CHRISTA DORAN (she/her)
MS, SFGII, SFB, SFL
Founder, Owner, Coach
Christa Doran is the owner and founder of Tuff Girl Fitness. Since 2002 she has worked in the fitness industry and witnessed a multitude of things she didn’t agree with, and wanted to do differently. She knows that women need a safe and supportive community where they can show up, as they are, and leave better.
At Tuff Girl the “go hard or go home” and “no pain no gain” mantras don’t exist. You can show up any way, on any day, even your worst ones, and be met where you are at. She learned these lessons when her daughter Lea died from a brain tumor in 2018. Showing up to train on her darkest days helped and continues to help her move through the grief and trauma of burying her child.
Now, in addition to inspiring hundreds of women to feel stronger in their bodies and minds, Christa is teaching the lessons Lea taught her: that bravery is showing up, even when you are scared; that power comes not from avoiding pain, but from naming it and living unapologetically as you are. Christa lives in Hamden with Mike, their daughters, Livia and Keira, and their golden retriever Nova.
“I want women to realize that they are more powerful than they realize. I want them to see that they have worth and value and a voice that needs to be heard. I want them to learn that they can love their body and still want to change it… and then I want to help support them as they make positive changes to their lives and live bravely ...with purpose and passion.
MIKE DORAN (he/him)
founder, owner, coach
Most know Mike as Christa’s husband… but this man is in a league of his own! When you work with Mike you can be guaranteed expert coaching and support, a lineup of his favorite jokes and witty banter, and some weird dance moves.
Mike knows the power that comes from being strong. He knows that being strong allows you the opportunity to do so much more with your life. In Mikes case, playing with his daughters, moving mulch and wheelbarrows stone… and trying to keep up with his wife, who wrote this bio.
When Mike is not coaching, you will find him grilling or smoking meat, mowing his lawn (one of his sources of pride and joy), or getting his hands dirty in his garden.
HILLARY MAXSON (she/her)
MS, CSCS,
coach
With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s in Exercise Science and Nutrition, Hillary Maxson knows all there is to know about training at Tuff Girl. She’s an avid runner who competed in both high school and college and still races today. She loves to run – so much so, in fact – that she even does it when she’s off the clock. Keep an eye out for Hillary along the shoreline of Old Saybrook where she lives with her husband Matt, son Logan and daughter Ella.
If you train alongside Hillary while sporting some New Balance kicks, she’ll be able to drop mad shoe knowledge on you. She used to work for New Balance and had the chance to check out the New Balance Performance Lab in Massachusetts.
LINDSAY WASHBOND (she/her)
acsm-cpt, crossfit l1, precision nutrition certified, GGS Pre & Postnatal Coach
Lindsay grew up with the belief that she couldn’t be strong and powerful because of her slender frame. She never considered herself “sporty” or athletic, but when she finally decided to try weight training, it changed her life. For the first time ever, she felt powerful and capable. It changed the way she approached challenges in her life, and how she viewed her body.
Lindsay embodies our mission and shares our values, but she also has years of experience as a group strength coach. In 2017 she became a CrossFit L1 coach and an ACSM personal trainer because "I wanted to guide people through their own fitness journeys. I wanted to empower people who may not feel like they “look the part” to embrace their strength and realize just how capable they are." In 2018, she became a certified nutrition coach with Precision Nutrition because she wanted to better support her clients holistically, and help them discover what is possible when fueling the body well.
When Lindsay is not at Tuff Girl, you will find her walking one of her two dogs around town, or enjoying the outdoors with her husband Noah.
"There is nothing that brings me more joy than to help others become healthier, happier versions of themselves." - Coach Lindsay
CAITLYN MEINDL
(she/her)
Coach
While Caitlyn has been working as a fitness coach for three years, she started off her early career in film and television, working on freelance film projects ranging from short films, to commercials, to wedding shoots and music videos.
Caitlyn’s passion for health and fitness started early through her many years of playing sports, including swimming on varsity through high school. After that, she became interested in bodybuilding and continued her education in fitness through her own research and in 2020 while still pursuing her film career, became a certified personal trainer.
Her work in health and fitness has also inspired her to go back to school for physical therapy. When she is not coaching or studying, Caitlyn might be found rock climbing, binging Harry Potter (she can recite almost every line from the Chamber of Secrets!) or competing in film competitions.
“I love being able to prioritize my love for meaningful human connections in this space and use it as a means to help others feel comfortable, understood and empowered.”
VERRED HAMENAHEM (she/her)
ERYT500, RYPT
Coach
Verred is a teacher through and through. She has been teaching yoga and meditation for more than a decade and recently began teaching Kindergarten.
She believes that when we train we are not only building strength and agility, but presence and resilience for our bodies and minds.
Verred has been training with us at Tuff Girl for over ten years and comes to us not only with a passion for teaching, but as a coach with a solid knowledge of anatomy and mobility. She will always encourage you to build your awareness post work out and calm your nervous system before leaving the gym as she wholeheartedly believes in the importance of balancing our strength with softness.
Verred lives in Bethany. With her husband Zev, her two year old daughter, Aurelia and her 10 year old chiweenie named Luna. Verred is currently growing another addition to her family, set to arrive in April of 2024.
“I love when I work with people and they begin to learn that in awareness lies CHOICE, which is a very powerful understanding.”