a silver medal at the Big Ten Championships in 2018.
Lizsy coached her old high school rowing team during her college summers and also worked at a small gym in Minnesota, before the big move to Austin. Her love for rowing and working with people through their fitness journey has brought her to Rō.
Being new to Austin she is looking for the best coffee shop in town... If you have an recs let her know!
Her Classes: Come ready to improve your best and enjoy the music!
Lizsy started rowing in 2011 as a high school freshman in Minnesota. After competing in the Youth National Championships she was recruited directly to the varsity team at the University of Minnesota, where her team earned a silver medal at the Big Ten Championships in 2018.
Lizsy coached her old high school rowing team during her college summers and also worked at a small gym in Minnesota, before the big move to Austin. Her love for rowing and working with people through their fitness journey has brought her to Rō.
Being new to Austin she is looking for the best coffee shop in town... If you have an recs let her know!
Her Classes: Come ready to improve your best and enjoy the music!
Katie Kidder, Instructor
Originally a lifelong competitive swimmer, Katie transitioned to rowing in 2012. She rowed for four years at UCLA, and continued athletics in all forms after graduating in 2016. She has spent the following years doing everything from running to cycling and yoga, and when she moved to Austin in 2019, she reunited with rowing after finding Rō.
Her favorite thing about rowing is the technicality required, combined with the endless potential to achieve something new, every day. She is excited to help others stay fit and keep crushing their goals!
Her classes: Top 40 playlists and a focus on doing your best -- but also having some fun through tough workouts!
Originally a lifelong competitive swimmer, Katie transitioned to rowing in 2012. She rowed for four years at UCLA, and continued athletics in all forms after graduating in 2016. She has spent the following years doing everything from running to cycling and yoga, and when she moved to Austin in 2019, she reunited with rowing after finding Rō.
Her favorite thing about rowing is the technicality required, combined with the endless potential to achieve something new, every day. She is excited to help others stay fit and keep crushing their goals!
Her classes: Top 40 playlists and a focus on doing your best -- but also having some fun through tough workouts!
Wladi Montoya, Instructor
Wladi's passion for coaching started 22 years ago as a young swimmer. "I remember sitting next to my coach and asking him every possible question. I wanted to know about technique, split times, and any way I could be better. Looking back, I realize I was interested in swimming itself, and even more interested in my coach because I could see his greatness. I wanted to be just like him."
He spent 14 years swimming, reaching a collegiate competitive level. After, he spent another 9 years competing in CrossFit, reaching a regional competitive level. He began coaching Crossfit in 2011, is currently a Level 2 Crossfit coach and has a multitude of Crossfit certifications, including powerlifting and goal setting. In competing and coaching, he discovered the addictive nature of rowing and followed the passion to Rō Fitness.
His classes: Energetic, enthusiastic, and technical. Wladi's true passion is in human connection and creating space for those around him to see greatness in themselves. "I can’t wait for you to try one of my classes...BOOM!"
Wladi's passion for coaching started 22 years ago as a young swimmer. "I remember sitting next to my coach and asking him every possible question. I wanted to know about technique, split times, and any way I could be better. Looking back, I realize I was interested in swimming itself, and even more interested in my coach because I could see his greatness. I wanted to be just like him."
He spent 14 years swimming, reaching a collegiate competitive level. After, he spent another 9 years competing in CrossFit, reaching a regional competitive level. He began coaching Crossfit in 2011, is currently a Level 2 Crossfit coach and has a multitude of Crossfit certifications, including powerlifting and goal setting. In competing and coaching, he discovered the addictive nature of rowing and followed the passion to Rō Fitness.
His classes: Energetic, enthusiastic, and technical. Wladi's true passion is in human connection and creating space for those around him to see greatness in themselves. "I can’t wait for you to try one of my classes...BOOM!"
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. She's taken 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. She's taken 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.
Andrés Sanchez, Instructor
Andrés, a self-proclaimed cardio enthusiast, uses rowing as an addition to his daily meditation practice, along with hiking, running and swimming. He found Rō as a way to enjoy awesome cardio workouts in a group setting with fun people and great music and has been hooked ever since. Andrés loves that rowing can provide you with a killer, full-body workout regardless of your fitness level.
Outside of Rō, Andrés is an herbalist and intuitive coach who is passionate about holistic health and the healing that occurs when we focus on the connections between the mind, body and spirit.
Andrés is here to push you with a friendly smile, some dance music and a lot of hard work! Find your joy!
His classes: Super fun, challenging, and totally encouraging.
Andrés, a self-proclaimed cardio enthusiast, uses rowing as an addition to his daily meditation practice, along with hiking, running and swimming. He found Rō as a way to enjoy awesome cardio workouts in a group setting with fun people and great music and has been hooked ever since. Andrés loves that rowing can provide you with a killer, full-body workout regardless of your fitness level.
Outside of Rō, Andrés is an herbalist and intuitive coach who is passionate about holistic health and the healing that occurs when we focus on the connections between the mind, body and spirit.
Andrés is here to push you with a friendly smile, some dance music and a lot of hard work! Find your joy!
His classes: Super fun, challenging, and totally encouraging.
