Our foundation

At Vita Vie Retreat, we believe wellness starts with making space for yourself. Sometimes that means simply getting away from the demands of everyday life—stepping out of your routine so you can slow down, breathe, move, explore, enjoy yourself, and reconnect with what you need. A retreat is a getaway, a vacation, and an opportunity to experience well-being in a different way.

We don't believe wellness has to mean following more rules or spending every moment being productive. Moving your body, nourishing yourself, relaxing, being in nature, trying something new, enjoying a great meal, quieting your mind, or simply doing nothing for a while can all be part of feeling well. Our retreats bring together movement, mindset, nourishment, relaxation, and meaningful experiences while leaving room for you to choose what feels right for you.

Because ultimately, wellness isn't one-size-fits-all—and it shouldn't feel like another thing on your to-do list. We invite you to step away, enjoy the experience, listen to yourself, and discover what makes you feel your best. And hopefully, you'll take a little of that feeling home with you.

Real health and vitality come when we stop comparing and competing with each other, and start listening to the voice within that tells us what we need.
— Bryan Kest

MEET THE TEAM

 

Meet The Founder

Margot Rutigliano
Founder & Owner, Vita Vie Retreat

My journey into wellness began shortly after graduating college in 1998. What started with a passion for fitness eventually became a 25+ year career in fitness, nutrition, health coaching, and wellness—and ultimately led me to create Vita Vie Retreat in 2005.

Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of people through personal training, nutrition coaching, health coaching, and wellness retreats. And while the industry has changed quite a bit since I first became a personal trainer, one thing has become increasingly clear to me: there is no single approach to wellness that works for everyone.

Understanding that we each have our own physiology, psychology, lifestyle circumstances, experiences, and preferences. What works beautifully for one person may not work at all for another. That belief has shaped the way I coach and the way I’ve evolved Vita Vie over the years—from a traditional fitness retreat into a more holistic wellness experience centered around movement, mindset, well-being, and meaningful experiences.

My work today focuses heavily on behavior change, mindset, and learning to understand the signals our bodies and minds are giving us. I’m particularly interested in the intersection of neuroscience, behavior, and sustainable lifestyle change—because lasting wellness isn't about following more rules. It’s about developing a better understanding of yourself and learning how to make choices that actually fit your life.

That philosophy is at the heart of everything I create, whether through Vita Vie Retreat, my coaching work, or the Mind Body Lab. My goal is to make wellness feel less complicated, more personal, and more sustainable—so the changes you make aren't just something you do for a little while, but something you can genuinely live with.

A few of my credentials include:

Certified Health Coach — HCCP, an NBHWC-approved program

Precision Nutrition Level 1 — The Science of Nutrition

Precision Nutrition Level 2 — Master Nutrition Coach, Advanced Nutrition & Behavior Change

Certified Metabolic Optimization Coach

Certified Personal Trainer

Certified Nutrition Coach — The Zone

I’m so glad you’re here.

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.

Dr. Stefania Tiveron

ONTARIO BOARD CERTIFIED NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR | CERTIFIED NUTRITION COACH (Pn2) | CERTIFIED METABOLIC OPTIMIZATION COACH |
CONTRIBUTOR

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.

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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. 

 

Michelle Shaw

CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER | HEALTH COACH | EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

Michelle Shaw has been part of the Vita Vie Retreat family for more than 15 years, bringing her passion for movement, health, and helping others feel strong and capable to every retreat experience.

An avid runner and lifelong athlete, Michelle was a collegiate diver and earned her degree in Exercise Physiology from Purdue University. Her career has included working with professional sports teams and athletes, along with years of experience as a personal trainer, movement coach, and strength and conditioning coach. She brings a deep understanding of how the body moves and what it takes to build strength, mobility, endurance, and confidence.

Michelle's approach goes beyond exercise. With a background in behavior change and certification as a Health Coach through an NBHWC-approved program, she understands that lasting wellness isn't just about knowing what to do—it's about finding ways to make healthy choices work in real life. She genuinely loves supporting people, meeting them where they are, and helping them discover movement that makes them feel stronger, more energized, and more connected to their bodies.

Today, Michelle lives an active, health-focused lifestyle in Colorado with her family. Whether she's running, exploring the outdoors, training, or working with others, she embodies the active and balanced approach to wellness that she brings to Vita Vie.

Ola Avedissian

CERTIFIED PILATES | YOGA | FITNESS

I first discovered yoga in my late 20s - completely by accident. I was on my way to a Pilates class when I impulsively stopped at a hot yoga studio offering a class in Spanish. It turned out to be 90 minutes of pure intensity. Even though I had always considered myself strong and active - I ran, I lifted, I lived at the gym - I found myself flat on the floor, overwhelmed and amazed. I couldn’t believe what the people around me were doing in that heat. I laughed, I struggled, and somehow, I came back the next day. Then again. And again.

What started as a physical challenge quickly evolved into something much deeper. I fell in love with how these practices made me feel - not just in my body, but in my mind and heart. I began to understand my body’s needs, tap into intuition, and connect to a sense of purpose I didn’t even know I was looking for.

Over the years, my movement journey expanded. Pilates became my foundation, yoga my grounding, barre my structure, and fitness my spark. I now teach an integrative method that blends strength, grace, precision, and mindfulness. Whether I’m guiding a client through a reformer sequence, a sweaty sculpt session, or a restorative flow, my intention is always the same: to help people come home to themselves, one breath and one movement at a time.

Chloe Carpenter

PERSONAL TRAINER | HEALTH COACH | CONTRIBUTOR

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.”