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.
Sarah Dougherty, Instructor
Sarah started rowing in 2012 at the University of Washington. She was a recruited walk-on from the sport of swimming, and proceeded to pursue rowing after college at the national level. Sarah was a four-time varsity athlete and two-time all American athlete while at Washington. She has four U23 world championships gold medals, won silver at the 2017 World Cup in Poland, and stroked the US Women’s 8+ at the World Championships in 2017.
She has recently retired from competing and has turned to coaching! Sarah’s passionate about nutrition, and loves to guide others towards living their happiest and healthiest lives. Being a Seattle native, she loves hiking, biking, camping and all things outdoors. She also loves big fluffy dogs and hopes to have her own very soon.
Her Classes: Bring your best spirit, a willingness to learn, and a big smile to class and you’ll have a great time!
Sarah started rowing in 2012 at the University of Washington. She was a recruited walk-on from the sport of swimming, and proceeded to pursue rowing after college at the national level. Sarah was a four-time varsity athlete and two-time all American athlete while at Washington. She has four U23 world championships gold medals, won silver at the 2017 World Cup in Poland, and stroked the US Women’s 8+ at the World Championships in 2017.
She has recently retired from competing and has turned to coaching! Sarah’s passionate about nutrition, and loves to guide others towards living their happiest and healthiest lives. Being a Seattle native, she loves hiking, biking, camping and all things outdoors. She also loves big fluffy dogs and hopes to have her own very soon.
Her Classes: Bring your best spirit, a willingness to learn, and a big smile to class and you’ll have a great time!
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!
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!
Meaghan MacLean, Instructor
Meaghan spent the last eight years in New York City running her own successful personal training business as well as being a senior Level-2 CrossFit coach at one of the largest and oldest CrossFit gyms in the country. An avid weightlifter, she also fell in love with the strength and skill components of rowing. So when she relocated to Austin, she was immediately hooked on the energy and technicality of Ro classes.
Meaghan is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and runs her own wellness business. She also holds advanced certifications in mobility and Z-Health neurocentric education for pain and performance. She is driven by her passion to empower others to get strong from the inside out!
Her classes: Energetic and challenging - show yourself you can do things you never thought possible!
Meaghan spent the last eight years in New York City running her own successful personal training business as well as being a senior Level-2 CrossFit coach at one of the largest and oldest CrossFit gyms in the country. An avid weightlifter, she also fell in love with the strength and skill components of rowing. So when she relocated to Austin, she was immediately hooked on the energy and technicality of Ro classes.
Meaghan is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and runs her own wellness business. She also holds advanced certifications in mobility and Z-Health neurocentric education for pain and performance. She is driven by her passion to empower others to get strong from the inside out!
Her classes: Energetic and challenging - show yourself you can do things you never thought possible!
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. She has dabbled in rowing on the water and looks forward to 2020 to balance her indoor rowing with rowing on the water outdoors, as well! 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. 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.
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. She has dabbled in rowing on the water and looks forward to 2020 to balance her indoor rowing with rowing on the water outdoors, as well! 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. 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.
Her classes: Upbeat, challenging, and always served with a sense of humor.
Elizabeth Rowe, Instructor
Elizabeth began rowing at Texas Rowing Center as a freshman in high school. Although she was also an equestrian and competitive mountain biker at the time, she quickly fell in love with being on Ladybird Lake and part of a close-knit team. She became captain of the Varsity Women’s team and wrote about rowing in her college application essay: “Beyond a mere sport, I encountered a community, a way of life, that shattered all my preconceived notions of what women are capable of. Rowing embraces tall, big, muscular, sweaty, tough women: traits that society tells girls they shouldn’t be.”
Elizabeth now rows for Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and joins us for her summer break in Austin. Her favorite moments include getting to see the sunrise over the water or crushing a hard workout on the erg. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys hiking with her dog and cooking vegan meals.
Her classes: Get ready to push yourself, get sweaty, and walk out with a sense of accomplishment!
Elizabeth began rowing at Texas Rowing Center as a freshman in high school. Although she was also an equestrian and competitive mountain biker at the time, she quickly fell in love with being on Ladybird Lake and part of a close-knit team. She became captain of the Varsity Women’s team and wrote about rowing in her college application essay: “Beyond a mere sport, I encountered a community, a way of life, that shattered all my preconceived notions of what women are capable of. Rowing embraces tall, big, muscular, sweaty, tough women: traits that society tells girls they shouldn’t be.”
Elizabeth now rows for Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and joins us for her summer break in Austin. Her favorite moments include getting to see the sunrise over the water or crushing a hard workout on the erg. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys hiking with her dog and cooking vegan meals.
Her classes: Get ready to push yourself, get sweaty, and walk out with a sense of accomplishment!
Brittany Shulman, Instructor
After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Brittany fell in love with fitness. An avid runner, she found her way to indoor rowing in 2016, and has been absolutely hooked ever since. Her rowing addiction even took her to the water -- she completed the Learn to Row course at Austin Rowing Club to further her coaching to all levels in class! Rō has been integral in Brittany’s fitness journey – the interval training paired with her technical focus helped her lose weight, build muscle, and gain confidence. Every time you sit down on an erg, you have a new challenge ahead of you and she’s excited to help others understand their potential and accomplish their goals!
In her spare time, you’ll find Brittany running races, trying new workout classes, or impulsively booking trips to new cities.
Her classes: A focus in on setting goals and how to get the most out of every workout!
After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, Brittany fell in love with fitness. An avid runner, she found her way to indoor rowing in 2016, and has been absolutely hooked ever since. Her rowing addiction even took her to the water -- she completed the Learn to Row course at Austin Rowing Club to further her coaching to all levels in class! Rō has been integral in Brittany’s fitness journey – the interval training paired with her technical focus helped her lose weight, build muscle, and gain confidence. Every time you sit down on an erg, you have a new challenge ahead of you and she’s excited to help others understand their potential and accomplish their goals!
In her spare time, you’ll find Brittany running races, trying new workout classes, or impulsively booking trips to new cities.
Her classes: A focus in on setting goals and how to get the most out of every workout!
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.