Brittany Shulman, Instructor
After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015, Brittany fell in love with fitness. An avid runner, she found her way to Rō in 2016, and has been hooked ever since. She believes everyone can do hard things (ask her about the time she ran a marathon with bronchitis), and she loves to make you dig a little deeper. The camaraderie of the Rō community plus the killer workouts keep her coming back.
Outside of Rō, Brittany works full-time as a marketing strategist. When she's not in the studio, lifting at the gym, or running on the trail, you'll find her trying new coffee shops, petting strangers' dogs, and impulsively booking her next trip.
Her classes: Big on setting goals and crushing them, lots of bad puns, and a pop punk soundtrack.
After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015, Brittany fell in love with fitness. An avid runner, she found her way to Rō in 2016, and has been hooked ever since. She believes everyone can do hard things (ask her about the time she ran a marathon with bronchitis), and she loves to make you dig a little deeper. The camaraderie of the Rō community plus the killer workouts keep her coming back.
Outside of Rō, Brittany works full-time as a marketing strategist. When she's not in the studio, lifting at the gym, or running on the trail, you'll find her trying new coffee shops, petting strangers' dogs, and impulsively booking her next trip.
Her classes: Big on setting goals and crushing them, lots of bad puns, and a pop punk soundtrack.
Hailey Shuster, Instructor
Raised in northwest Austin, Hailey grew up playing every sport under the sun throughout high school. She attended the University of Texas at Austin in 2017, which is where she started her love for running and continued playing sports through intramurals. Hailey picked up rowing in early 2019 and quickly latched onto the technique, balanced with the competitiveness of the sport. She also does a lot of kickboxing and other group fitness around Austin. If it has to do with fitness, she’s willing to try it!
Hailey works full-time for a software company in north Austin, but in her spare time she runs a small custom baking business too. When not at Rō you can find Hailey cooking, running, walking her pit bull on town lake, or jumping on a trampoline.
Her classes: Prepare to sweat a lot, groove to the music, and push yourself to the next level.
Raised in northwest Austin, Hailey grew up playing every sport under the sun throughout high school. She attended the University of Texas at Austin in 2017, which is where she started her love for running and continued playing sports through intramurals. Hailey picked up rowing in early 2019 and quickly latched onto the technique, balanced with the competitiveness of the sport. She also does a lot of kickboxing and other group fitness around Austin. If it has to do with fitness, she’s willing to try it!
Hailey works full-time for a software company in north Austin, but in her spare time she runs a small custom baking business too. When not at Rō you can find Hailey cooking, running, walking her pit bull on town lake, or jumping on a trampoline.
Her classes: Prepare to sweat a lot, groove to the music, and push yourself to the next level.
Nicole Sislen, Instructor
Nicole is an energizer bunny! She is always on the move. She is a full-time Realtor and mom. When she isn’t busy showing homes or chasing a toddler around the house, she is either rowing, running, swimming or salsa dancing with her husband.
Nicole’s sister, Coach Samantha Tucker, introduced her to Rō Fitness in 2017. Nicole fell in love with the high intensity workouts, the energetic music, and the supportive environment that makes up Rō Fitness classes. After countless classes, her appreciation for the incredible full-body workout built up into a desire to join her sister and coach!
Her classes: Energetic, encouraging, fun and vying for the 'best playlist' title, so feedback is always welcome :)
Nicole is an energizer bunny! She is always on the move. She is a full-time Realtor and mom. When she isn’t busy showing homes or chasing a toddler around the house, she is either rowing, running, swimming or salsa dancing with her husband.
Nicole’s sister, Coach Samantha Tucker, introduced her to Rō Fitness in 2017. Nicole fell in love with the high intensity workouts, the energetic music, and the supportive environment that makes up Rō Fitness classes. After countless classes, her appreciation for the incredible full-body workout built up into a desire to join her sister and coach!
Her classes: Energetic, encouraging, fun and vying for the 'best playlist' title, so feedback is always welcome :)
Rylie Wargo, Instructor
Rylie started rowing back in 2015 for the University of Minnesota. With little rowing experience and knowledge, she worked her way up to reaching 2 all conference honors. Towards the end of college, Rylie decided to move over to London to pursue a Masters degree. Due to COVID-19, she made the decision to move back to the states and continue her program online while making the big move to Austin.
She joins Rō to continue her passion and love for the sport. Besides rowing, Rylie is passionate about hiking, rollerblading, spending time with her friends and family, and most of all DOGS. She is in the market for a pupper (when the time is right, of course).
Her classes: Fresh tunes and friendly vibes!
Rylie started rowing back in 2015 for the University of Minnesota. With little rowing experience and knowledge, she worked her way up to reaching 2 all conference honors. Towards the end of college, Rylie decided to move over to London to pursue a Masters degree. Due to COVID-19, she made the decision to move back to the states and continue her program online while making the big move to Austin.
She joins Rō to continue her passion and love for the sport. Besides rowing, Rylie is passionate about hiking, rollerblading, spending time with her friends and family, and most of all DOGS. She is in the market for a pupper (when the time is right, of course).
Her classes: Fresh tunes and friendly vibes!