Our Story
Welcome to Vita Vie Retreat, a fitness and wellness getaway crafted by Margot Rutigliano in 2006. Margot envisioned this retreat as a sanctuary for individuals longing to prioritize self-care. Recognizing the hectic pace of modern life, she understood the importance of carving out time for personal well-being. Practicing as a personal trainer and nutrition coach, she saw the impact that the day to day challenges presented for many of her clients at the time. Aiming to create a healthy haven, Vita Vie Retreat emerged,
offering a respite from the daily grind and a nurturing environment to focus on oneself.
Nestled in a serene beachside setting, Vita Vie Retreat is more than just a getaway; it's a total body wellness experience. Here, guests are invited to unwind and indulge in relaxation while also tending to their health, wellness, and fitness needs. It's a place where the pressures of everyday life fade away, allowing space for inner rejuvenation and renewal.
With a perfect blend of tranquility and vitality, our retreat provides the ideal backdrop for guests to recalibrate and reconnect with themselves inside and out. Whether you're seeking solace, rejuvenation, or inspiration, Vita Vie Retreat offers a holistic approach to wellness that nourishes the mind, body, and soul. Let Vita Vie Retreat be your sanctuary as you relax, recharge, and reignite your passion for a healthier, more vibrant you.
Our Philosophy
At Vita Vie Retreat, we embody the ethos of Better Body, Better Health, Better You™.
Whether you join us for a rejuvenating retreat, seek to elevate your fitness levels, or aim to sculpt your physique, our philosophy centers on achieving total body balance. We advocate for the adoption of a whole health lifestyle to enhance overall well-being, emphasizing the cultivation of healthy habits that enable you to establish attainable goals and sustain your success through manageable lifestyle practices that you can continue well beyond the retreat.
Through a fusion of dynamic strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, mind-body techniques, and flexibility exercises, Vita Vie Retreat is dedicated to nurturing the perfect partnership of physical and mental well-being. Our mission is to inspire and guide you on your journey towards achieving your goals, leaving you feeling revitalized and empowered. We look forward to welcoming you to Vita Vie Retreat.
Real health and vitality comes when we stop comparing and competing with each other, and start listening to the voice within that tells us what we need.
We don’t need to have the “best body;” we need to have our own body.
— Bryan Kest
The Team
Welcome to our team of dedicated professionals! Comprised of encouraging, knowledgeable, and caring individuals, our team includes fitness trainers, yoga practitioners, pilates instructors, other movement practitioners as well as health coaches.
Each member adds their own unique set of skills and perspectives and brings a minimum of eight years of expertise to their respective fields. Nationally certified and insured, our team takes great pride in their work, striving to deliver exceptional results to every client who joins us for a wellness retreat. We are committed to creating a safe and comfortable environment where our guests can thrive, escape from the stressors of everyday life and reach their wellness goals.
Margot Rutigliano
FOUNDER | OWNER
CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH, Pn2, CPT
With 24 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and wellness, Margot founded Vita vie Retreat in 2005 with the vision of providing a sanctuary for individuals to disconnect from life's chaos and focus on holistic self-improvement.
Graduating from the College of Charleston in 1998 with a major in corporate communications, her passion for fitness ignited shortly after college, leading her to become ACE certified in 2000 and subsequently diving into the fitness industry full time. Presently, she holds a certification from ISSA and specializes in functional movement.
In addition, she is a skilled health coach focusing on behavior change and mindset coaching, believing that life thrives on balance. Each individual possesses unique lifestyle circumstances, physiology, and personal preferences, and her mission is to guide them towards sustainable lifestyle changes that are for the long haul - well beyond the present moment.
Additional Certifications:
2002 The Zone - Certified Nutrition Coach
2015 Precision Nutrition - The Science of Nutrition | Coach Level 1
2017 Precision Nutrition - Advanced Nutrition & Behavior Change | Master Nutrition Coach Level 2 (an approved program by the NBHWC - National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches)
2019 Metabolic - Metabolic Optimization Coach
2020 HCCP - Certified Health Coach (an approved program by the NBHWC - National Board of Health & Wellness Coaches)
Mitch Marx
500 hour, E-200 hour, YACEP CERTIFIED YOGA PRACTITIONER | YOGA TEACHER TRAINER
Mitch was introduced to Yoga more than twenty-two years ago and fell in love with the practice. Since that first class, he has made the practice of yoga an integral part of his life and has been teaching yoga for more than 20 years. He has studied Yin Yoga, Iyengar, Anusara and most recently Ashaya styles of yoga.
Mitch is a 500 hour, E-200 hour, and YACEP certified teacher with Yoga Alliance. He is also a licensed Ashaya Yoga Teacher Trainer committed to serving others through connecting to a greater vision. Mitch teaches Ashaya Yoga (an alignment-based style), as well as Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Meditation in classes infused with fun and celebration.
Christine Thomas
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER | PILATES MAT INSTRUCTOR | DANCE INSTRUCTOR
Christine Thomas is certified on mat and equipment in classical Pilates along with a certification for Power Plate and Zumba. Christine currently dances and teaches professionally for several Ballet companies and studios, together with her Pilates, Power Plate and Zumba Instruction. Her Dance training includes: Academy Lidija Franklin, Maria Teresa Ballet School and Nina Novak Academy. Ms. Thomas participated at Jackson International Ballet competition VI and VII. She received 1st place in the summer workshop by the London Ballet in 1995. She danced with National Ballet Juvenile of Venezuela, Ballet Classic of Camara , Tulsa Ballet Theater, Ballet Gamonet, South Florida Ballet Theater and has performed with Ballet Florida. Her repertory includes: Carmen, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Many Balanchine pieces Theme and Variations, Who Cares, Dracula, Romeo and Juliet , The Cyclical Hour among others. She had the chance to work and learn from World renowned Choreographers such as Ben Stevenson (Former director of Houston Ballet), Jimmy Gamonet (Former Resident choreographer of Miami City Ballet), Dwight Rhoden (Artistic Director Of Complexions Company NY) and many more. She has been dancing for over 20 years and teaching it for more than 12 years.
“Christine is so sweet and fun! Her classes were tough yet so enjoyable. Her salsa class felt like a dance party rather than a workout. I really enjoyed learning from her.” Ruth A.
Sarafina Orbe
PILATES | YOGA | BARRE
Hi! I’m Sarafina, or my nephews call me Fi. I am a New Jersey native with a passion for the body in motion. This passion has led me to pursue a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology. In addition to my traditional schooling, I have completed multiple certifications in Pilates, yoga, barre, aerial yoga, pre/post natal fitness, and more. I have worked at some of Sydney, Australia’s top boutique Pilates and yoga studios, this experience inspires many of my classes and training style. My classes are dynamic, beat driven, and empowering. A moving mediation. Additionally, my formal education grants me the ability to work with specialized populations such as cancer patients, clients with chronic illness, cardiac rehab patients, and pre/post natal woman.
Nicholle Sanders
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER | FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT | DANCE | YOGA
Nicholle Sanders is a certified personal trainer with a background in physical therapy and dance. She specializes in mobility, injury prevention, and functional workouts, helping clients build strength and improve overall well-being.
With her experience in physical therapy, Nicholle tailors her approach to meet individual needs, focusing on injury prevention and enhanced mobility. Her dance background adds a unique touch, allowing her to blend various methods for a well-rounded retreat experience.
Nicholle also emphasizes restorative practices, integrating meditation into her Yin Yoga classes to promote relaxation and ease tension. Her holistic approach supports both physical and mental well-being, creating a transformative retreat experience for all participants.
Chloe Carpenter
PERSONAL TRAINER | HEALTH COACH | CUSTOM EXERCISE PROGRAMMING
Hi! I’m Chloe. I’m from New Orleans Louisiana and graduated from Tulane University with two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in Health and Wellness and the other in Exercise Science.
I am an ACE certified personal trainer, AFPA certified Nutrition Coach, AFPA Autoimmune specialist, and 500-hour certified yoga instructor. I have been doing health and fitness coaching for the past seven years and absolutely love everything about it.
My favorite part about being a health coach is teaching people how to heal themselves through natural practices and remedies like whole foods, herbs, movement, nature, kindness, compassion, and love. Sometimes something as simple as self-love practices and helping others can positively impact your health and healing journey.
More About Chloe: Her favorite workouts are usually anything done outside, especially on the beach and barefoot. “I love body weight (calisthenics) full body exercises, I enjoy swimming laps either in a saltwater pool or the ocean, I do as much walking and yoga as possible too; however, I also love hitting the gym and getting in a good weight training session.”
Dr. Stefania Tiveron
ONTARIO BOARD CERTIFIED NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR | CERTIFIED NUTRITION COACH (Pn2) | CERTIFIED METABOLIC OPTIMIZATION COACH
Dr. Stefania Tiveron, ND is registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario and is a member of the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND).
She is also a Precision Nutrition Certified Nutrition Coach (Pn2) and a Certified Metabolic Optimization Coach.
Book a Session: Book Now
Michelle Shaw
CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER | HEALTH COACH | EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
Bio coming soon!
Liz Fullam
CERTIFIED YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Liz Fullam has been a qualified yoga and fitness instructor for over 20 years. Her many certifications include Aerobics Fitness Association of America and Yogafit. She has also trained extensively in Bikram Yoga, Children's Yoga and Chair Yoga. Liz is also qualified as a personal trainer, indoor cycling and water aerobics instructor.
Stephanie Rice
SOCIAL MEDIA | PRESS
Stephanie is a busy Mama of two kiddos and social media junkie. Her passion for helping people combined with her love for all things health and wellness brought her to where she is today.
Stephanie has a unique place at Vita Vie Retreat. She met Margot years ago as a client of hers. She fell in love with the way the Vita Vie Retreat forced you to slow down and really take the time out to focus on your mental and physical well-being. Years later, she is so excited to be a part of the team to combine her passion of social media + health and wellness!
